Staff Reporter / New Delhi
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi today gave a clarion call to the citizens to become self-reliant in every area. Addressing the nation in his Mann Ki Baat program on All India Radio, Mr Modi underlined the importance of Atmanirbhar Bharat for all round growth and development of the nation. He said Indians especially the generation next have a lot to offer in innovation and solutions and we should harness this potential for a better tomorrow.
The Prime Minister cited how at the beginning of this month, the nation’s youth participated enthusiastically in the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat App innovation challenge. Around 7 thousand entries were received out of which two thirds were from the youth of tier two and tier three cities. Around two dozen Apps in different categories have been awarded and the results are quite impressive. Mr Modi asked people to familiarize themselves with these Apps and connect with them. He said this is a very auspicious indication for self-reliant India, and for the future of the country.
The Prime Minister cited a few examples among these Apps – the ‘Kutuki Kids Learning app, Chingari App, Ask Sarkar App, Step Set Go App, among others. Mr Modi said today’s small start-ups will transform into big companies tomorrow and become the mark of India in the world. He pointed out that the big companies which exist in the world today were also once, start-ups. The Prime Minister called upon the young talent of the country to make computer games in India and based on India. He said that there can be games based on the country’s rich history. He said the virtual gaming sector and the toys sector have a very important role to play in the Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign.
He urged the Start Ups to team up and manufacture toys to make India a hub for toy production. The Prime Minister underlined the need to promote local toys and said it is time to go Vocal for Local Toys. He lauded the rich tradition of manufacture of local toys in the country and the skill, talent and expertise of our artisans in making good toys. Mr. Modi cited the examples of places like Channapatna in Ramnagaram in Karnataka, Kondaplli in Krishna in Andhra Pradesh, Thanjavur in Tamilnadu, Dhubari in Assam, and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh which are developing as toy clusters.
The Prime Minister said the Global Toy Industry is more than 7 lakh crore rupees but India’s share is very little in this. He called upon the cottage industries, small industries, MSMEs, big industries and private entrepreneurs to join hands to enhance India’s share in this sector. Mr Modi mentioned C V Raju from Vishakhapatnam in this context. The Eti- Koppakaa toys of his village were very popular once upon a time. These toys were made of wood, round from all sides and therefore there was no scope for injury to children. C V Raju has now started a new movement for Eti-Koppakaa toys with the artisans of his village. And now by making excellent quality toys, C V Raju has brought back the lost glory of these local toys. The Prime Minister said good quality toys should be manufactured which are also favourable to the environment. He stated that the local toy industry can bring back the glorious past and add to the golden future of the country.
Mr Modi recalled Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s words that toys should not only bring out the childhood of a child but also his or her creativity. He added that in the National Education Policy, a lot of attention has been given on the impact of toys on different aspects of children’s lives. Learning while playing, learning to make toys, and visiting toy factories, have been made part of the curriculum.
The Prime Minister lauded the role of farmers in the trying times of Corona pandemic. He said sowing of kharif crops has increased by 7 percent compared to last year in the country. He said the sowing of paddy has increased by approximately 10 percent while the sowing of pulses have gone up by around 5 percent. In the same period, sowing of coarse cereals has gained by almost 3 percent, oilseeds around 13 percent and cotton nearly 3 percent.
Mr Modi said a Bharatiya Krishi Kosh is being set up which will have complete information about the crops that are grown in each district and their related nutritional value. Stating that September will be observed as Nutrition Month in the entire nation, he called for increased focus on the value of quality nutrition. He said nation has the maxim – “Yatha Annam Tatha Mannam” which means mental and intellectual development is directly related to the quality of food intake. The Prime Minister cited the opinion of experts that the better nutrition a child imbibes in the womb and during childhood, greater is the mental development and health.
