Mera Saansad
Search Search
Assamese language

Text of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's speech at Saansad Adarsh Graam event at Jayapur Varanasi

Published By : Admin | November 7, 2014 | 15:06 IST

Minister from UP government Sri Ahmad Hussain ji, the local representative from the area Sri Surendra Singh ji, our MLC Sri Kedar Nath Singh ji, respected sister Durga Devi ji, Sri Arvind ji and my dear brothers and sisters who have gathered here in large numbers. 

The government of India has envisioned a new programme - The Saansad Aadarsh Graam Project. I, being a parliamentarian need to take responsibility of a village under this plan too. I have been reading different versions in the newspapers about my decision to adopt Jayapur village for this plan. Each one gives some version and this baffles me. I am surprised at how some fertile brains are working to spread stories about my decision to adopt this specific village. Such reasons given are ones that even I am not aware of. Why I chose this village has a very simple reason and the reason is that when Bhartiya Janta Party chose me to contest elections from Banaras, that time a big tragedy occurred where 5 people lost their lives in a fire in Jayapur. The first ever name that I became aware of after being selected for the Banaras constituency was that of Jayapur. That too I heard in a moment of crisis. Though I was neither the MP nor we had a government here, I called up the government officials, I called up my party workers and asked them to reach here for help. So this is the reason Jayapur occupied a place in my mind and my heart. So our relationship started in a moment of crisis and those relationships that spring from crisis often last a lifetime. So this is the reason for my association with Jayapur. I consider this as a fortunate association. Rest all the stories being spread are false and they have no basis. None that I am aware of. 

Now some people are writing that the Prime Minster is adopting a village. Well, this scheme is such where it is the other way round i.e. the villages are adopting a parliamentarian. Whatever position we may hold, either that of Minister, Chief Minister or even a Prime Minister, nothing can be compared to the learning that we can receive from the villagers. If I intend to become a good people’s representative, if as a public representative I want to understand people and their problems, learn something worthwhile then I cannot do so by sitting with clerks and officers. I can gather this knowledge only by interactions with the learned and experienced people of the village. They might not have been to school or had college education but what they have is a vast store of knowledge and experience. They have such a vast body of experience that they know practical ways of resolving issues, which can be a great learning experience for the public representative. This is why I have chosen Jayapur and I request you to adopt me in return and teach me ways to resolve your issues. Even after so many years of Independence our villages remained where they were then. Why so? It is now your turn to say that for the past 60 years you sat in your offices at Lucknow and Delhi and made endless policies and spent millions to no avail. Now listen to us and do what we think is better for us. 

I am also witnessing that the villages are competing to be adopted for this scheme. They are expecting the Parliamentarian to choose their village for adoption. The reason for this is a misconception among the villagers that if the parliamentarian adopts their village, a lot of money is going to flow in. Well this scheme has no money. This scheme does not involve money for if there is money, and then there will definitely be a corrupt person to pocket that money. The reason for launching this scheme was that despite running several schemes and spending lots of money, there was no change in lives of the villagers. The idea of this scheme is to find answers to these very questions. 

A few days back I invited the senior bureaucrats for tea during Diwali. These are those top notch officials who practically run the country. All of them are so highly placed that a common citizen cannot possibly approach them. I called them and gave them a job. I asked them to visit the place of their first posting. That very place where they must have been posted for around a year, where they started their careers and received their initial training. I asked them to revisit those places with their children and families. Tell them how you started as a fresher, how you functioned out of your first office and try and remember those people who helped you. Take your families to meet your acquaintances there. I asked them to spend at least three days in that very same location. And think how far they have reached in these 30-40 years whereas the village you started in remained where it was. Go and see for yourself and show the same to your family also. I want to create sensitivity, something that invokes some kind of proactive thought, where they think that it is their responsibility to bring to the forefront all those who supported them when they were new. The public representatives need to think to bring development to all those who have been instrumental in bringing them onto the national political scene. Hence it is my vision to go among these very people, work along with them and see that the government policies designed for them are fully implemented. See if there is the desired change in the village. If there is a difficulty in launching these programmes, then whatever policy level changes need to be made can be decided. If the MP is successful in achieving this, then the entire machinery of the government will get accustomed to working for people. 

