The Impressive TimesTIT Correspondent
info@impressivetimes.com
In the 124th episode of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on Sunday, touching upon the recent milestones across science, sports, culture, and national pride. The Prime Minister lauded India’s achievements in the space sector, international Olympiads, and sustainable development, while also calling for deeper public participation in heritage conservation and environmental protection.
PM Modi began his address by celebrating the safe return of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla from space, noting the national excitement and pride it triggered. Drawing parallels with the success of Chandrayaan-3, he emphasized the growing curiosity among children towards space science and mentioned the government’s INSPIRE-MANAK programme, which is now witnessing record participation post-Chandrayaan.
Highlighting India’s growing ecosystem of space start-ups, Modi pointed out the remarkable growth from fewer than 50 such start-ups five years ago to over 200 today. He encouraged citizens to celebrate National Space Day on August 23 with innovative ideas.
He praised Indian students for their outstanding performance at international academic competitions. Students brought home medals at the International Chemistry Olympiad and the International Mathematical Olympiad held in Australia. India is also set to host the Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad in Mumbai next month, marking it as the largest event of its kind to date.
In a major boost to India’s cultural heritage, UNESCO has accorded World Heritage status to 12 Maratha forts, including 11 in Maharashtra and one in Tamil Nadu. The PM mentioned iconic sites such as Shivneri, Pratapgarh, and Vijaydurg, emphasizing their significance in India’s historical legacy. He also encouraged citizens to visit historic forts across the country, including those in Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh, to connect with India’s past and take pride in it.
The PM paid tribute to freedom fighter Khudiram Bose, recounting his martyrdom at the age of 18. Noting the revolutionary spirit of August, Modi reminded the nation of key events like the death anniversary of Bal Gangadhar Tilak (August 1), the Quit India Movement (August 8), and Independence Day (August 15). He also urged people to reflect on the pain of Partition by observing Partition Horrors Remembrance Day on August 14.
Commemorating the 10th National Handloom Day (August 7), Modi emphasized the vital role of the textile sector in India’s economy. He shared inspiring stories of women weavers and entrepreneurs from Maharashtra, Odisha, and Bihar who have transformed their lives through government support and local enterprise. With over 3,000 textile start-ups active in India, the sector is fast becoming a symbol of cultural pride and economic resilience.
In a unique blend of tradition and activism, the PM highlighted the work of Radhakrishna Sankirtan Mandali in Keonjhar, Odisha. The group, led by Pramila Pradhan, uses devotional songs to raise awareness about forest fires and environmental conservation.
PM Modi introduced a new initiative — Gyan Bharatam Mission — announced in the Union Budget 2025. The mission aims to digitize India’s ancient manuscripts and create a National Digital Repository accessible to students and researchers globally. He cited the efforts of Mani Maran from Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, who is preserving Tamil palm leaf manuscripts and training youth to read them.
The PM lauded a recent Grassland Bird Census at Assam’s Kaziranga National Park, where over 40 bird species were identified using AI-based sound recognition technology. He emphasized the role of technology in advancing biodiversity awareness without disturbing natural habitats.
Citing the inspiring story of Om Prakash Sahu in Jharkhand’s Gumla district, the PM detailed how former Maoist-affected villages are now hubs of fish farming. With support from the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, over 150 families have taken up fish farming, turning their lives around.
India secured nearly 600 medals at the World Police and Fire Games in the US, finishing in the top three among 71 countries. PM Modi congratulated the winning athletes and announced that India will host the event in 2029.
Highlighting the Khelo Bharat Niti 2025, the PM stated that the new sports policy aims to make India a sporting superpower by prioritizing villages, the poor, and women. The policy also supports sports-related start-ups and the manufacturing of sporting goods in India.
Marking 11 years of the Swachh Bharat Mission, PM Modi underlined the movement’s evolution into a people-driven initiative. With participation from over 15 crore citizens this year, the Swachh Survey has become a testament to mass awareness.
He acknowledged exemplary efforts in cities like Kirtinagar (Uttarakhand), Mangaluru (Karnataka), Roing (Arunachal Pradesh), and Ahmedabad (Gujarat). Women-led groups in Bhopal, Lucknow, Chhattisgarh, and Panaji were specially recognized for their grassroots work in waste management and public hygiene.
The PM concluded his address with greetings for upcoming festivals such as Hariyali Teej, Nag Panchami, Raksha Bandhan, and Janmashtami. He encouraged people to celebrate these occasions with a renewed sense of connection to nature and heritage.
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