Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that collective efforts would help young people without political background to rise in politics and stressed that the spirit shown by these people in the freedom struggle was again required to achieve the goal of ‘Viksit Bharat’.
In his monthly radio programme “Mann Ki Baat”, Modi said his Independence Day appeal to 100,000 young people with no political background to join politics had drawn widespread reactions, with some youth saying dynastic politics was destroying new talent.
“This year, from the Red Fort, I appealed to 100,000 young people with no political background to join the political system. This appeal elicited a tremendous response. We now know that many of our young people are eager to enter politics,” Modi said.
They are just looking for the right opportunity and the right guidance, he added. “I have also received letters from youth across the country on this issue. The response on social media too has been tremendous. People have sent me many suggestions. Some youth have written in their letters that it is really unimaginable for them. Due to the lack of political legacy from their grandfathers or parents, they could not enter politics despite their desire,” the Prime Minister said.
Some young people have written that they have extensive experience in working at the grassroots level and could therefore be helpful in solving people’s problems, he said.
“Some young people have also written that dynastic politics is suppressing new talent. Some young people have mentioned that such efforts would add strength to our democracy. I thank everyone who sent suggestions on this issue,” Modi said.
He hoped that through joint efforts, young people without a political background could also gain a foothold in politics.
Their experience and zeal will prove useful for the country, Modi said. “Even during the freedom struggle, many such people came forward who had no political background. They took the plunge to win India’s freedom. Once again, we need the same spirit to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat,” he said.
He urged the youth to actively join this campaign. “This step of yours will change your future and the future of the country,” Modi said.
During the programme, Modi also spoke to young entrepreneurs, IIT-Madras graduates who run space start-up GalaxEye, and showcased their work. They praised the growing, vibrant space ecosystem in the country.
The Prime Minister said the country’s youth have benefited greatly from various reforms in the space sector.
On the occasion, he mentioned that India celebrated its first National Space Day on August 23 to mark the first anniversary of the successful landing of its spacecraft on the moon. Modi also noted that the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ and ‘Poora Desh Tiranga’ campaigns were a resounding success.
“We saw the tricolour flying on houses as well as schools, colleges and universities. Some people had the tricolour adorned their shops and offices… others did the same on their desktops, mobile phones and vehicles. When people join hands to express a feeling, it adds unparalleled glory to any campaign,” Modi said.
He pointed out that a Tiranga rally with a 750-metre-long flag was also held on the Chenab Railway Bridge, the highest in the world.
“We all have seen mesmerising pictures of the Tiranga Yatra on the Dal Lake in Srinagar. A yatra involving a 600-foot long tiranga was conducted in East Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. Similarly, in other states of the country too, people of all ages participated in such Tiranga Yatras,” Modi said.
This campaign has turned the entire country into a network of togetherness and that is exactly what “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” is, he said.
In his radio address, Modi also cited the example of Barekuri village in Assam, where the people of the Moran community have a close bond with white-handed gibbons.
“When they realized that gibbons love bananas very much, they started growing bananas on their farms. They also decided to perform rituals related to the birth and death of gibbons, just like they would have done for their loved ones. They also gave the gibbons names,” he said.
“Recently, the gibbons were in distress because of power lines nearby. In this case, the villagers brought the problem to the attention of the government and a solution was quickly found,” he said.
He also cited another example of the bond between humans and animals: young people in Arunachal Pradesh have started using 3D printing technology to protect wild animals from being hunted for their horns and tusks.
The Prime Minister also praised the efforts of the people behind a park in Jhabua in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, where beautiful works of art have been created out of waste.
The Prime Minister also championed toy recycling, saying it was another area where “we can work together”.
“You also know that many children get bored of their toys after a very short time, but there are also children for whom such toys are a dream. Toys that your children no longer play with can be given away to places where they can still be of use,” he said.
Modi also urged people to participate in nutrition awareness campaigns. “A small effort on your part will go a long way in the fight against malnutrition,” he said.
Modi also mentioned that August 29 is Telugu Bhasha Diwas. “It is truly an amazing language. I wish all Telugu speakers across the world a very happy Telugu Bhasha Diwas,” he said.
Modi also urged people to join the Catch the Rain movement.
“The Paris Paralympics are about to begin. Our Divyang brothers and sisters have arrived there. 140 million Indians are cheering for our athletes and players. Please encourage our players with #Cheer4bharat,” he said.
