AMN / NEW DELHI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said recent agricultural reforms have opened new doors of possibilities for farmers. Addressing the nation in his Mann Ki Baat programme on All India Radio, the Prime Minister said farmers had been demanding these reforms for a long time and his government delivered on this front. He said Parliament gave a legal form to the agricultural reforms after a lot of deliberations. He added that these reforms have not only served to unshackle farmers but also given them new rights and opportunities.
He recounted how the reforms helped Jitendra Bhoiji, a farmer from Dhule district of Maharashtra in receiving his outstanding payments for selling corn. The Prime Minister said right knowledge which is free from misconceptions and rumors can act as a force multiplier for every individual.
He lauded Mohammad Aslam living in Baran district of Rajasthan for raising awareness among farmers. Aslam is the CEO of a farmer producer organization who has made a Whatsapp group comprising several farmers from his area. In this group, he shares s with the farmers everyday on prevalent prices at neighboring Mandis in the area. His own FPO also buys produce from farmers and therefore this effort also helps farmers in taking a decision.
Mr Modi stated that there is true aliveness where there is awareness. He also praised Virendra Yadav of Haryana’s Kaithal district who returned from Australia two years back and is working to provide a solution to the stubble burning issue. Virendra Yadav bought a Straw Baler machine to make bundles of straw. For this, he also received financial assistance from the Agricultural department. With this machine, he began to make bundles of stubble and in just two years, Virendra Yadav has traded in stubble in excess of two and a half crore rupees and has earned a profit of fifty lakh rupees.
Mr Modi requested the youth to visit villages in their vicinity and talk to the farmers and make them aware of the innovations in farming and the recent agricultural reforms.
Mr Modi said culture helps a lot during crisis and plays a major role in facing and handling it. He added that even with the help of technology, culture works like an emotional recharge. He said many museums and libraries in the country are working to make their collection fully digital.
He said the National Museum in Delhi has made some commendable efforts in this regard and is working on introducing around ten virtual galleries. He said people will now be able to tour the National Museum galleries of Delhi in the comforts of their homes.
Mr Modi stressed on the importance of taking cultural heritage to the maximum number of people through the medium of technology. He said the use of technology is also important for the conservation of this heritage. He gave the example of an interesting project where an Arctic World Archive has been set up in an island named Svalbard in Norway.
Prime Minister Modi also expressed delight that the heritage and art of Ajanta caves is also being digitised and restored. Along with the digitalized and restored painting, it shall also have important documents and quotes related to it. He pointed out how photos of the beautiful cherry blossoms in Shillong are going viral in social media. He stated that these cherry blossoms have further enhanced the beauty of Meghalaya.
The World Heritage Week was celebrated a few days ago. Mr Modi said that despite the Corona period, people took part in Heritage Week celebrations in an innovative way.
The Prime Minister expressed happiness that a very old idol of Goddess Annapurna is coming back to India from Canada. This idol was stolen from a temple in Varanasi over 100 years ago, around 1913, and smuggled out of the country. Mr Modi conveyed his gratitude to the Canadian government and all those who made it possible. Mr Modi said that just like this idol, many priceless heritage items have been taken away from India and sold in international markets at very high prices by international gangs. He stated that the government has imposed heavy restrictions and all efforts are being made to ensure that these items are brought back. He added that due to such efforts, India has been successful in bringing back many statues, and artifacts.
Mr Modi said Dr. Salim Ali’s 125th Jayanti Samaroh began from November 12 this month. Doctor Salim had done remarkable work in the field of bird watching. This has also attracted bird watchers of the world towards India. Mr Modi said he has always been an ardent admirer of people who are fond of bird watching. Saying that there are many bird watching societies active in India, he asked people to engage in the activity.
The Prime Minister spoke about Jonas Masetti who is from Brazil. Masetti is also known as Vishwanath. He teaches Vedanta and Gita and runs an organization called Vishwavidya. Mr Modi said Masetti’s journey from a mechanical engineer to stock markets to spirituality is very interesting. Jonas studied Vedanta Philosophy in India, staying at Arsha Vidya Gurukulam in Coimbatore for four years. Mr Modi said people are showing a lot of interest on how spirituality and Vedanta can help people during the times of the pandemic. He lauded the efforts of Masetti. He also lauded the newly elected MP in New Zealand, Dr. Gaurav Sharma for taking oath of office in Sanskrit language. He said this spread of Indian culture makes every India proud.
The Prime Minister said the nation will celebrate the 551st Prakash Parv of Guru Nanak Dev tomorrow. He said Guru Nanak’s teachings echo from Vancouver to Wellington, and Singapore to South Africa. He spoke about Lakhpat Gurudwara Sahib in Kutch which was badly damaged in the 2001 earthquake. He called himself blessed and lucky that it fell on him to ensure the gurudwara’s renovation. The restoration efforts of Lakhpat Gurudwara were honored with the Award of Distinction by the UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Award in 2004. The jury that gave away the award found that during the restoration, the fine details of the art and architecture were given special care.
The Prime Minister said the opening of Kartarpur Sahib corridor in November last year was very historic. He added that now, it is easier for Sikh people living abroad to send contributions in the service of Darbar Sahib. He counted himself as blessed to have been of service to Guru Nanak Dev.
Mr Modi said that recently, he interacted with the students of many educational institutions, from IIT Delhi to IIT Guwahati through video conferencing. He asked students to contribute as alumni to their institutions even after they graduate. He added that IITians have constructed Conference Centers, Management Centers, Incubation centres in their alma maters. He said all these efforts improve the learning experience of current students. He added that IIT Delhi has started an endowment fund, which is a brilliant idea. He said there is a culture of making endowments in world famous universities.
The Prime Minister further stated that alumni play a very important role in technology upgradation of their institutions, in construction of buildings, in initiating awards and scholarships and in starting programs for skill development. The old student associations of certain schools have started mentorship programmes. In these programmes, they guide the students of different batches and also discuss educational prospects. He said alumni associations are robust in many schools, especially in boarding schools, where they organize activities like sports tournaments and community service. He urged students to keep strengthening their bonds with their alma mater.
The death anniversary of Sri Aurobindo will be observed on 5th of December. Mr Modi said there is a lot of depth in Sri Aurobindo’s teachings. He asked the youth to learn more about this great personality. He added that as the nation is moving forward with Vocal for Local, and Sri Aurobindo’s philosophy of Swadeshi is showing the way. Sri Aurobindo got inspiration for Swadeshi from his family. His maternal grandfather Raj Narayan Bose was a great thinker of Bengal and also a great poet. Mr Modi stressed that every citizen should read about Sri Aurobindo’s thoughts on adopting Swadeshi.
The Prime Minister also said that Sri Aurobindo did not regard education as just bookish knowledge, a degree or a job. Sri Aurobindo used to say that national education should entail the training of the hearts and minds of the younger generation. Mr Modi pointed out that today, the country is fulfilling Sri Aurobindo’s vision through the National Education Policy.
Mr Modi said the nation has now started to discuss the COVID 19 vaccine after breaking out of the lockdown phase. He however cautioned that any negligence regarding Corona would be very deadly. He asked everyone to strengthen their fight against Corona.
Baba Saheb Ambedkar’s death anniversary will be observed on 6 December. The Prime Minister asked everyone to reaffirm resolve to the country and abide by the duties assigned by the Constitution as an individual.