Mann Ki Baat:PM wishes Bangladesh,talks about Gandhi and Black money
26 March 2017 5:11 AM GMT
Modi wishes Bangladesh on its Independence Day
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday wished neighbouring Bangladesh on its Independence Day on March 26.
Modi in his national radio address 'Mann Ki Baat' wished prosperity for the neighbouring country, recalling the common memories of Rabindra Nath Tagore shared by both India and Bangladesh.
"We all are proud that both the nations share the memories of Gurudev Rabindra Nath Tagore who wrote the national anthem of both India and Bangladesh," the Prime Minister said.
Modi said both Bangladesh and India will continue being partners in future for mutual benefit and progress.
Modi lauds Gandhi enterprise as a young revolutionary
On the centennial year of Champaran and Kheda agitations helmed by Mahatma Gandhi, Prime Minister Narenda Modi on Sunday reminded the countrymen of the great leader's arrival in public life at a time which was a "turning point".
The arrival of Gandhi in public life in 1917 "was a turning point from the point of view of struggle (for independence)", Modi said during his radio address 'Mann ki Baat'.
He implored people to imagine the hard work and immense enterprise that Gandhi must have put to use when he marshalled these agitations in Champaran and Kheda, having only been in India for two years.
He cited the agitations as a text-book example of "how to begin in public life", for Gandhi's display of his "organisational skills, knowing the pulse of people placed at the bottom rungs", and of using other great leaders such as Rajendra Prasad in the movement.
"British at the time were confounded by Gandhi's ways... who practised 'sangharsh and srijan' (struggle and creation) as modes of agitation," Modi said.
A foreign-returned Gandhi led the two movements in Champaran (Bihar) and in Kheda district (Gujarat) against the oppressive British commercial and trade practices.
He brought the farmers of Champaran together who were forced to cultivate indigo for the British to export instead of food-crops, of which they were in dire need.
During the struggle at this time, he asked people not to demand 'swaraj' (self-rule) yet, but to campaign against the exploitative tax system and administration.
Every citizen can combat against black money: Modi
Expressing his gratitude to people for taking to digital payments, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his radio address 'Mann Ki Baat' said that every Indian can combat black money.
Modi said that with a firm resolution India can see 2.5 crore digital transactions within next six months rather than waiting for a year.
"I express my gratitude to the citizens for going for digital transaction. Every Indian can be a crusader against black money just by opting for digital payment rather than cash transactions," Modi said.
The Prime Minister said that after demonetisation people began proffering digital transactions and there had been huge increase in digital transactions.
"Within two months of its launch, there had been 1.5 crore downloads of BHIM app, this is commendable... If 125 crore citizens make a resolution, then we can achieve the target of 2.5 crore digital transactions within six months and not wait for a year..."
"Just make sure that you submit the school fee of your children, railway or airline bookings and other transactions are done through digital mode," Modi said.
New India is joint call of 125 crore Indians: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the 'New India' was a joint call and desire of 125 crore Indians and called upon the people to perform their duties as responsible citizens.
In his monthly radio address 'Mann ki Baat', the first since the Bharatiya Janata Party's victories in the recently concluded assembly elections in five states, Modi said small and steady steps by all Indians can lead to realisation of a new and transformed India.
"We are in the 21st century and there is no Indian who doesn't want to transform India. New India is neither a government project nor a manifesto of a political party. It is the joint call and desire of 125 crore Indians to transform India," said Modi.
"Everything is not linked to the budget or government funds. If every citizen pledges to be more responsible, performs his duties, then this dream of new and transformed India can be easily realised," he said.
"If we look at the society, there are many who are serving the society in their own ways. Some are serving patients in hospitals, others are voluntarily donating blood and some others feeding the poor."
"Service is the core of our values. If we obey traffic rules, pledge not to use petrol or diesel once a week, resolve to be more responsible, if we do things step by step, we can achieve a new India," Modi added.
Depression curable, speaking about it helps: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on people to change the society's mindset about the menace of "depression" and to encourage its victims to speak up.
"We are aware about depression. However, it is true that those suffering from depression are not forthcoming to share their exprerience with others because he or she feels ashamed to do so. We should change this and encourage them to speak and share their burden," Modi said during his monthly 'Mann Ki Baat' radio address.
He said that depression was not an incurable ailment and one can get rid of it if a right psychological environment is built for him or her.
Emphasising the importance of speaking up once more, Modi said: "Suppression of depression is not good. Expression is always good. If depressed, share your feelings with others, it will make you feel better."
He made the remarks ahead of World Health Day on April 7.
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