My dear fellow countrymen,
I am with you again almost after a month. A month is quite a long time. Lots of things keep happening in the world. You all have recently celebrated the festival of Diwali with great fervour and joy. It is these festivals which bring happiness in our daily lives from time to time. Be it poor or rich, people from village or from urban areas, festivals hold a different significance in everyone’s lives. This is my first meeting after Diwali, so I convey my very warm wishes to you all.
Last time we had some general conversation. But then I came to some new realizations after that conversation. Sometimes we think leave it... nothing is going to change, people are indifferent, they will not do anything, our country is like this. From my last conversation in Mann Ki Baat to this one, I would urge you all to change this mindset. Neither is our country is like this nor our people indifferent. Sometimes I feel the Nation is way ahead and the government is lacking behind. And from my personal experience I will say that the governments too needs to change their mindsets. And I say that because I can see tremendous sense of commitment in the Indian youth. They are very eager to do their bit and are just seeking an opportunity where they can do their bit. And they are making efforts at their own end. Last time I had asked them to buy at least one khadi outfit. I had not asked anyone to be Khadidhari, But the feedback I got from Khadi stores was that in a week’s time the sales had jumped up by 125%. In this way, as compared to last year the sales this year is more than double in the week following 2nd Oct. This means, the people of our country is many times more than we think of. I salute all my fellow Indians.
Cleanliness……….. Can anyone imagine that cleanliness will become a such a huge public movement. The expectations are high and they should be so. I can see some good results, cleanliness can now be witnessed in two parts. One is those huge garbage piles which keep lying in the city; well the people in the government will work to remove those. It is a big challenge but you cannot run away from your responsibilities. All state governments and all municipalities will now have to take concrete actions due to the rising public pressure. Media is playing a very positive role in this. But there is the second aspect which gives me immense pleasure, happiness and a sense of satisfaction that the general public has started feeling that leave what happened in the past, now they will not dirty their surroundings. We will not add to the existing dirt. A gentleman Mr Bharat Gupta has sent me a mail on mygov.in from Satna, Madhya Pradesh. He has related his personal experience during his tour of the railways. He said that people eat on trains and usually litter around. He continues to say that he has been touring from the past many years but it is this time around no one was littering, rather they were looking for dustbins to throw their trash. When they could not see any arrangements they collected all their litter in a corner. He says that it was a very gratifying experience for me. I thank Bharat ji for sharing this experience with me.
What I am seeing is that this campaign has had a great influence on kids. Many families mention that now whenever kids eat a chocolate they themselves pick the wrapper and disposes it. I was seeing a message on the social media. Someone had posted a picture with the Title “My hero of the Day”. This picture was that of a little kid who, picks up trash, wherever he goes, even when going to school. He is himself motivated to do this. Just see…people now feel it is their country and they will not make it dirty. We will not add to the existing dirt pile. And those do litter feel ashamed for someone is around to point it out to them. I consider all these to be good omens.
Another thing is that many people come to meet me who are from all the sections of the society. They can be government officers, from film world, sports world, industrialists, scientists ……. All of them, whenever they interact with me, in ten minutes discussion, about four to five minutes the discussion is on social issues. Someone talks about cleanliness, while some others talk about education, while someone talks about social reforms. Some people discuss the ruining of family life. I initially thought if a businessman comes, he will definitely talk of things of his personal interest. But I am seeing a major change.
They talk less about their interest and more about taking on some or the other social responsibility. When I add up all these small incidents I see a larger picture and I realize that we are moving in the right direction. It is true that unhealthy environment leads to diseases and sickness, but where does sickness strike first. It first strikes the poor household. When we work towards cleanliness, we make a major effort in the direction of helping the poor. If the poor families are saved from diseases, then they will be saved from a lot of financial problems. If a person is healthy, then he will work hard, earn for the family and help in running the family smoothly. And so this cleanliness drive is directly related to the health and welfare of my poor brethren. We may not be able to do something to help the poor, but even keeping the environs clean helps the poor in a big way. Let us view it from this perspective; it will be very beneficial.
I receive different kinds of letters. Last time I had mentioned about our specially abled children. Whom God has given some kind of deficiencies; I had expressed my feelings regarding those people. I see that people who work in this field are sending me their success stories. But I came to know about two things from my people in the government. The people from the HRD ministry after hearing my talk, felt the need to do something. And the officers came together to work out an action plan. This is an example of how changes are coming about in governance. One they have decided that those specially abled who want to pursue technical education, a thousand of them who are good will be selected for Special Scholarships, and a plan has been made. I congratulate the officials who could think in those lines. Another important decision is that all the Kendriya Vidyalaya’s and all Central Universities will have a special infrastructure for the specially abled, for example if they can’t climb stairs then there will be provision for ramps to facilitate movement by wheel chair. They need different kinds of toilets. The HRD ministry has decided to allocate an additional Lakh rupees to the Kendriya Vidyalays and Central universities. This fund will be used by these institutions to create infrastructure for the specially abled. This is an auspicious beginning……………these things will lead us to change.
