PrintFriendly
120th Episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 30 March 2025 in his 120th Episode of monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’, addressed the nation on the auspicious occasion of Chaitra Navratri and the beginning of the Indian New Year (Vikram Samvat 2082), extending festive greetings in multiple regional languages. Excerpts:
Opening his address with a warm “Namaskar,” the Prime Minister highlighted the convergence of various regional New Year festivals such as Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Vishu, Puthandu, Navreh, and Rongali Bihu. These festivals show how unity is woven into the diversity of India, he noted, urging citizens to preserve and nurture this spirit of togetherness.
As exams conclude and schools prepare for summer vacations, PM Shri Modi encouraged children to utilize their time constructively. Drawing on nostalgic memories of his own childhood summers, he motivated students to explore new hobbies, enroll in summer camps, and engage in volunteer work. “Summer is the time to learn, grow and contribute,” he said. The Prime Minister also introduced the special MY-Bharat summer calendar, offering opportunities such as study tours to Jan Aushadhi Kendras, cultural events, and padyatras to commemorate Ambedkar Jayanti.
Addressing water conservation, Shri Modi emphasized the importance of the ‘Catch the Rain’ campaign, reminding listeners of their role in safeguarding natural resources. Citing impressive statistics, he revealed that over the last 7–8 years, more than 11 billion cubic metres of water have been conserved through grassroots efforts across India — more than the water held by the massive Govind Sagar Lake of the Bhakra Nangal Dam.
He commended the villagers of Gadag, Karnataka, who collectively revived a dried-up lake, transforming it into a symbol of community resilience and environmental stewardship. Encouraging such initiatives, he suggested keeping water in earthen pots for passersby and birds during the scorching summer months, calling it a punya karma — a virtuous act.
The Prime Minister also spotlighted the Khelo India Para Games, congratulating participants for their record-breaking performances and growing popularity. Notably, 18 national records were broken during the event, 12 of them by women athletes. He shared an emotional letter from gold medal-winning arm wrestler Joby Mathew, who wrote about the daily struggles and triumphs of para-athletes, stating, “We believe that we are no less than anyone else.”
Fitness remained a key theme as Shri Modi lauded the success of the first-ever Fit India Carnival in Delhi, where over 25,000 participants gathered to promote health, nutrition, and well-being. He urged citizens to organize similar events in their communities with support from the MY-Bharat platform.
Highlighting India’s rich heritage, he spoke about the rising popularity of indigenous martial arts like Kalaripayattu, Gatka, and Thang-Ta, especially through modern cultural expressions such as rapper Hanumankind’s new song “Run It Up.” He praised these efforts for introducing India’s ancient traditions to global audiences.
Shri Modi also raised a pressing environmental issue — textile waste. Calling it a global challenge, he noted that India ranks third in generating textile waste, but is also emerging as a leader in sustainable fashion. He spotlighted efforts in cities like Panipat, Bengaluru, and Tirupur, which are making strides in textile recycling, wastewater treatment, and the use of renewable energy. He praised startups and organizations transforming old clothes into usable goods, from handbags to children’s toys.
He concluded the episode by urging citizens to share stories from their communities, saying, “Something that may seem normal to you could be inspirational to others.”