PM Modi delivers 'Mann ki Baat' speech, highlights 'vocal for local' initiave ahead of Diwali

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday delivered his 'Mann ki Baat' speech, marking 12 years of the initiative. He pitched the 'Vocal for Local' initiative ahead of the upcoming Diwali festival, saying Indians have started giving significance to indigenous goods during festivals.

During this festive season, you must all have noticed a change around you, he said, adding that people have started giving a lot of importance to indigenous products while shopping. This spirit of 'Vocal for Local' is taking Indian products to markets around the world.

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"Bihar's Makhana and Karnataka's Arhar Dal are finding new markets across the world. Maharashtra's tribal products are gaining recognition through packaging that reflects the richness of tribal art. The popularity of Khadi is growing, supporting the artisans whose skills keep our traditions alive. Let's strengthen Vocal for Local by choosing products made by our local artisans," he said.

The prime minister highlighted that the initiative has served as an opportunity to celebrate the hard work, courage, commitment, dedication and spirit of service of the common man of our country.

Addressing the 139th Episode of Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi said, "12 years ago, on the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami, we began 'Mann Ki Baat'. Since then, our journey has continued uninterrupted. All of you have been both fellow travellers and guides on this journey. For me, 'Mann Ki Baat' has been a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the hard work, courage, commitment, dedication and spirit of service of the common man of our country."

Highlighting India's centuries-old tradition of pilgrimages, he said 'Mann Ki Baat' is not less than a pilgrimage, it is a journey to closely understand the efforts of people of the country and to pay tribute to their contributions.

He also made a pitch for cleanliness, saying, "The sacred festivals of Diwali and Chhath are just a few days away. Cleanliness campaigns are being run from place to place. It's important that we keep those places clean where we live."

PM highlights new initiatives

PM Modi also highlighted the revival of traditional agricultural practices in Punjab's Malwa region through the 'Nav-Trinjan' initiative.

"Our country has many traditional skills that have been part of our identity for generations. What is heartening is that these traditions are now inspiring new experiments. They are being adapted to meet the needs of the present day. One such initiative has been underway in Punjab for quite some time. An organisation called 'Kheti Virasat Mission' began reviving organic farming and traditional agricultural practices. Members of its team wanted to promote natural cotton cultivation in Punjab's Malwa region. The initiative was named 'Nav-Trinjan'. Under this initiative, organic cotton is grown without using chemicals. Naturally coloured cotton is also cultivated here," he said.

On efforts to preserve traditional weaving skills, he noted that 'Nav-Trinjan' had also established a weaving school to pass the craft on to younger generations.

"A few years ago, 'Nav-Trinjan' also started a weaving school. Its aim is to pass the skill of weaving on to the next generation. This school has transformed the lives of many women," he added.

PM Modi also mentioned a community-led initiative to revive the Heval River in Uttarakhand's Tehri Garhwal region.

"In the Tehri Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, people have come together in an effort to breathe new life into a river—the 'Heval'. Some time ago, the water level in the Heval River began to decline, and nearby natural water sources were also drying up. In response, the local administration and the villagers joined forces to launch a campaign to save the river," he said at Mann ki Baat.

He noted that the campaign involved rainwater conservation, groundwater recharge and large-scale tree plantation.

"During this initiative, measures were taken to capture rainwater, facilitate groundwater recharge, and plant a large number of trees. Today, as a result of these efforts, the Heval River has been revitalised, and dozens of natural water sources have also been restored," he added.