I had the chance to visit Siachin a few days back. I spent Diwali with the Jawans who are ready to lay down their lives for the nation. When the nation was celebrating Diwali I was at Siachin. It is because of them that we were able to celebrate Diwali, so I wanted to be with them. I experienced the difficulties in which they spent their time there. I salute all my Jawans. But I want to share another matter of great pride with you. Our Jawans work in the field of security. In calamities, they risk their lives to save our life. They also fetch medals for us in sporting events. You will be glad to know that these Jawans have won a gold medal in a very prestigious event in Britain called Cambrian Patrol, defeating contestants from 140 nations. I offer these Jawans my heartiest congratulations.
I also got an opportunity to meet, the young and dynamic students, boys and girls over tea who had won medals in Sports. They give me renewed energy. I was seeing their zeal and enthusiasm. The facilities in our country are quite less as compared to other nations, but instead of complaining they were just sharing their joy and excitement. For me, this tea programme for these players was very inspiring, and I felt really good.
I would like to tell you something more and that too from my heart. I truly believe that people of my country trust my words and my intentions. But, today one more time, I want to reiterate my commitment. As far as black money is concerned, my people, please trust your Prime Servant, for me this is the Article of Faith. This is my commitment that the hard-earned money of the poor people stashed abroad, every penny of that should be brought back. The ways and means to be followed can be different. And this is very obvious in a democratic country, but on the basis of as much I understand and as much I know, I assure you that we are on the right track. Today, nobody, neither me, nor the government, nor you, nor even the previous government knew how much money is stashed abroad. Everyone gives estimate calculated in his/her own way. I don’t want to get lost in some such figures and estimates, Its my commitment that, be it 2 rupees, or 5 rupees, or millions or even billions, this is the hard-earned money of the poor people of my country and it has to come back. And I assure you that I will keep trying till the end. No efforts will be spared. I want your blessings to be always with me. I assure you that I will do whatever and whenever something is required to be done for you. I give my commitment to you.
I have received a letter. It has been sent by Sri Abhishek Pareekh. The same sentiments were expressed to me by many mothers and sisters when I was not even the Prime Minister. Some doctor friends had also expressed their concern and I too have expressed my views on this issue a number of times in the past. Mr. Parikh has drawn my attention towards the increase of drug addiction that is fast catching up with our young generation. He has asked me to discuss this topic in “Mann ki Baat.” I agree with his concern and I will definitely include this topic, in my next edition of Mann Ki Baat. I will discuss the topic of drugs, drug addiction and drug mafia and how they are a threat to our country’s youth. If you have some experience, any information in this regard, if you have ever rescued any child from this drug addiction, if you know of any ways and means to help, if any government official has played a good role, if you give me any such information, I will convey such efforts to the public and together we will try to create an environment in each family that no child ever thinks of choosing this vice out of sheer frustration. I will definitely discuss this in detail in the next edition.
I know I am choosing those topics which put the government in the dock. But how long will we keep these things hiding? How long will we brush these important concerns under the carpet? Some day or the other we need to take a call, follow our instincts and for grand intentions tough calls are equally important. I am mustering the courage to do so because your love inspires me to do so. And I will continue to do such things because of your love.
Some people told me “ Modi ji you asked us to send you suggestions on Facebook, twitter or email. But a large section of the social class does not have access to these facilities, so what can they do. Your point is very valid. Everyone does not have this facility. Well then, if you have something to say related to Mann Ki Baat, that you hear on the radio even in the villages then do write into me on the following address
Mann Ki Baat
Akashvani
Sansad Marg
New Delhi.
Even if you send some suggestions through letters they will definitely reach me. And I will take them seriously as active citizens are the biggest asset for development. You write one letter, it indicates that you are very active. When you give your opinion, it means that you are concerned with national issues and this is strength of the nation. I welcome you.
For my Mann Ki Baat, your mann ki baat sould also reach me. Maybe you will definitely write a letter. I will try and interact with you again next month. I will try, that whenever I talk, it is Sunday, around 11 am. So I am getting closer to you.
