Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today addressed the nation in his monthly radio programme, ‘Mann Ki Baat‘. This is the 38th time Modi is speaking on the radio programme since he assumed office as the Prime Minister in 2014.
During his addresses, Modi focuses on the ongoing problems in the country, remembers the legends of India and pays tribute to them. He even addresses the small issues faced by the people and gives suggestion to overcome these problems at the personal level.
The main opposition party Congress, has more than once mocked this initiative of the Prime Minister to connect with the nation. Congress Vice-president Rahul Gandhi, recently during his rallies in poll-bound Gujarat has many a times said that the honorable Prime Minister only speaks about his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ he does not listen to what the people have to say, whereas the Congress government is of the people and they will talk about the party’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ rather they will listen to the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ of the people.
In the 38th ‘Mann Ki Baat’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about the Constitution of India saying that Constitution is an embodiment of unity, as today also happens to be the Constitution Day of the country. Paying tribute to the father of the Indian constitution, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, he said that “It is a day to remember Baba Saheb.”
The Prime Minister also paid tribute to the martyrs and victims of the 2008 Mumbai attacks. “We salute all those brave women and men who lost their lives in the gruesome 26/11 attacks in Mumbai,” he added.
Underlining the growing threat of terrorism, Narendra Modi said that it has been over 40 years now that India is raising its voice against terrorism, but nobody took it seriously, but now the world is also realizing the threat and destructive aspects of terrorism. He added that terrorism is a global challenge and it challenges the humanity.
During his address, he also lauded the youth of the nation saying that the young generation is aware of the issues prevailing in India. Modi also praised the Indian Navy saying that ” it has served the country with great diligence and has served the humanity in times of crisis.” Modi also underlined that 4 Dec is the Navy Day and said that “Let’s not forget our civilization developed along river banks.”
He also proudly boasted about the achievements of the Indian Navy especially about the recent rescue operation of the Rohingyas in Sep and fighting piracy across the oceans of the world. He also talked about the involvement of women in this endeavor and also remembered Maharaj Chhatrapati Shivaji who led the Maratha Nausena to many a victory.
The Prime Minister also appreciated the initiatives taken by the farmers. He said that “I am very glad to see that my farmer brothers have come forward to implement suggestions made in soil health card. Farmers realized that proper soil care is needed to increase production & that if we take care of our soil, it will also care for us.”
Concluding the address the Prime Minister also spoke about the Prophet Muhammad Sahab’s birth anniversary. He said that “In the coming days ‘Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi’ will be celebrated, Prophet Muhammad Sahab was born on this day, I extend my wishes to all countrymen and hope it brings peace all around.”
Interestingly, the Prime Minister did not miss the chance to use even his monthly programme as a medium of poll campaigning in Gujarat. Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the poll-bound state on Monday and hold campaigning for two days ahead of the first phase of the elections due on 9 Dec.
Ahead of Modi’s visit, several BJP leaders are preparing the ground for their star campaigner by organizing small rallies. BJP party President Amit Shah listened to the radio programme of Modi with many party members and booth level workers terming the rally as ‘Mann Ki Baat – Chai Ke Saath’.
Recently a huge controversy was raised on the tweet posted by the youth Congress twitter handle, which showed Prime Minister Narendra Modi in conversation with US President Donald Trump and Theresa May. The tweet mocked the earlier days of Narendra Modi when he sold tea.
Though the tweet was removed immediately and the Congress also apologized for it, BJP pulled down on the opposition saying that what damage had to be done was already done, now deleting the tweet made no difference.
Though the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have himself used this in their favor saying that the PM has risen from the ground and is aware of the root level problems. Like always the Modi party did not miss the opportunity to use the meme made by Congress in its favor. Gujarat BJP-in-charge, Bhupender Yadav announced an event ‘Mann Ki Baat-Chai Ke Saath’ wherein almost 200 party leaders will tune into today’s radio show while having a hot cup of tea with people across Gujarat.
BJP Chief Amit Shah at 'Mann ki Baat – Chai Ke Saath' program in Ahmedabad pic.twitter.com/idj9ZHzXdb
— ANI (@ANI) November 26, 2017
Several BJP leaders accompanied Amit Shah and Bhupendra Yadav to listen to Modi’s Mann Ki Baat. After the broadcast of Modi BJP party leaders will address crowds over cups of team across 50,000 booths in poll-bound Gujarat.
It's is a pleasure listening #MannKiBaat with Union Minister @dpradhanbjp Ji. It always give encouragement and motivation to listen PM @narendramodi Ji through Mann Ki Baat. pic.twitter.com/ipLqvwgh2u
— Harsh Sanghavi (Modi ka Parivar) (@sanghaviharsh) November 26, 2017
Tea served in special 'NaMo' disposable cups with message in Gujarati on it 'Ek Cup Cha, Ek Mat BJP (One cup tea, one vote to BJP') during Mann ki Baat, Chai ke Saath' initiative of Gujarat BJin Darapur area of Ahmedabad. #GujaratElections @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/hnNdLpCCvZ
— parimal dabhi (@parimaldabhi) November 26, 2017
After the speech of Narendra Modi, Union Information, and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani who was attending the event at Junagadh announced that she will be contributing one month of her salary’s worth in the Amry Welfare Fund.