In his recent ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio broadcast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi passionately appealed to citizens to make the upcoming 150th anniversary of India’s national song, ‘Vande Mataram,’ truly unforgettable. He emphasized that ‘Vande Mataram’ beautifully encapsulates a vibrant and magnificent vision of India, urging everyone to uphold its cherished values for generations to come. The Prime Minister announced that a multitude of programs will be organized across the nation to mark this historic milestone for the song, originally penned by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and first sung by Rabindranath Tagore in 1896.
During his address, Prime Minister Modi also took to social media, sharing a tweet to invite everyone to tune into this month’s #MannKiBaat for more insights.
Beyond the national song, the Prime Minister highlighted several inspiring citizen-led initiatives nationwide. These included dedicated efforts to rejuvenate mangrove ecosystems in Gujarat, the innovative concept of ‘Garbage Cafes’ in Chhattisgarh, and community-driven projects aimed at restoring lakes in Bengaluru.
A significant portion of his address was dedicated to commending India’s paramilitary forces, the BSF and CRPF, for their move to incorporate indigenous dog breeds into their ranks. He proudly recounted how a Mudhol Hound distinguished itself by winning a competition, outperforming foreign breeds. Illustrating their remarkable capabilities, Mr. Modi noted, ‘Our indigenous dogs have also displayed amazing courage. Last year, during a patrol in a Maoist-affected area of Chhattisgarh, an indigenous dog of CRPF detected 8 kg of explosives.’ He further shared that Indian breeds such as Rampur Hounds, Mudhol Hounds, Mongrels, Kombai, and Pandikona are now integral to these forces’ dog squads, with some even slated to participate in the upcoming parade at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, honoring Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 150th birth anniversary on October 31.
The Prime Minister also celebrated the thriving coffee cultivation in Koraput, Odisha, which has brought positive change to local communities. He observed, ‘There are people in Koraput who are cultivating coffee through their sheer passion. There also are many women whose lives have been pleasantly transformed by coffee.’ He underscored the growing global popularity of Indian coffee, highlighting diverse regions like Chikmagalur, Coorg, and Hassan in Karnataka; Pulney, Shevaroy, Nilgiri, and Annamalai in Tamil Nadu; the Biligiri region bridging Karnataka and Tamil Nadu; and Wayanad, Travancore, and Malabar in Kerala, all contributing to its remarkable variety.
Finally, Mr. Modi acknowledged how culture and social media are breathing new life into Sanskrit. He pointed out that many young individuals are now engaging with and discussing the language through engaging ‘reels.’ He specifically praised content creator and cricketer Bhai Yash Salunke, whose popular reel showcasing cricket alongside Sanskrit dialogue exemplifies this vibrant trend.