Mann ki Baat: PM Modi thanks voters, EC for Lok Sabha Polls

New Delhi: After a three month hiatus due to the Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's monthly 'Mann ki Baat' returned on Sunday in which he thanked the voters and the Election Commission of India for the smooth process of electing a new government in which 65 crore voters took part.

Modi also discussed various issues, including the contribution of tribal leaders in fighting the British and the popularity of yoga across the world. In his monthly address that was discontinued in February when the Model Code of Conduct for the general elections kicked in, the PM hailed the sacrifice of tribal leaders during British rule. "June 30th is a very important day. Our tribal brothers and sisters celebrate this day as 'Hool Divas'. This day is associated with the indomitable courage of Veer Sidhu-Kanhu, who strongly opposed the atrocities of the foreign rulers. Veer Sidhu-Kanhu united thousands of Santhal compatriots and fought the British with all their might," Modi said, recalling the bravery of the two tribal leaders from Santhal Pargana in Jharkhand who led a rebellion in 1855, two years before the First War of Independence, and were martyred.

With the Paris Olympics slated to begin in July, the PM expressed the hope that the Indian contingent- which has sports persons participating in some events for the first time- will outperform its Tokyo Olympics achievements.