Mann Ki Baat: Democracy is in Our Veins & Culture, Says PM; Hails 'People's' Padma Awards | Highlights

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed his first Mann Ki Baat for the year 2023 on Sunday. It was the 97^th edition of the monthly radio programme that the Prime Minister addresses. PM’s last Mann Ki Baat was held on December 25, 2022.

From 2023 Padma Awards to Indian Democracy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about an array of issues and highlighted the importance of protecting our biodiversity and carrying out proper e-waste disposal in his half-hour address.

MANN KI BAAT HIGHLIGHTS: 

• PM hailed Padma award winners and said sizeable number of Padma Awardees this year were from the tribal community. “Sizeable number of Padma awardees come from tribal communities & people associated with tribal society. Tribal life is different from city life; it also has its own challenges. Despite all this, tribal societies are always eager to preserve their traditions,” PM Modi said
• PM said echos of Padma Awards were also heard in Naxal affected areas this time
• Speaking about tribal communities, Prime Minister Modi said, “efforts are also made to preserve and research aspects related to tribal communities. Similarly, many great personalities who have worked on tribal languages like Toto, Ho, Kui, Kuvi and Manda have received Padma Awards”
• Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav: PM Modi spoke about Republic Day celebrations and said, “during the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, I will also mention an interesting book here… The name of this book is India – The Mother of Democracy”
• PM spoke about the history of Democracy in India and said, “Democracy is in our veins, it is in our culture – it has been an integral part of our work for centuries. By nature, we are a Democratic Society. Dr. Ambedkar had compared the Buddhist monks’ union to the Indian Parliament”
• Prime Minister speaks on importance of Millets: Hailing Milletpreneurs in Odisha, PM said 2023 will be International Year for Millets. PM mentioned the names of people from different states who have dedicated their professional lives to promote ‘millet-made’ food, particularly women from Odisha
• Odisha’s Milletpreneurs: PM Modi said Milletpreneurs in Odisha are making headlines. They are women’s self-help group of the tribal district Sundargarh and are associated with the Odisha Millets Mission. They make biscuits, cakes and other eatables from millets
• PM on Yoga, Millets: “United Nations has taken the decision of both International Yoga Day and International Year of Millets after India’s proposal. Yoga is also related to health and millets also play an important role in health,” PM Modi said
• PM on adopting the millet lifestyle: Prime Minister Modi said, “A revolution is on the way because of public participation in both campaigns. Just as people have made yoga and fitness a part of their lives by taking active participation on a large scale; similarly, people are adopting millet on a large”
• PM Modi on G-20 Summit: “Today G-20 summit events are going on in every corner of India and I am happy that in every corner of the country, wherever the G-20 summit is being held, nutritious and tasty dishes made from millets are included in it. Dishes like Bajra-khichdi, poha, kheer and roti, as well as Ragi-based payasam, puri and dosa are also served here. Health drinks, cereals and noodles made from millets were showcased in the Millets Exhibitions at all G20 venues,” PM Modi said
• Indian Patent Filing: The Prime Minister hailed India’s patent filing record and said India currently ranks 7th in patent filing and 5th in trademarks. He said there has been an 50% increase in patent filing in the last five years. “For the first time in the last 11 years in India, the number of Domestic Patent Filing was seen more than Foreign Filing. It also shows the growing scientific prowess of India,” PM Modi said
• Global Innovation Index: PM Modi spoke about India’s achievements in the Global Innovation Index. He said India’s ranking has improved tremendously and now it has reached 40th position, while in 2015, India was behind at the 80th position in the Global Innovation Index
• Goa’s Purple Fest: PM Modi praised the Purple Fest that was organized in Panaji, Goa from 6 to 8 January. “This was a unique effort in itself for the welfare of the divyangs. More than 50,000 people participated in it. People were thrilled about the fact that they could now enjoy the Miramar Beach to the fullest,” PM said
• E-Waste Disposal: PM Modi spoke about effective disposal of e-waste and said proper disposal of e-waste can become a great force to build a circular economy.”Whenever someone replaces their old device, it becomes necessary to keep in mind whether it is discarded properly or not. If E-Waste is not disposed, it can also harm our environment. If done carefully, it can become a great force in Circular Economy of Recycle and Reuse,” PM said
• Preserving Biodiversity: PM Modi said Wetlands are very important for the existence of our earth, because many birds and animals depend on them. Along with enriching Biodiversity, they also ensure Flood control and Ground Water Recharge
• Snow Cricket in Kashmir: PM Modi spoke about ‘heavenly’ pictures of the snow-covered Jammu and Kashmir and urged people to view the winter games organised in Syedabad, Kashmir. He spoke about Snow Cricket and urged people to take part.

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