The weather is changing. Winters are slowly setting in. This is a good month for health. Some find it a good season for eating. Some find it good for wearing nice clothes. Besides food and clothes it is a good season for health. Don’t let it go waste. Make the most of it.
Thank You.
(The original speech was in Hindi, this is the English rendering. Original speech remains the authoritative version)
Bharat Mata ki Jai.
Bharat Mata ki Jai.
Bharat Mata ki Jai.
Governor of Uttarakhand Gurmeet Singh ji, the popular and hardworking young Chief Minister here Pushkar Singh Dhami ji, my colleagues in the Union Cabinet Nitin Gadkari ji, Ajay Tamta ji, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath ji joined through technology, Governor Anandiben, Chief Minister of Delhi Rekha Gupta ji, State BJP President Mahendra Bhatt ji present on stage, former Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari ji, former Chief Ministers brother Ramesh Pokhriyal, Vijay Bahuguna ji, Tirath Singh Rawat ji, Trivendra Singh Rawat ji, all ministers of the Uttarakhand government, MPs and MLAs, and my dear brothers and sisters who have arrived in huge numbers.
My salutations to all of you on this holy land of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. Salutations also to the revered saints who have come in very large numbers. To the beloved younger brothers, sisters-in-law and sisters, elders of Uttarakhand, namaskar to you all! To my dear elder brothers, sisters, grandparents, I offer my respectful greetings to everyone.
Many people from Delhi and UP are also connected to this program through technology; I welcome all of them. First of all, I apologize to all of you, and I also ask for forgiveness from the people joined in the programs in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, that I have been delayed by more than an hour in reaching here, you all had to wait for a long time at all places, and the reason was just this: I had set out on time, but a roadshow of nearly 12 kilometers, from Kali temple to here - there was so much enthusiasm and zeal that it became very difficult for me to drive the car at a fast speed. So, slowly greeting people, taking the blessings of the 'Janardan' , I was delayed by more than an hour in reaching here, and for this, I ask your forgiveness. And this sea of people in such sun for 12 kilometers, this love of Uttarakhand, the blessings of mothers and sisters - today I will take a new energy from Uttarakhand, I will take new inspiration, and for this, I express my gratitude to everyone from the bottom of my heart.
Friends,
Today there is enthusiasm of festivals in the country. The New Year has arrived in various parts. I give wishes for Baisakhi, Bohag Bihu, and Puthandu to the countrymen!

Friends,
In the next few days, the journey to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Baba Kedarnath, and Badrinath Dham is also going to start. Crores of faithful people of the country wait for this holy time with a sense of devotion. I respectfully bow to Panch Badri, Panch Kedar, Panch Prayag, and the presiding deities here. I also bow to Santala Mata. Before coming here, I had the good fortune of having darshan of Maa Daat Kali. There is great grace of Maa Daat Kali on Dehradun city. In completing such a big project of the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor, the blessing of Mata Daat Kali has been a very big strength.
Friends,
Uttarakhand state, along with completing 25 years of its establishment, has entered its twenty-sixth year. Today, with the inauguration of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, another big achievement has been added to this progress. You will remember, after the darshan of Baba Kedar, it had come out of my mouth spontaneously that the third decade of this century will be the decade of Uttarakhand. I am very happy that due to the policies of the double-engine government and the hard work of the people of Uttarakhand, this young state is adding new dimensions of development. This project will also give new momentum to the development of Uttarakhand. A very large part of this expressway passes through UP. From this, many cities like Ghaziabad, Baghpat, Baraut, Shamli, and Saharanpur will also benefit greatly. From the perspective of tourism, this project is very important. I give many, many congratulations to the whole country for this project.
Friends,
Today is also the birth anniversary of Doctor Babasaheb Ambedkar. I offer tributes to Babasaheb on behalf of crores of countrymen. In the past decade, the policies our government made, the decisions taken, have been those that re-establish the dignity of the Constitution. After the removal of Article 370, today the Constitution of India is applicable in the whole country. In the dozens of districts where Maoism-Naxalism has ended, work is now being done there too in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution. That a Uniform Civil Code be implemented in the country is the expectation of our Constitution. Uttarakhand, by moving forward with this spirit of the Constitution and taking that spirit forward, has shown the way to the whole country.
Friends,
Babasaheb's life was dedicated to giving a just system to the poor, the deprived, and the exploited. Today, our government, with that same spirit, is engaged in giving true social justice to every poor and every deprived person. And a very big medium of social justice is the balanced development of the country, facilities for all, and prosperity for all. That is why Babasaheb used to strongly advocate for modern infrastructure and industrialization.