I want to create an environment where the residents of Jayapur feel empowered about taking a decision for their well being. I have been seeing that Jayapur is in limelight these days a lot. Many government officials have visited the place. The village was cleaned, roads repaired. On asking why these special efforts are being made, it was the preparation for Modi ji’s visit. The villagers held the view that if Modi ji visits the village frequently it will become very clean. Are you correct in thinking this way? Now that the village has been cleaned, I would appreciate that you take a call that now all of us work together to keep the village clean. Isn’t this the beginning of an ideal village? I want you to think about the oldest tree in the village. Have you ever spared it a thought? Has the village school master ever thought of taking his students to that tree and tell them about its age, that it is some 150-200 years old, that generations from grandparents to parents to these children have played under this tree? This will foster a bonding with that tree. Today no village might know about its oldest tree. Why is this so? Are we no longer fond of them? Do we think about the elders of the village, how many are above 100 years of age, how many are above 75 years or more? How many children of the village sit with these elders and talk about the old days, about the childhood of their elders. How was their school, how were their teachers, what were the food habits at that time, how did they cope with the changing seasons. Have you ever tried this? Sadly, the closed and family like environment so common in a village scenario has suddenly started shrinking. Can we work together to bring back this environment? 

Let me ask you. Do you know the day when your village was established? There must be a day when this village came into existence. If you do not know then go to the government offices and find out when this village found existence in government records. If no record exists then decide upon a day which would be celebrated as the day when this village was born, like we celebrate our birthday. All those who have left the village in order to earn their living will also come back that day. All the senior people of the village who have attained 75, 80 or 90 years should be honoured. Tell me, on such a day, will you not clean the village? Will there be change in the mindsets or not? If someone from the village has gone out, and one day if he returns, on finding the school fan missing, he will donate one? 

How do we make our village an ideal one, not with the help of the government, but by awakening the collective strength of the society. We will decide that no child in the village would eat without first washing their hands. Tell me, do we need the government for this kind of a job. I was reading a report about a neighboring country where 40 out of 100 children die because of diseases related to not washing hands. Means 40 children out of hundred died because they did not wash hands. How much do we love our children? If the kids fall sick everyone feels sad. So let us all decide that no child from this village will ever eat anything without first washing his hands. You will not expect a prime minister to be talking about these issues. There must be some mistake. Well our leaders in the past were so accustomed of talking tall, that it never changed the ground realities. I am not here to talk big. I have to achieve a larger goal by these small targets. 

I want to ask the people of this village, some must have passed 10th, some must have passed 12th grade, some might be graduates, people of different age groups like 50 or 60 years old- have you ever been to the school where your child goes to study? Have you seen the school? Do you check if the teacher comes or not? Is the drinking water clean or dirty, if there is a toilet or a library in the school, if the computers in the school are in a working condition or not. Have we ever taken an interest in these issues? What we have done is admitted our children in school, dumped our child there at the mercy of the teacher and left him to his fate. This attitude doesn’t work. We have to be more proactive. We can decide to make a committee of the members of one neighborhood who will go each day and supervise the functioning of the school. Tell me then, our school, however small it might be, will truly turn into a temple of learning or not. It is such an easy job. 

I often tell the poor families in the villages to celebrate the birth of the girl child. But do we really celebrate the birth of a girl. Some families often end up feeling sad if a girl child is born. The daughter in law of the household has to face everybody’s ire. Will our Jayapur village celebrate the birth of a girl child? The goddess of wealth enters our household, so this should be celebrated or not, should we not be equally proud of our daughters. See, how few girls are being born in comparison to the number of boys. The reason of this is that the daughters are killed in the womb itself. If we kill the girl child in the womb itself so how will the social cycle function. If 1000 boys are born and only 800 girls are there, 200 boys will remain unmarried. What then will happen to our villages, our society? And is this the job of the government? Isn’t this our responsibility as a society to protect and honour our women? That is why I am here today, in Jayapur. We have decided whatever we were doing is past, now we have to think of a new way forward. I even say this that if you have a farm or a small piece of land, sow five plants when your daughter is born to celebrate the occasion. The girl will grow up and so will the trees. When she is old enough to get married, sell those trees and you will get the money to marry her off. 

