Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said there is need of a movement for “Bharat Jodo” on the lines of Mahatma Gandhi’s “Bharat Chhodo Andolan” as India enters the 75th year of its independence.
Addressing people in his monthly radio programme ‘mann ki baat’, the Prime Minister touched on a range of issues including “khaadi” and adapting new techniques and technologies to improve productivity and living conditions besides the “Kargil Divas”.
Before signing off, he also said Covid-19 is still around and following protocol is the key to safety.
Modi started off with the Tokyo Olympics and complimented the sportspersons for reaching where they are after overcoming numerous hurdles in life. He appealed all to cheer up Indian olympic sportspersons on social media.
“Our Victory Punch Campaign for the support of Olympics sportspersons has begun. Do share your Victory Punch with your team…Cheer for India”, said Prime Minister.
Affirming that feeling of patriotism unites, Modi reminded that Monday (July 26) is ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’ as well.
“The Kargil War is a symbol of bravery and patience on part of India’s Armed Forces which the whole world has watched. This time this pride-filled day will be celebrated amid Amrit Mahotsav. That is why this day becomes all the more special. I want you to read the enthralling saga of Kargil…let us all bow to the bravehearts of Kargil”, he said.
The Prime Minister said to commemorate 75 years of freedom, ‘Amrit Mahotsav’ had commenced on March 12 from Mahatma Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram and felt that there was a need for uniting India by connecting people.
“On this very day, Bapu’s Dandi Yatra too was revived…since then, from Jammu-Kashmir to Puduchery; from Gujarat to the Northeast, programmes in connection with Amrit Mahotsav are being held across the country”, he said.
The Prime Minister said “ just the way the Quit India Movement (Bharat Chhodo Andolan) steered under Bapu’s leadership, every countryman today has to lead a Bharat Jodo Andolan (Unite India Movement).”.
He said “It is our duty to ensure that our work helps in closely knitting and binding our India which is filled with diversity.”
He again emphasized on the need for self-reliance and going “vocal for local.” “ We can contribute to nation building even while performing our routine chores…such as ‘Vocal for Local’. Supporting local entrepreneurs, artists, craftsmen, weavers should come naturally to us. The National Handloom Day on the 7th of August is an occasion when we can strive to attempt that”, he said.
The Prime Minister said the National Handloom Day has a remarkable historic background as on this very day in 1905, the Swadeshi Andolan had begun.
Modi pointed out that in the rural and tribal regions of the country, handloom is a major source of income. This is a sector that comprises lakhs of women, weavers and craftsmen and “even small efforts on your part will give rise to a new hope in weavers”, he said.