 "Mann ki Baat")
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 15th edition of the radio programme Mann Ki Baat, aired on Sunday, remained in line with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government’s campaigns such as Swachh Bharat and Start-Up India, Stand Up India, a project that will be launched on January 16. Although a large number of questions sent to mygov.in, a discussion forum floated by the government, revolved around the PM’s visit to Pakistan, Modi did not bring it up.
Among the few ideas that the PM picked up from inputs received from the masses was one on keeping places of tourist interest clean through the Swachh Bharat project. “As you know, I use technology a lot. And I do keep an eye on mygov.in…. I agree Swachh Bharat should be a focus area, especially in tourist destinations.” To continue the initiative, Modi wants people of this country to clean up statues of national leaders across the country on January 26.
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While pointing out the action plan for Start-Up India, Stand Up India will be unveiled on January 16, Modi said Indian Institues of Technology and other universities will be connected live for the event. Modi wants India to be the start-up capital of the world.
Asking people to connect with him through the Narendra Modi app and via mygov.in, the PM sought citizens’ views on anything from Swachh Bharat to inspirational examples of charity and bravery; ideas for the national youth festival at Raipur on Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary to thoughts on duty and responsibility. “Why should we not discuss duties and responsibilities in schools and colleges and other places on Republic Day?”
Focusing on the issue of “disability”, Modi urged the nation to use divyaang instead of viklaang for the disabled. The government on its part would work on strengthening physical and virtual infrastructure for such people.
Modi said government schemes should have soul and not remain in files, and said India’s direct transfer of subsidies has made it to the Guinness World Records. Around Rs 40,000 crore has been given out under 35 to 40 schemes, he said.
Modi sprang a surprise by speaking about 65-year-old Dileep Singh Malviya, a mason living in a village nearly 800 km from the national capital, for undertaking a mission to build toilets free of cost.
In the radio address, the PM said Malviya has built 100 toilets in Bhojpura village. “My heartfelt congratulations to Dileep Singh Malviya. We hear pessimistic views about the country sometimes. But there are hundreds of such Dileep Singhs who are in their own way doing good for the country. They are the strength of the country.”
Malviya, when asked about the address, said he had taken up the initiative as most houses in his village did not have a toilet, and women and children were facing a very hard time as a result. “Diseases were spreading. So I took it upon myself to convince every family that they should build a toilet,” Malaviya said. “The whole village is involved in this mission and we are grateful to the Pm Minister for recognising it and praising it,” Malviya said. The Pm Minister often refers to initiatives by people in different parts of the country during his address.
