Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asked the younger generation to be inventive and use technology to solve problems in daily life. In his monthly radio talk — Mann Ki Baat, Modi also asked doctors in the private sector to devote time on maternity related issues.
During the 34-minute broadcast, the Prime Minister also talked about a number of other subjects, including the Indian participation in the Rio Olympics, upcoming Independence Day celebrations, his recent visit to South Africa and passage of a Bill by Parliament that will unlock over `40,000 crore to States for afforestation.
“India is going through many problems. We encounter problems in daily life. Now, we will have to look for technological solutions,” Modi said. Exhorting youth to go for research to find technological solutions to such problems, Modi referred to the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) through which the Government intends to create an ecosystem of innovation, experiment and entrepreneurship and generate jobs.
“If we have to prepare next generation innovators, we will have to connect our children with the AIM. That is why, the Central Government has taken the initiative of Atal Tinkering labs,” he said. Whichever school establishes these labs, it will get `10 lakh and an equal amount for maintenance of these labs for five years, the Prime Minister said.
Noting that innovation is directly linked to ‘Incubation Centre’, he said under the Atal Incubation Centre programme, the Government plans to earmark a “big amount” of `10 crore. Inviting youth to do research and invent solutions through technology to the problems they see, the Prime Minister referred to the ‘Atal Grand Challenges’ and said, “the Government of India wants to reward technology that is developed to address our problems.”
Talking about health scenario, PM urged gynaecologists, who do not work in Government hospitals, to devote one day for this purpose, saying lakhs of such doctors are required.
Talking about the floods that have hit some parts of the country, Modi said, “sometime back, we were concerned about drought but now we are enjoying the rains and there are reports about floods. The State Governments and the Centre are working closely, making all efforts to help the flood-affected people.”
He began his programme with reference to the Rio Olympics and asked people to create a campaign to encourage India’s participants in this mega sporting event. Underlining that participation in the games is more important than winning of losing, he asked the countrymen to extend their wishes to the Indian participants. “For transmitting your messages of good wishes, the Prime Minster of the country is ready to become a postman,” he said.
Turning to the upcoming 70th Independence Day celebrations, Modi said the country should also celebrate the 75th anniversary of Quit India Movement on August 8. He asked the countrymen to celebrate these events like a festival by creating an atmosphere of nationalism. “This should not remain a Government function but a celebration of the countrymen. like a Diwali, it should be our own festival,” he said hoping that people will send pictures filled with nationalism to his App.
Prime Minister invited suggestions from the people for inclusion in his speech. “You may be having something which you would want to be told to the nation from the Red Fort. “I invite you to write to me whatever feelings you have, what you feel that as your representative, as your ‘pradhan sevak’, I should say from the Red Fort... Give suggestions, give advice, give new ideas. I will try to convey those to all the countrymen...,” the Prime Minister said.