We have to work together to develop new social structure. When the village celebrates its inception day, there will be no room for casteism. All will live in unity, casteism will not survive and once free of this social ill, no one can stop you from being a force so strong beyond everyone’s imagination. Hence this entire Aadarsh Gram Yojana involves implementing government schemes properly, on time and effectively. We have to implement it in a fashion that optimum results are obtained. The MP will provide necessary guidance and the work will gather momentum. Once the government officers realize how the work is to be done in the village, others too will follow soon. 

I have an intense desire to do many things for this village and the district of Banaras which are now under my responsibility. But I do not intend to work in the usual format of the governmental set up utilizing the funds of the government treasury. I want to use the people’s power by encouraging people’s participation. 

A while back our Village Pradhan, Durga Devi ji was giving her speech. I asked her about her qualification? She informed that she had studied till the eighth standard. Now see, how high was her confidence level because of her education. I felt proud; I was truly impressed by the manner in which she expressed her views. Don’t we want our daughters to be educated? If our Pradhan is educated, so shall be all the daughters of this village. 

Why is it so, that even for taking polio drops someone from the government office has to come to call us? Shouldn’t the youth of the village take the responsibility to see that all children receive polio drops, that no child should be inflicted by polio, that there is no one who is handicapped? The government can bring you the polio drops but it is your responsibility to see that the children receive it. So we will take this responsibility, won’t we? 

I have spent time with you, interacted with party workers and officials to understand your problems. I am confident that people in the administration which is primarily being run by the state government, will see to it that the tasks are undertaken and duly taken to their culmination. What the government needs to do and what as villagers we need to do… we will decide now. And I repeat, the MP will not adopt the village, rather the village has to adopt the MP. We have to work in a new direction and create an ideal village. I am grateful to the people of Jayapur. Naturally if I have made inquiries about the works being done, the organizational functioning, then I will try to find new ways too. But I do not wish to discuss this on the stage here. I will raise these issues at the necessary forums. At the same time I expect you people to sit together and decide what works you can undertake and to work on your own collective strengths. 

I have heard that there is a water crisis in this village. The government will do what it needs to do. But let us decide that we will not allow even a single drop of rainwater to go waste. There will no longer be water crisis. But all of us have to work together for this. Whatever we have been doing is past. Now we have to think of a new way forward. We have to march ahead with our social strength. We will no longer wait for the government to do something for us. We will work together as a force and involve our neighbouring villages too. I have seen this happening in some villages. The people have done it and so will Jayapur do it. 

I express my gratitude for the love and respect showered by you and I want to assure you that we will work together as a team to create a new Jayapur, a better Jayapur. 

With this belief in my heart, I express my sincere gratitude to you all. Thank You! 

(The original speech was in Hindi, this is the English rendering. Original speech remains the authoritative version) 

Login or Register to add your comment
Explore More
প্ৰতিগৰাকী ভাৰতীয়ৰ তেজ উতলি আছে: মন কী বাতত প্ৰধানমন্ত্ৰী মোদী

Popular Speeches

প্ৰতিগৰাকী ভাৰতীয়ৰ তেজ উতলি আছে: মন কী বাতত প্ৰধানমন্ত্ৰী মোদী
View All
How The Indian Auto Sector Is Driving $5 Trillion Economy Dream

Media Coverage

How The Indian Auto Sector Is Driving $5 Trillion Economy Dream
View All
NM on the go

Nm on the go

Always be the first to hear from the PM. Get the App Now!
Download App
...
Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi recalls the Emergency, salutes defenders of the Constitution
Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi recalls the Emergency, salutes defenders of the Constitution
June 29, 2025
QuoteOn the 21st of June, crores of people across the country and the world participated in the ‘International Yoga Day’: PM Modi
QuoteThree lakh people performed yoga together on the beach of Visakhapatnam and more than two thousand adivasi students performed 108 Surya Namaskars for 108 minutes: PM Modi
QuoteAccording to a report by International Labour Organisation, more than 64% of the population of India is now availing of some social protection benefit or the other: PM Modi
QuoteThose who imposed Emergency not only murdered our constitution but also had the intention to keep the judiciary as their slave: PM Modi
QuoteWe should always remember all those people who fought the Emergency with fortitude. This inspires us to remain constantly vigilant to keep our Constitution strong and enduring: PM Modi
QuoteBodoland today stands out in the country with a new face, a new identity. Bodoland is now increasingly casting its glow on the sports map of the country: PM Modi
QuoteThe women of Meghalaya are now taking this Eri Silk heritage forward on a larger scale through Self Help Groups: PM Modi

