Our Correspondent
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asked youths to act as ambassadors of digital economy. Addressing the nation through Mann Ki Baat programme on All India Radio, Mr Modi said that country was fast moving towards digital transactions. He said government has introduced schemes like Digi Dhan to give boost to digital economy.
He said Lucky Grahak Yojana and Digi Dhan Vyapari Yojana have received overwhelming response from the people. Mr Modi asked everyone, especially youth and the winners of these two schemes to act as ambassadors of digital economy and lead the war against corruption and black money.
Prime Minister said India created history by becoming the first country to successfully launch 104 satellites at one go. He said satellites of the United States, Israel, Kazakhstan, Switzerland, Netherlands, and UAE were among those launched by PSLV C 37 on the 15th of this month. He said India’s earth observation satellite Cartosat 2D will help in mapping of resources and infrastructure, evaluating development and planning for urban development. The Prime Minister pointed out that farmers will be greatly benefited by Cartosat 2D as it will help in water resource mapping and monitoring.
Text of PM’s ‘Mann ki Baat’ on Feb 26
PM के मन की बात का मूल पाठ (26 फ़रवरी 2017)
Mr Modi said it is also a matter of pride that the satellite launch is the 38th straight successful PSLV launch. Mr Modi said this is a historic achievement, not only for ISRO, but for the entire country. He also said that the latest ISRO launch was helmed by young scientists as well as women scientists. He extended his greetings to them for their service to the nation and space technology.
The Prime Minister said India has scaled new heights in the area of defence through the successful test firing of Ballistic Interceptor Missile. During its trial, the missile destroyed an enemy missile at an altitude of about 100 kilometres above the surface of the earth.
Mr Modi said there are only four or five countries in the world who possess this capability. He said the missile can hit enemy targets even from a distance of 2000 kilometres and pre-emptively destroy it in the space itself.
Mr Modi said curiosity has led to the evolution of mankind, and development of science and technology. Saying that country needs more and more scientists, he called for developing interest in science subjects among children at school level. He quoted Mahatma Gandhi, saying no science has dropped from the skies and all sciences are developed through experience.
The Prime Minister mentioned recently held 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas where a unique competition to give impetus to innovation was organised. He said socially useful innovations were identified, and showcased in the competition. He also mentioned about a Mobile App for fishermen, which gives location of most productive fishing zones and also provides information such as the direction and speed of the wind, and the height of waves.
Recalling the 125th birth anniversary of B R Ambedkar held recently, Mr Modi asked youths to teach at least 125 people about BHIM App so that it could be taken to 125 crore people of the country.
Expressing happiness over record food grain production, Mr Modi said, two thousand 7 hundred lakh tonnes of food grain was produced this year. He said, this is 8 per cent more than the previous record. He also expressed gratitude to farmers for keeping the poor in mind and adopting cultivation of various pulse crops also besides the traditional crops because pulses are the biggest source of protein for poor people.
Speaking about the forthcoming International Women’s Day, Mr Modi said, the movement of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao is progressing well. He said, it has now become a campaign for public education and social sensitivity and is not limited to a government programme.
He mentioned about various initiatives taken by different State Governments to educate and empower girl child. He said, Cuddalore district administration has banned child marriage under a special campaign and opened nearly 60 thousand bank accounts of girls under Sukanya Samridhi Yojana.
The Prime Minister hailed the involvement of individuals, organizations, agencies, government and society in the sanitation campaign. He referred to a programme of Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation where the Secretary of the Ministry himself took part in the toilet pit emptying exercise.
Mr Modi said, twin pit toilet is convenient for the people as it can be easily emptied and re-used. He said the waste deposited in the pit gets completely decomposed in six to twelve months time and can be used as Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium, NPK which is a very useful fertilizer.
Mr Modi appreciated different Ministries who are taking forward the cleanliness drive through Swachhata Pakhwada. He said during the first fortnight of March, Women and Child Development Ministry along with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs will be laying stress on the Cleanliness Campaign. Shipping Ministry and Water Resources Ministry will take up the campaign in the last two weeks of March.
He also made a special mention of cleanliness bulletin of Doordarshan.