Mr. Modi highlighted the importance of public participation in the Nutrition movement. He recalled that over the past few years, a lot of effort has been made in this direction. Especially in villages, it is being converted into a mass movement with public participation. Schools have been integrated to generate awareness about nutrition and efforts are being made to ensure competitions for children. The Prime Minister said that just like there is a Class Monitor in the section, there should be a Nutrition Monitor and a Nutrition Card should also be introduced.
During the course of the Nutrition Month, a food and nutrition quiz will also be organized on the My Gov portal, as well as a meme competition. Mr Modi asked everyone to participate and motivate others in joining. He said a unique kind of nutrition park has been created for people visiting the Statue of Unity of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Gujarat. He said tourists can witness nutrition related education along with fun and frolic.
Mr Modi stressed that a well-balanced and nutrient rich, diet plan should be drafted according to the season of a particular region. He advocated for the inclusion of local food grains, fruits and the vegetables.
In a candid reference, the Prime Minister spoke about two brave hearts of security forces – Sophie and Vida. Sophie and Vida are the dogs of the Indian Army who have been awarded the Chief of Army Staff “Commendation Cards”. Sophie and Vida received this honour for performing their duties diligently while protecting their country.
Mr Modi said some time ago, he learnt in great detail about the role of dogs in the security of the country. One such canine named Balaram sniffed out ammunition on the route of the Amarnath Yatra. Another canine, Bhavana searched out IED in 2002. During unearthing the IED, terrorists triggered an explosion and the
brave dog was martyred. Earlier in Bijapur in Chattisgarh, a sniffer dog Cracker of CRPF had attained martyrdom in an IED blast. Mr Modi said dogs also have a significant role in Disaster Management and Rescue Missions.
The Prime Minister mentioned that among the Indian breeds of dogs, Mudhol Hound and Himachali Hound are of excellent pedigree. Rajapalayam, Kanni, Chippiparai and Kombai are fabulous Indian breeds which cost less to raise and are better adapted to the Indian environment and surroundings. Security agencies are now also inducting these Indian breed dogs as part of their security squad. Mr. Modi said, people can consider bringing home one of these Indian breeds as pets and when Atmanirbhar Bharat is becoming a mantra, this domain should not be left untouched.
Mr Modi said Teacher’s Day will be celebrated in a few days from now on the 5th of September. He expressed happiness that not only have the teachers accepted the challenges posed by the pandemic, but have also turned it into an opportunity. He said technology has been seamlessly imbibed as a study tool. The Prime Minister highlighted that National Education Policy is bringing about a tectonic shift in the nation and teachers will play a significant role in disseminating its benefits to the students.
India will celebrate 75th year of independence in 2022. Mr Modi said that it is imperative that today’s generation remains familiar with the heroes of India’s freedom struggle. He said a lot of work needs to be done in this direction and teachers have a significant responsibility. He asked students to research about the freedom struggle in their own districts and area. He said students of some schools can also resolve to write 75 poems and theatrical stories on the heroes of freedom movement to mark the 75th year of independence.
The Prime Minister said this period is full of festivals, fairs and religious ceremonies. He said it is heartening to see people celebrating festivals and also observing discipline due to the COVID pandemic. He said the kind of patience and simplicity being witnessed this time is unprecedented. Even Ganeshotsav is being celebrated online at certain places and at most places eco-friendly Ganesh idols have been installed.
Mr Modi highlighted that Indian festivals are deeply connected with the environment. He pointed out that in West Champaran district of Bihar, people belonging to Thaaru tribal community have been observing a sixty-hour lockdown for centuries. The Thaaru community has adopted Barna as a tradition for protection of nature. During this period, no one enters the village or leaves their homes. They believe that if they step out or if someone enters from elsewhere, the to and fro movement along with other routine activities of people can lead to the destruction of new plants and trees.
He said the festival of Onam is also being celebrated with gaiety and fervour. This festival arrives in the month of Chingam. During this period, people buy something new, decorate their homes, prepare Pookalam and enjoy Onam-Saadiya. Mr Modi said Onam is increasingly turning out to be an international festival and its verve can be felt everywhere, be it America or Europe.