My dear countrymen, Namaskar. Welcome to ‘Mann Ki Baat’… Greetings to all of you. At this moment, you all must be full of the energy of yoga and memories of ‘International Yoga Day’. This time as well, on the 21st of June, crores of people across the country and the world participated in the ‘International Yoga Day’. Do you remember, it began 10 years ago. Now, over these 10 years, this event is turning grand with every passing year. This is also an indication that more and more people are adopting yoga in their daily lives. We have seen so many attractive pictures of ‘Yoga Day’ this time. Three lakh people performed yoga together on the beach of Visakhapatnam. Another amazing visual emerged from Visakhapatnam itself… more than two thousand adivasi students performed 108 Surya Namaskars for 108 minutes. Imagine how much discipline, how much dedication there must have been! A grand glimpse of yoga was also witnessed on our naval ships. In Telangana, three thousand divyang friends participated in a yoga camp together.

They showed how yoga is also a medium of empowerment. People of Delhi connected yoga with the resolve of a clean Yamuna and performed yoga on the banks of the Yamuna. In Jammu and Kashmir, people also did yoga on the Chenab Bridge, which is the world's highest railway bridge. The snowy peaks of the Himalayas and ITBP soldiers… yoga was seen there too; courage and sadhana were hand in hand. The people of Gujarat also created history anew. In Vadnagar, 2121 (twenty one hundred & twenty one) people did Bhujangasana together and created a new record. Pictures of yoga came in from New York, London, Tokyo, Paris; every big city of the world… and one thing was special in every picture - peace, stability and balance.

This time the theme was also very special, 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health'. This is not just a slogan; it is a direction which makes us realize the essence of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'. I am sure, the grandeur of this year's Yoga Day will certainly inspire more and more people to adopt yoga.

My dear countrymen, when someone embarks on a pilgrimage, the first feeling that comes to mind is, “Chalo Bulawa Aaya Hai…” i.e. Let’s proceed amid the Divine Call... This very feeling is the soul of our religious pilgrimages. These pilgrimages are a means of disciplining the body, purifying the mind; mutual love and brotherhood, and connecting with God. Apart from these, there is another great aspect of these pilgrimages. These religious pilgrimages are also a great ritual of opportunities for the spirit of service. When any pilgrimage takes place, more people engage in serving the pilgrims than the number of people who undertake the pilgrimage. Bhandaaras and langars i.e. Free Food Distribution, are set up at various places. People set up drinking water stalls on the roadsides. Medical camps and facilities are arranged with a spirit of service. A lot many people arrange for dharamshalas and accommodation for the pilgrims at their own expense.

Friends, after a long time, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has had an auspicious re-start. Kailash Mansarovar, that is the abode of Lord Shiva. Kailash is considered the centre of faith and devotion in every tradition; be it Hindu, Buddhist or Jain.

Friends, the holy Amarnath Yatra is going to commence on the 3rd of July, and the holy month of Sawan is also just a few days away. Just a few days ago, we have also witnessed the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath ji. Be it Odisha, Gujarat or any other corner of the country, lakhs of devotees participate in this Yatra. From North to South, East to West, these Yatras are a reflection of the spirit of 'Ek Bharat-Shrestha Bharat'. When we conclude our religious journey with devotion, complete dedication and complete discipline, we also get rewarded with its fruits. I extend my best wishes to all the fortunate devotees going on the Yatras. I also commend those, who are engaged in making these Yatras successful and safe with a spirit of service.

My dear countrymen, I now want to tell you about two such achievements of the country, which will fill you up with pride. Global institutions are discussing these achievements. WHO i.e. ‘World Health Organization’ and ILO i.e. International Labour Organization have heaped praises on these achievements of the country. The first achievement is related to our health. Many of you must have heard about an eye disease – Trachoma. This infection spreads through bacteria.