Friends,
What the condition and direction of the future will be, people often look at and show the lines of the hand for this. Those who are fortune tellers, they see palm lines and tell about the future of every individual. I do not know this science, but they say that this too is a scripture. Now, this was about the fate of an individual which is in the lines in his hand, but if I look at this context by connecting it to national life, then what are the fate lines of a nation? The fate lines of a nation are these roads of ours, our highways, our expressways, airways, railways, waterways - these are the fate lines of our nation. And for the past one decade, our country has been engaged in the construction of such fate lines of development to make a developed India. These development lines are not just today's facilities; they are the guarantee of prosperity for coming generations, and this is Modi's guarantee. Since the past decade, our government has been making unprecedented investments in these development lines of the nation. I give you a figure. Just now Nitin ji has told you many figures related only to Uttarakhand. See, until the year 2014, for such infrastructure, in a year, in the whole country, even 2 lakh crore rupees were not spent. I am telling the fact of the whole of India - it used not to be even 2 lakh crores; today this has become more than six times more, more than 12 lakh crore rupees. Here in Uttarakhand itself, work is ongoing on infrastructure projects of more than two and a quarter lakh crore rupees. Before 2014, 2 lakh crores for the whole country; today two and a quarter lakh crore rupees for Uttarakhand alone. Once in the villages of Uttarakhand, generations used to change waiting for a road. Today, due to the efforts of the double-engine government, now the road is reaching the village; the villages that had become deserted earlier are becoming vibrant again. Be it the Chardham Mahamarg project, the expansion of rail projects, the Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib ropeway - these lines of development are also becoming fate lines of life in every corner of this region.
Friends,
The speed and scale at which the India of the 21st century is working today, the whole world is discussing it. I give you the example of Uttarakhand, Western UP, and Delhi itself. Only a few weeks ago, the Delhi Metro was expanded, metro service started in Meerut, Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat Rail was dedicated to the country, Noida International Airport was started, work started on MRO facility for airplanes, and today, Dehradun-Delhi Expressway is starting.
Friends,
In such a small region, all this is happening in such a short time. Imagine on what a large scale infrastructure is being built in the country. And that is why I say - the India of the 21st century, the new era of modern infrastructure it is entering, is unprecedented, unimaginable.
Friends,
Today, work is going on on many economic corridors connecting different parts of India. Like Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, Bengaluru-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, East Coast Economic Corridor, Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor - many such economic corridors are being built in the country. These economic corridors are new doors of progress, gateways, doors. And the string of hopes is also connected to these. These economic corridors, apart from the road, create paths for new trade and business. They prepare the foundation for a whole network for factories and warehouses.

Friends,
The transformation of this entire region is going to happen through the Dehradun-Delhi Economic Corridor as well. The first benefit is that it will save time, traveling will be cheap and fast, people's petrol and diesel will be spent less, fares will be less, and the second big benefit will be of employment. Right now 12 thousand crore rupees were spent on its construction, so thousands of laborers got work. Along with this, those who are engineers, other skilled workforce, partners associated with transport - they too have got work in very large quantities. The produce of farmers and livestock owners will also now reach big mandis and big markets at a fast speed.
Friends,
Uttarakhand's tourism will get a very big benefit from this magnificent expressway. This will become the most prominent route for Dehradun, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Mussoorie, and Chardham Yatra. And we all know, when tourism develops, everyone earns something or the other. Be it hotels, dhaba owners, taxis, autos, homestays - everyone benefits from it.
Friends,
I am happy that today Uttarakhand is becoming a very excellent destination for winter tourism, winter sports, and 'Wed in India' - for weddings.
Friends,
Perennial tourism is very necessary for the economy of Uttarakhand. That is why I have been very insistent regarding religious journeys happening in winters. And I am happy that every year the number of people in these journeys is increasing. You will remember, I had gone on the journey to Adi Kailash and Om Parvat in 2023. I used to go a lot earlier, in between I could not go at all, I went after many years, and the Chief Minister was telling me, the Governor sir came in between, he was also telling that I went there in 2023 and after that, a very large number of devotees are going there. Earlier only a few hundred people used to go there for the journey in winters. In the year 2025, more than about 40 thousand people have traveled to these holy places. Once it didn't use to be one thousand; if forty thousand reach, then how much strength comes to the livelihood of the people here. Similarly, in the winter Chardham Yatra in the year 2024, about eighty thousand devotees had come. In 2025, this number has crossed one and a half lakhs.

