As the country prepares for general elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged first-time voters on Sunday to cast their ballots in record numbers, emphasising that their maiden vote should be for the country.
In the 110th episode of Mann Ki Baat, Modi announced that the monthly broadcast would not air for the next three months, adhering to political ethics ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
With the general elections expected in April-May, the PM said the possibility of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) being enforced in March, similar to 2019, hinting at the upcoming announcement of the election schedule next month.
The MCC guidelines mandate that Governments refrain from using official events or public-funded platforms for activities that may favor the ruling party.
Modi highlighted the success of the programme in maintaining independence from Government influence over its 110 episodes, emphasising its dedication to the collective strength and achievements of the country. “Mann Ki Baat is a programme “of the people, for the people, and by the people,” Modi said.
“However, in line with political ethics, ‘Mann Ki Baat’ will not be broadcast for the next three months during the Lok Sabha elections,” he said
“When we reconvene, it will be the 111th episode,” Modi added, noting the significance of the number.
He encouraged first-time voters to participate in large numbers, declaring that the 18th Lok Sabha would symbolise their aspirations. As citizens become eligible to vote at 18, Modi urged youth not only to engage in political activities but also to stay informed about debates and discussions during this period.
“You should keep in mind that your first vote should be for the country,” he said, urging influencers and other prominent personalities to motivate first-time voters. The bigger the participation of the young voters in the electoral process, the more beneficial its consequences will be for the country, the PM said.
While sharing several anecdotes from the country, Modi lauded a “Goat Bank” initiative of an Odisha couple which promotes goat rearing at the community level and helps the villagers move towards self-reliance in the field of animal husbandry. In Kalahandi, Odisha, goat rearing is becoming a major means of improving the livelihood of the village people as well as their standard of living, the PM said.
In his broadcast, Modi also discussed individuals working in the field of language. He cited the example of Mohammad Manshah from Ganderbal, Jammu and Kashmir, who has been engaged in efforts to preserve the Gojri language for the past three decades.
“He comes from the Gujjar Bakarwal community, which is a tribal community. In his childhood, he had to work hard to study,” he said.
Days before International Women’s Day, Modi also praised ‘nari shakti’ and said it is reaching new heights of progress in every field.
“Great poet Bharatiyar ji said that the world will prosper only when women get equal opportunities. Today, the ‘nari shakti’ (women power) of India is reaching new heights of progress in every field,” the PM said.
“Who would have thought until a few years ago that in India, women living in villages would also fly drones,” he said. “But today, this is becoming possible. There is so much discussion about Drone Didi in every village. ‘Namo Drone Didi, Namo Drone Didi’ is on everyone’s lips,” he said. The PM also spoke with ‘Drone Didi’ Sunita from Uttar Pradesh’s Sitapur.
The ‘matrishakti’ of the country is playing a significant role in saving Mother Earth, who is suffering from pain and hardships due to chemicals, he said.
Similarly, Modi said a Bengaluru company that has created two mobile apps -- Bagheera and Garuda. The Bagheera app monitors the speed of a vehicle and other activities during a jungle safari, while the Garuda app uses artificial intelligence and internet of things to provide real-time alerts when connected to any CCTV, Modi said. In his address, Modi also discussed the voice of the youth creating content, which he said has become very effective today.