There was a time when this ailment was common in many parts of the country. If not taken care of, this disease gradually used to lead to loss of eyesight. We resolved to eradicate Trachoma from its roots. And I am very happy to share with you that WHO has declared India Trachoma free. India now has become a Trachoma free country. This is the result of the hard work of lakhs of people who fought this disease tirelessly; without a break. This success belongs to our health workers.

Therefore, the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ also helped in eradicating it. The ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’ also contributed a lot to this success. Today, when clean water is reaching every home through taps, the risk of such ailments has reduced. ‘World Health Organisation’ WHO has also appreciated the fact that along with tackling the disease, India has also got rid of its root causes.

Friends, presently, most of the populace in India is taking advantage of one social protection benefit or the other and recently a very important report of the International Labour Organisation – ILO has come out.

It has been mentioned in this report that more than 64% (sixty four percent) of the population of India is now definitely availing of some social protection benefit or the other. Social Security is one of the biggest coverages in the world. Today, around 95 crore people of the country are getting the benefit of some or the other social security schemes; whereas, till 2015, the government schemes were reaching less than 25 crore people.

Friends, in India, from health to social security, the country is moving ahead with the feeling of saturation in every field. This is also a great picture of social justice. These successes have instilled a belief that the coming times will be even better; India will become even stronger at every step.

My dear countrymen, with the power of public participation, big crises can be confronted. I will play an audio for you… in this audio you will get an idea of ​​the magnitude of that crisis. How grave that crisis was… listen to it first… understand it.

Audio Clip - Morarji Bhai Desai

After all, the oppression that happened for two years, the oppression had started 5-7 years ago. But it has reached its peak in the last 2 years, when emergency was imposed on people and people were treated inhumanly. People's right to freedom was snatched away, newspapers were left without freedom. Courts were made completely powerless. And the way more than one lakh people were put in jail and then arbitrary rule continued, it is difficult to find its traces in the history of the world.

Friends, this is the voice of the former Prime Minister of the country, Shriman Morarji Bhai Desai. He spoke about the Emergency in a brief but very clear manner. You can imagine what that period was like! Those who imposed Emergency not only murdered our constitution but also had the intention to keep the judiciary as their slave. During this period, people were tormented on a large scale. There are many such examples of this, which can never be forgotten. George Fernandez Sahib was tied in chains.

Many people were subjected to severe torture. Under MISA, anyone could be summarily arrested. Students too were harassed. Freedom of expression was also stifled. Thousands of people who were arrested during that period were subjected to such inhumane atrocities. But it is the strength of the people of India… they did not bow down, did not break down and did not accept any compromise with democracy. Finally, the people at large won – the Emergency was lifted and those who imposed the Emergency were defeated. Babu Jagjivan Ram ji had put forth his views in a very strong manner in this regard.

Audio Clip - Babu Jagjivan Ram

Sisters and Brothers, the last election was not an election. It was a great campaign of the people of India... To change the circumstances of that time… to turn the tide of dictatorship and to strengthen the foundation of democracy in India.

We should also listen to what Atal ji had said in his own distinct style then -

Audio Clip - Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Sisters and brothers, whatever happened in the country cannot be called just an election. A peaceful revolution has taken place. The wave of people's power has thrown the killers of democracy into the dustbin of history.

Friends, just a few days ago, the imposition of Emergency on the country completed its 50 years. We countrymen have observed the 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas'. We should always remember all those people who fought the Emergency with fortitude. This inspires us to remain constantly vigilant to keep our Constitution strong and enduring.

My dear countrymen, imagine a picture. The morning sun is touching the hills, the light is slowly moving towards the plains, and with that light, a troupe of football lovers is advancing. The whistle blows and in a few moments, the ground reverberates with applause and slogans. People's enthusiasm is increasing with every pass, every goal. You must be wondering… what a beautiful world is that?

Friends, this picture is the reality of Bodoland, a major region of Assam. Bodoland today stands out in the country with a new face, a new identity. The energy and confidence that the youth here have, is most visible on the football field. In the Bodo Territorial Area, the Bodoland CEM Cup is being organized. This is not just a tournament; it has become a celebration of unity and hope. More than three thousand seven hundred teams, about seventy thousand players, and even among them, a large number of our daughter’s participation! These statistics tell the story of a big change in Bodoland. Bodoland is now increasingly casting its glow on the sports map of the country.

