Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the proposed Gaganyaan mission will be a historic achievement for India in 21st Century. In his Mann Ki Baat programme on All India Radio, Mr Modi said it will prove to be a milestone for New India.
Prime Minister said, as India celebrates its 75th year of Independence in 2022, the country has to fulfill the pledge to take an Indian into the space through the Gaganyaan mission.
Mr Modi praised the four pilots of the Indian Airforce who have been selected as astronauts for the mission and their forthcoming training in Russia. After their training for over a year, they will shoulder the responsibility of carrying the hopes and aspirations of the nation and soaring into space, he said.
Prime Minister said these promising youngsters symbolise India’s skill, talent, ability, courage and dreams.
Mr Modi said violence cannot be a solution to any issue and any problem can be resolved by seeking solutions and not by creating another one. Prime Minister appealed to the people to return to the mainstream especially those who are still seeking solutions to problems through violence and weapons.
Mr Modi said, few days ago in Assam, 644 militants from eight militant groups, surrendered with their weapons and expressed faith in peace and decided to become a partner in the progress of the nation. He added that in Tripura more than 80 people left the path of violence last year. Mr Modi said, those who had picked up weapons thinking violence could solve problems, now firmly believe that the only way to solve any dispute is peace and togetherness.
The Prime Minister said, insurgency in the North-East has come down and efforts are being made to resolve the issues of the region in the right earnest and peacefully through dialogue. He called upon people to build a new India together where every issue is resolved on a platform of peace. He said, solidarity is the key to resolve every issue and brotherhood will foil any attempts by the separatists to divide the people.
The Prime Minister said, the new decade of 2020, has brought a new ray of hope in the life of the Bru-Reang community. He was referring to the agreement which has ended the 25 year old problem of Bru-Reang refugee crisis. Mr. Modi said, around 34 thousand Bru refugees will be rehabilitated in Tripura and government will provide an assistance of around 600 crore rupees for rehabilitation and all-round development.
With this , they will now be able to garner the benefit of the public welfare schemes. Mr Modi said, the agreement is special as it symbolises the spirit of cooperative federalism and it epitomises the inherent compassion and sensitivity of Indian culture.
Congratulating Assam Government and the people of the state for successfully hosting 3rd Khelo India Games, the Prime Minister said, six thousand sportspersons from different states participated in it.
80 records were broken at the mega sporting event out of which 56 records were registered in the name of girls. Mr Modi said, in just three years, through Khelo India Games, thirty-two hundred gifted children have emerged on the sporting horizon. He lauded how parents of some of the participants did not allow poverty to become a hurdle for the future of their children. Mr Modi said, Government has now decided to organize Khelo India University Games and the first edition of Games will be held in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar in Odisha from 22nd of next month.
The Prime Minister expressed confidence that after interaction with students in Pariksha Pe Charcha, the youth is brimming with self-confidence and is ready to take on the challenges. He said, Fit India School campaign which began November last year is yielding results and more than 65 thousand schools have obtained the Fit India School certificates. Mr Modi urged the schools to integrate physical activity and sports with education. He also appealed countrymen to promote more physical activity in their daily routine.
The Prime Minister appreciated the participation of people in water conservation saying extensive and innovative efforts are under way in every corner of the country to save water. He said, Jal-Shakti Campaign which commenced last monsoon is taking rapid and successful strides with public participation. He said, a large number of lakes and ponds have been built and people from all strata of society contributed wholeheartedly in it.
The Prime Minister said, like every year, last evening Padma awards were announced and he urged people to read up about each of the awardees. He said, Padma Awards have now become the Peoples’s awards. He said, this year over 46 thousand nominations were received for the Padma awards which is more than twenty times the number of nominations received in 2014. He said, many among the awardees are those who have risen from the bottom of the pyramid through their hard work. He said, they overcame limitations of resources and despair around them and forged ahead. He said, the strong resolve, spirit of selfless service of the awardees inspires everyone.
The Prime Minister said, the extraordinary stories of their lives will inspire the society in the true spirit.
Mr Modi mentioned about Shailesh from Bihar who shared a Mann Ki Baat Charter that offered glimpses of the issues covered in the monthly radio programme over various episodes. He said, the Mann Ki Baat Charter is very innovative and people can join any cause of their choice listed in the Mann Ki Baat Charter. People using the hashtag can share their contribution. He said, when every Indian takes a step forward, it results in India going ahead by a 130 crore steps.
Wishing the countrymen on Republic Day celebrations, the Prime Minister hoped that the new decade will bring new resolve and new achievements for each citizen and for the country. He also hoped that India will surely achieve the capabilities to fulfil the expectations that the world has from India. He called upon people to serve mother India with a new resolve.
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