Mann ki Baat: PM Narendra Modi lauds adoption of Khadi by Indians

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his monthly address to the nation " Mann ki Baat", said that the programme has established close links with the people of India.

He said that his appeal to the people of India to adopt Khadi yielded positive results as sale of Khadi on Dhanteras and Diwali spiked.

On the occasion of Dhanteras, Delhi's Khadi Gramodyog recorded sales of one crore rupees.

Khadi and handicrafts sales have gone up by 90 per cent compared to last year which has helped all those who are employed in this sector.

"Today, the youth, the elderly, women, and people of all age group are taking to Khadi and handloom," said Prime Minister Modi.

The rise in sale of Khadi and handloom has helped many poor families and weavers who are employed in the sector, the Prime Minister said.

Prime Minister Modi congratulated people on Chhath Puja saying the festival is closely associated with the celebration of nature and cleanliness.

The Prime Minister recalled his experience of celebrating Diwali with the Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir's Gurez. He expressed gratitude to the soldiers on behalf of the country.

Highlighting India's role in UN's peacekeeping mission, he said that currently 7,000 Indian troops are associated with the UN Peacekeeping mission which is the third largest in the world.

He also talked about the life of Sister Nivedita on her 150th birth anniversary.

Here are the key highlights from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address:

* He lauded the Indian hockey team and the support staff for winning the Asia Cup after ten years.

* He congratulated shuttler Kidambi Srikanth for winning the Denmark Open tournament.

* He highlighted India's role in not just sending troops for the UN peacekeeping missions but also in training of UN peacekeepers.

* The Prime Minister also spoke about "Khadi for Tranasformation" replacing "Khadi for Nation" and "Khadi for Fashion".

* On the 150th birth anniversary of Sister Nivedita, Modi brought out the role played by Swami Vivekananda's disciple in serving the people of India and uniting the country.

* He wished the children of India on the upcoming Children's Day on November 14 saying they are the leaders of new India.

* On the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on October 31, a "Run for Unity" will be organised as a mark of respect for the man who united the whole country after India's independence.

* On healthy living, he stressed the impirtance of adopting Yoga in our daily lives.