‘No Mann Ki Baat for 3 months’
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 25: Mohammad Manshah Khakhi, a noted Gojri writer hailing from Ganderbal district in the Kashmir valley today figured in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s monthly Mann Ki Baat Radio address.
“Mohammad Manshah of Ganderbal in Jammu and Kashmir has been engaged in efforts to preserve the Gojri language for last three decades. He comes from Gujjar Bakerwal, a tribal community,’’ Modi said in his address.
He added that in his childhood, Manshah had to work hard to study and used to cover a distance of 20 kilometers on foot every day.
“Amidst such challenges, he obtained a Masters degree and it was only then that his resolve to preserve his language became stronger,’’ the Prime Minister said, adding the scope of Manshah’s work in the field of literature is so extensive that it has been conserved in about 50 volumes which include poems and folk songs.
“Manshah has translated many books in Gojri language,’’ Modi said.
Meanwhile, speaking to a news agency, Mohammad Manshah Khakhi thanked the Prime Minister for his mention in Mann Ki Baat address for preserving Gojri language for three decades.
Meanwhile, Modi said today that his monthly ‘Mann Ki Baat’ broadcast will not be aired for the next three months in line with political ethics in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
In the 110th episode of the programme, he asked first-time voters to poll in record numbers in the elections and said their maiden vote should be cast for the country.
With the general elections expected in April-May, he said there is a possibility that the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) will be enforced in March like it was done in 2019, a reference to the expected announcement of the election schedule sometime next month.
The MCC guidelines of the Election Commission asks Governments to not use official events or public-funded platforms for something that may be seen to give the ruling party publicity or political advantage.
The Prime Minister said it is a big success of the programme that it has been kept away even from the shadow of the government during its 110 episodes and asserted that the broadcast has been dedicated to the country’s collective strength and achievements.
“It is a programme of the people, for the people and by the people,” Modi said.
“However, following political ethics the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ will not be broadcast for the next three months during this period of the Lok Sabha elections,” he said.
“When we meet the next time, it will be the 111th episode of the ‘Mann Ki Baat’,” Modi added, noting the auspiciousness associated with the number. What can be better than this, he said.
The Prime Minister has frequently expressed confidence of retaining power in the elections.
The programme was deferred before the 2019 general elections as well.
Modi also appealed to first-time voters to cast their votes in record numbers, asserting that the 18th Lok Sabha will be a symbol of their aspirations.
Citizens are eligible to vote after turning 18.
The youth should not only be a part of political activities but also remain aware of debates and discussions during the period, Modi said.
“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.
Modi hailed ‘nari shakti’ and said it is touching new heights of progress in every field.
He said International Women’s Day on March 8 is an opportunity to salute the contribution of woman power to the country’s developmental journey.
“Great poet Bharatiyar ji has said that the world will prosper only when women get equal opportunities. Today the ‘nari shakti’ (women power) of India is touching new heights of progress in every field,” the Prime Minister said.
Who would have thought till a few years ago that in India, women living in villages too would fly drones, he said.
“But today this is becoming possible. Today 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 Prime Minister also spoke to ‘Drone Didi’ Sunita from Uttar Pradesh’s Sitapur.
She talked about her drone training and how it helps in farming.
“Today there is no region in the country where woman power has lagged behind. Another area where women have demonstrated their leadership abilities is natural farming, water conservation and sanitation,” he said.
The ‘matrishakti’ of the country is playing a big role in saving Mother Earth who is suffering pain and hardships due to chemicals, he said.
“Women are now extending natural farming to every corner of the country. Today, if so much work is being done in the country under the Jal Jeevan Mission, water committees have had a big role to play in it. The leadership of these water committees lies only with women,” Modi pointed out.
Apart from this, sisters and daughters are making all-out efforts for water conservation, he said.
Modi also spoke with Kalyani Prafulla Patil from Maharashtra and lauded her work in moving towards natural farming.
“Whether it is Sunita ji or Kalyani ji, the success of woman power in myriad fields is very inspiring. I once again appreciate this spirit of our woman power from the core of my heart,” the Prime Minister said.
In his broadcast, Modi also talked about the increasing importance of technology in people’s lives.
“Mobile phones and digital gadgets have become an important part of everyone’s life… With the help of digital gadgets, we are now getting help in creating a balance with wild animals,” he said.
The Prime Minister noted that a few days later, on March 3, it is ‘World Wildlife Day’, and said this day is celebrated with the aim of spreading awareness on the conservation of wild animals.
“This year, digital innovation has been kept paramount in the theme of World Wildlife Day. You will be happy to know that technology is being used extensively for the conservation of wildlife in different parts of our country,” Modi said.
During the last few years, the number of tigers in the country has increased due to the Government’s efforts, he noted.
“The number of tigers in the tiger reserve of Chandrapur, Maharashtra has risen to more than 250,” he said.
“The help of artificial intelligence is being taken to reduce conflict between humans and tigers in Chandrapur district. Cameras have been installed on the border of villages and the forest. Whenever a tiger comes near a village, local people get an alert on their mobile phones with the help of AI,” the prime minister said.
Today, this system has ensured convenience to the people in the 13 villages around this tiger reserve and the tigers have also got protection, he said.
Modi noted that young entrepreneurs are also working on new innovations for wildlife conservation and eco-tourism.
In Uttarakhand’s Roorkee, Rotor Precision Group in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India has developed a drone which is helping keep an eye on the crocodiles in the Ken river, he said.
Similarly, Modi said, a Bengaluru company has created two mobile apps — Bagheera and Garuda.
With the Bagheera app, the speed of a vehicle and other activities can be monitored during a jungle safari, and the Garuda app uses artificial intelligence and Internet of Things to provide real-time alerts when connected to any CCTV, Modi said.
With every such effort towards wildlife conservation, the country’s biodiversity is becoming richer, he added.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
