While addressing the 103rd episode of Mann Ki Baat radio programme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that ahead of the Independence Day 'Meri Mati Mera Desh' campaign will be launched to honour the martyrs.
He also spoke about the steps taken to address the existing drugs issue in the country. “India has set record of destroying over 10 lakh kg of drugs worth Rs 12,000 crore,” he said.
"Increasing participation of youth in campaign against drug abuse is very encouraging," said Modi.
"To save the youth of Jammu and Kashmir from drugs, many innovative efforts have been visible. Programs like Musical Night, Bike Rallies are happening there," he added.
Modi also mentioned the activities and efforts being taken in Chandigarh, and Punjab to tackle the drug menace.
Modi also said that it is a “huge change” that over 4,000 Muslim women performed Haj without 'mehram' or male companion.
"I have also received a large number of letters from Muslim women who recently returned after completing 'Haj'. These women performed 'Haj' without any male companion or 'Mehram'. Their number is not just 50 or 100, but over 4,000. This is a huge change, earlier Muslim women were not allowed to perform 'Haj' without any 'Mehram'. I would like to thank the Govt of Saudi Arabia for appointing women coordinators for Muslim women performing 'Haj' without 'Mehram',” said Modi.
Modi also mentioned the two American friends who arrived from California to take part in the Amarnath Yatra. “People from all over the world are coming to our pilgrimages. I came to know about two such American friends who came from California for Amarnath Yatra,” said Modi.
He also thanked the US Government for returning the precious artefacts of India. “A few days ago, there was a craze across social media, America has returned us over 100 rare and ancient artefacts. These artefacts returned to India are from 250 to 2500 years old. These rare things belong to different regions of the country... Even in 2016 and 2021, when I visited America, many artefacts were returned to India,” said Modi.
He also urged people to adopt Yoga in life and shared his experience in France, where he met Charlotte Chopin, a 100-year-old Yoga practitioner.
An encouraging news from Uttar Pradesh, where a record of planting 30 crore trees in a single day has been made, was also mentioned during the session.
"More than 60,000 Amrit Sarovars built during the ‘Azaadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' are increasingly radiating their glow. Work on building over 50,000 Amrit Sarovars is also underway. The people of our country are making new efforts to conserve water,” he said.
Modi also reached out to the people who were hit due to the recent heavy rains and natural calamities. "Past few days have been full of worry and trouble due to natural calamities. People had to suffer in many places due to many flooding rivers like Yamuna. Incidents of landslides have also occurred in hilly areas," he said.
The power of collective effort was witnessed during these times, he added.
