In the 124th episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’, the Prime Minister addressed the nation with a message of pride and inspiration, celebrating India’s recent achievements across science, sports, culture, and social development. He began by acknowledging the nation’s excitement over Shubhanshu Shukla’s safe return from space, drawing parallels to the national euphoria during Chandrayaan-3’s successful lunar landing in August 2023. The Prime Minister emphasized the growing curiosity among children about space and science, noting the surge in participation in the INSPIRE-MANAK Abhiyan, a campaign promoting innovation among schoolchildren. The number of space start-ups in India has quadrupled in five years, rising from fewer than 50 to over 200.
He announced that August 23 will be celebrated as National Space Day and invited citizens to share their ideas for the occasion via the NaMo App. The Prime Minister also lauded Indian students who won medals in the International Chemistry Olympiad and the International Mathematical Olympiad held in Australia, where India secured three golds, two silvers, and one bronze. He highlighted the upcoming Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad in Mumbai, which will host participants from over 60 countries, making it the largest such event to date.
UNESCO’s recognition of 12 Maratha forts as World Heritage Sites was another point of pride. Eleven of these forts are in Maharashtra and one in Tamil Nadu. The Prime Minister recounted the historical significance of forts such as Salher, Shivneri, Khanderi, Pratapgarh, and Vijaydurg, praising their architectural brilliance and the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He urged citizens to visit these forts and learn about their history. He also mentioned other iconic forts across India, including Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore, Amer, Jaisalmer, Gulbarga, Chitradurga, Kalinjar, Gwalior, Jhansi, Datia, Ajaygarh, Garhkundar, and Chanderi, calling them symbols of India’s heritage and self-respect.
The Prime Minister paid tribute to Khudiram Bose, recalling his martyrdom on August 11, 1908, and the courage he displayed at just 18 years of age. He reflected on August as a month of revolution, marking the death anniversary of Bal Gangadhar Tilak on August 1, the launch of the Quit India Movement on August 8, Independence Day on August 15, and Partition Horrors Remembrance Day on August 14.
He commemorated the Swadeshi Movement, which began on August 7, 1905, and highlighted the significance of National Handloom Day, celebrated annually on the same date. This year marks a decade of the observance. The Prime Minister shared success stories from the textile sector, including Kavita Dhawale from Paithan, Maharashtra, who now earns three times more by selling Paithani sarees, and over 650 tribal women in Mayurbhanj, Odisha, who revived the Santhali saree. Naveen Kumar from Nalanda, Bihar, has modernized his family’s handloom tradition, with his children now studying handloom technology and working with major brands. The Prime Minister noted that over 3,000 textile start-ups are currently active in India, contributing to the global recognition of Indian handloom.
He emphasized the importance of being ‘vocal for local’ and urged citizens to support Indian-made products. He praised the Radhakrishna Sankirtan Mandali in Keonjhar, Odisha, led by Pramila Pradhan, for raising awareness about forest fires through traditional kirtans, demonstrating the power of folk traditions in guiding societal change.
The Prime Minister spotlighted efforts to preserve India’s ancient knowledge through manuscripts. He commended Mani Maran from Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, for teaching people to read Tamil palm leaf manuscripts, leading to research in traditional medicine. He announced the ‘Gyan Bharatam Mission’, a government initiative to digitize ancient manuscripts and create a National Digital Repository for global access.
He shared the success of the Grassland Bird Census in Kaziranga National Park, Assam, where over 40 bird species were identified using sound recording devices and AI, showcasing the synergy of technology and environmental sensitivity.
The transformation of Gumla district in Jharkhand was highlighted as a beacon of hope. Once plagued by Maoist violence, the area has seen a revolution in fish farming led by Om Prakash Sahu, who left violence behind and inspired others to do the same. Supported by the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, over 150 families in Basia block have embraced fish farming, with many former Naxalites now living dignified lives and creating employment.
India’s stellar performance at the World Police and Fire Games in the United States was celebrated, with the country winning nearly 600 medals and ranking among the top three out of 71 nations. The Prime Minister announced that India will host the games in 2029, promising a showcase of Indian hospitality and sports culture.
He acknowledged the positive feedback on the newly launched ‘Khelo Bharat Niti 2025’, aimed at making India a sporting superpower. The policy prioritizes villages, the poor, and daughters, integrating sports into daily life in schools and colleges, and supporting sports-related start-ups. He envisioned a future where Indian youth play with self-made equipment, strengthening the mission of self-reliance.
The Prime Minister reiterated the enduring relevance of the Swachh Bharat Mission, which is nearing its 11th anniversary. He praised the mass participation in this year’s Swachh Survey, with over 4,500 cities and towns and more than 150 million people involved. He cited innovative waste management practices in Kirtinagar, Mangaluru, Roing, Karad, Vijayawada, and Ahmedabad. He highlighted the efforts of ‘Sakaratmak Soch’, a group of 200 women in Bhopal, and the Gomti River team in Lucknow, which has been cleaning the river every Sunday for a decade. He also mentioned the transformative work of women in Bilha, Chhattisgarh, and Panaji, Goa, where waste is segregated into 16 categories, earning the city a President’s award.
Concluding his address, the Prime Minister extended festive greetings for Hariyali Teej, Nag Panchami, Raksha Bandhan, and Janmashtami, celebrating the cultural and ecological harmony these festivals represent. He encouraged citizens to continue sharing their thoughts and experiences, promising to return next month with more stories of achievement and inspiration.