Friends, there was a time when struggle itself was the identity of this place. Then the avenues for the youth here were limited. But today there are new dreams in their eyes and the courage of self-reliance in their hearts. The football players hailing from here are now making their mark at a high level. Halicharan Narzary, Durga Boro, Apurba Narzary, Manbir Basumatari - these are not just the names of football players - they are the identity of that new generation who catapulted Bodoland from the field to the national stage.

Many of them practiced with limited resources; many forged their way through difficult circumstances, and today many young children of the country kickstart their dreams, inspired by their names. If we have to expand our capability, first of all we have to focus on our fitness and wellbeing. By the way, friends, do you remember one of my suggestions for fitness, for reducing obesity! Reduce 10% oil in food, reduce obesity. When you’ll be fit, you will be more super hit in life.

My dear countrymen, just as our India is known for its regional, linguistic and cultural diversity; in the same way, the diversity of arts, crafts and skills is also a great quality of our country. Whichever area you visit, you will get to know about some local specialities of that place. We often talk about such unique products of the country in 'Mann Ki Baat'. One such product is Eri Silk of Meghalaya. It has received the GI Tag a few days ago. Eri Silk is like a heritage for Meghalaya. The tribes here, especially the people of the Khasi community, have preserved it for generations and have also enriched it with their skills. This silk has many specialities that make it different from other fabrics. Its most special feature is the way it is made. The silkworms that make this silk are not killed to obtain it, hence it is also called Ahimsa Silk.

Nowadays, the demand for such products is rising rapidly in the world, which do not involve violence and do not have any ill effect on nature, hence, Eri Silk of Meghalaya is a perfect product for the global market. Another special feature is that, this silk keeps you warm in winters and cool in summers. This quality makes it suitable for most places. The women of Meghalaya are now taking this heritage forward on a larger scale through Self Help Groups. I congratulate the people of Meghalaya on Eri Silk getting the GI-Tag. I would also appeal to all of you to try out clothes made from Eri Silk… and yes, you must always remember Khadi, handloom handicraft, Vocal for Local. If customers buy only products made in India and traders sell only products made in India, the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan' will be infused with new energy.

My dear countrymen, the mantra of 'Women Led Development' is ready to create a new future for India. Our mothers, sisters, daughters are today lending a new direction not only for themselves but for the entire society. You will also feel good when you come to know about the success of the women of Bhadrachalam in Telangana. These women once used to work as labourers in the fields. They used to work hard all day for their livelihoods.

Today the same women are making biscuits from millets, i.e. Shreeanna. These biscuits, named 'Bhadradri Millet Magic', are reaching right from Hyderabad to London. These women of Bhadrachalam joined a Self Help Group and received training.

Friends, these women have done another commendable work. They started making 'Giri Sanitary Pads'. In just three months, they prepared 40,000 pads and delivered them to schools and nearby offices - that too at a very low price.

Friends, the achievement of the women of Kalaburgi in Karnataka is also excellent. They have made jowar roti a brand. In the cooperative that they have formed, more than three thousand rotis are being made every day. The aroma of these rotis is no longer limited to the village. A special counter has been opened in Bengaluru. Orders are coming over online food platforms. Kalaburgi roti is now reaching the kitchens of big cities. This has had a great impact on these women, their income is increasing.

Friends, these stories from different states have different faces. But their glow is the same. This is the glow of self-confidence, of self-reliance. One such face is Suma Uike from Madhya Pradesh. Suma ji's efforts are very commendable. She took training in mushroom farming and animal husbandry by joining the Self Help Group in Katangi block of Balaghat district. Thus she found her the path to self-reliance. When Suma Uike's income increased, she also expanded her work. This journey that started with a tiny effort has now reached 'Didi Canteen' and 'Thermal Therapy Centre'. In every corner of the country, countless such women are changing their fate and that of the country.

My dear countrymen, during the last few days, many people from Vietnam sent me their messages through various mediums. There was reverence and affability in every line of these messages. Their feelings were heartwarming. They were expressing their gratitude to India for enabling darshan of the holy relics of Bhagwan Buddha. The emotions in their words were more than any formal thanks.