Friends,
We are engaged in making such a developed India where there is progress, nature, and culture. And that is why, every construction happening today is being developed based on these values of 'Triveni' - the trinity of progress, nature, and culture. There should be facility for humans from infrastructure, and there should not be inconvenience to the wildlife living there - this is our effort. And that is why on this expressway, an elevated wildlife corridor about 12 kilometers long has also been built. Care has been taken that elephants also do not face inconvenience.
By the way friends,
Today I want to make an appeal to all tourists and pilgrims across the country as well. Our mountains, these forest areas, this heritage of Devbhoomi - these are very, very holy places. To keep such places neat and clean is the duty of all of us. Of those living here and also of those coming as travelers. Plastic bottles, heaps of garbage in these areas, hurt the sanctity of Devbhoomi. Therefore, it is very necessary that we keep these sites of Devbhoomi, these pilgrimage sites of ours, clean and beautiful.
Friends,
Kumbh is also to be organized in Haridwar next year. We have to leave no stone unturned in making this confluence of faith divine, grand, and clean.
Friends,
Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra also takes place in Uttarakhand. This is a festival of faith, and it is also a living example of our cultural consciousness. Where Mother Nanda is considered a daughter and bid farewell with full respect. The participation of sisters and daughters in this journey makes it special. While bowing to Maa Nanda, I want to give a special message to the sisters and daughters across the country as well. You have a very big role in the building of a developed India. I am seeing a very big role of the daughters of this country, the mothers of this country, the sisters. And the convenience, safety, and participation in democracy of sisters and daughters is a very big priority of the double-engine government. You are seeing right now what a big crisis has come in the world. From this, how much outcry there is even in the developed countries of the world. Even in such difficult circumstances, it is the constant effort of the government that our sisters face minimum trouble.

Friends,
Another important milestone of the participation of sisters and daughters is now before the country. After a wait of 4 decades, Parliament had passed the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. Through this, thirty-three percent reservation for women in the Legislative Assembly and Lok Sabha was fixed. All parties came forward and supported this important law. Now that women have got this right, there should be no delay in implementing this right. Now this should be implemented. Now the Lok Sabha elections that will happen in 2029, from then on, and legislative assembly elections will also keep coming - whatever elections keep coming - this should be implemented from 2029 itself. This is the sentiment of the country; this is the wish of every sister and daughter of the country. Bowing to this wish of the Matrushakti (mother power), a special discussion has been fixed in Parliament from April 16. All political parties should together, by consensus, take forward this work related to the rights of the sisters and daughters of the country and complete it. And today I have written an open letter in the name of all the sisters of the country; perhaps this letter of mine would have reached you in social media; it is possible TV and newspaper people might also be mentioning this letter. I have invited the mothers and sisters of the country with great insistence to become participants in this work. I have firm belief that the mothers and sisters of my country will definitely read the letter. They will contemplate every single word, and for doing such a big holy work, the MPs coming to Parliament on the 16th, 17th, and 18th will also get their blessings. Today from Devbhoomi, I will again appeal to all parties of the country to definitely support the amendment in the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. In 2029, 50 percent of the population of our country - our mothers, sisters, our daughters - let us give them their right.
Friends,
If I come to Uttarakhand and there is no talk of the army, then the talk remains incomplete. This Garhi Cantt, this meeting venue, is a proof of the great military tradition of Uttarakhand. Nearby here are many institutions related to the defense and security of the country; the country can never forget the valor of Shaheed Jaswant Singh Rawat ji in the 1962 war.
Friends,
Whether it is to strengthen the capability of the army or the facility and respect of our soldier families, our government is constantly striving for this. Through One Rank One Pension, our government has so far deposited about one and a quarter lakh crore rupees in the accounts of former soldiers. Thousands of families of Uttarakhand have also got its benefit. Apart from this, this year the budget of the health scheme for former soldiers has also been increased by thirty-six percent. For ex-servicemen of 70 years and above, door-step home delivery of medicines has also been started. The education grant for children of former soldiers has also been doubled. And the assistance received for the marriage of daughters has also been increased from 50 thousand to one lakh rupees.
Friends,
Connecting every dimension like patriotism, devotion to God, and progress, we have to make the country developed. Once again to the people of Delhi, the people of Uttar Pradesh, and in a way to the countrymen, I give many, many best wishes for this magnificent expressway.
Speak with me-
Bharat Mata ki Jai!
Bharat Mata ki Jai!
Vande Mataram!
Vande Mataram!
Vande Mataram!
Vande Mataram!
Vande Mataram!
Vande Mataram!
Vande Mataram!
Many, many thanks!