Friends, originally these sacred relics of Bhagwan Buddha were discovered at Nagarjunakonda of Palnadu district in Andhra Pradesh. This place has a deep connection with Buddhism. It is said that once upon a time, people from far off places including Sri Lanka and China used to come to this place.

Friends, last month these holy relics of Bhagwan Buddha were taken from India to Vietnam. They were kept for public darshan at 9 different places there. In a way, this initiative of India became a national festival for Vietnam. You can imagine that in Vietnam, which has a population of about 10 crore people, more than 1.5 crore people had a darshan of the holy relics of Bhagwan Buddha. The pictures and videos that I saw on social media made me realize that devotion has no limits. Be it rain or the scorching sun, people stood in queues for hours. Children, the elderly, differently-abled people, everyone was overwhelmed. The President of Vietnam, Deputy Prime Minister, senior ministers, everyone paid obeisance. The feeling of respect among the people there for this pilgrimage was so deep that the Vietnamese government requested to extend it for another 12 days and India gladly accepted it.

Friends, the thoughts of Bhagwan Buddha have the power to bind countries, cultures and people together. Earlier, the holy relics of Bhagwan Buddha were taken to Thailand and Mongolia, and the same feeling of reverence was felt there as well. I urge all of you to definitely visit Buddhist sites in your state. It will be a spiritual experience, as well as a wonderful opportunity to connect with our cultural heritage.

My dear countrymen, this month we all celebrated the 'World Environment Day'. I received thousands of your messages. Many people told me about those friends who had set out alone to save the environment and then the whole society joined them. This contribution of everyone is becoming a great strength for our earth. Mr. Ramesh Kharmale of Pune… knowing about his work will inspire you a lot. When people take rest at the end of the week, Ramesh ji and his family set out with pickaxe and spade. Do you know where to? Towards the hills of Junnar. Be it sunshine or a steep climb, their ascent does not stop. They clear bushes, dig trenches to retain water and sow seeds. They dug 70 trenches in just two months.

Ramesh ji has made many small ponds, planted hundreds of trees. He is also getting an Oxygen Park built. The result is that birds have started returning here, wildlife is getting a new breath.

Friends, another beautiful initiative for the environment has been seen in Ahmedabad city of Gujarat. Here the Municipal Corporation has started the 'Mission for Million Trees' campaign. The target is - to plant lakhs of trees. A special aspect about this campaign is 'Sindoor Van'. This forest is dedicated to the bravehearts of Operation Sindoor. Sindoor saplings are being planted in the memory of those brave people who have sacrificed everything for the country. Here, another campaign is being given a new impetus – ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’. Under this campaign, crores of trees have been planted in the country. You too must take part in such campaigns going on in your village or city. Plant trees, save water, serve the earth, because when we save nature, we actually protect our future generations.

Friends, a village in Maharashtra has also set a great example. 'Patoda' is a Gram Panchayat in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar district. This is a Carbon Neutral village Panchayat. In this village, no one throws garbage outside their house. There is a complete system of collecting garbage from every house. Here, dirty water is also treated. No water goes into the river without being cleaned. Here, last rites are performed with cow dung cakes and a tree is planted in the name of the deceased with that ash. The cleanliness in this village is also worth seeing. When small habits become a collective resolve, a big change is certain.

My dear friends, at this moment, everyone's eyes are also on the International Space Centre. India has scripted a new history. Yesterday I’ve also spoken to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla. You must have also heard my conversation with Shubhanshu. Shubhanshu still has to stay at the International Space Centre for a few more days. We will talk more about this Mission, but in the next episode of 'Mann Ki Baat'.

It is time now to bid adieu to you in this episode. But friends, before leaving I want to remind you of a special day. On the 1st of July, the day after tomorrow, we honour two very important professions - Doctors and CAs. Both of them are such pillars of society, which make our lives better. Doctors are the protectors of our health and CAs (Chartered Accountants) are the guides of economic life. My best wishes to all the Doctors and Chartered Accountants.

Friends, I always wait for your suggestions. The next episode of 'Mann Ki Baat' will be enriched through your suggestions. We will meet again with new thoughts, new inspirations and new achievements of our countrymen. Thank you very much, Namaskar.