Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated the people for a “momentous feat” of 400 billion US dollar exports and said that it signifies the country’s potential and capability. “India has achieved the target of 400 billion dollar exports. It has filled us with pride This signifies India’s capabilities and potential. It means that the demand for Indian goods is rising in the world,” said PM Modi in his monthly radio programme “Mann Ki Baat’” He said that India is reaching different corners and new markets in the world. “There was a time when the figure of exports from India used to be 100 billion, at times 150 billion, sometimes 200 billion. India has reached 400 billion dollars,” he said. He said that the success of small entrepreneurs is a thing of pride. “Many fruits and vegetables like Ladakh’s apricot, Tamil Nadu’s bananas, Himachal’s millets are reaching the world. The list of ‘Make in India’ products are as huge as our potential and hard work of our farmers, manufacturers and industry,” said the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister said that earlier it was believed only big people could sell products to the Government, but the GeM Portal has changed this, illustrating the spirit of a “New India”. “Right from Bijapur’s fruits and vegetables to the black rice from Chandoli we are seeing exponential exports. The best part is that our exports are being supplied to new destinations like Denmark, South Korea, London, Kenya among other nations,” he said. “When each and every Indian is vocal for local, it does not take long for the local to become global. Let’s make the local ‘global’ and augment the prestige of our products further,” he added. Speaking further, the Prime Minister said, “Today our small entrepreneurs are playing a major partner
ship role in government procurement through Government e-Market place-GeM. A much more transparent system has been developed through technology.”
Addressing the 87th episode of ‘Mann ki Baat’, PM Modi also said, “I would request the listeners of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ to reiterate our resolves that we should save every drop of water. Also, we must give equal emphasis on recycling water. The water used at home can be used in pots, can be used in gardening, and must be reused. With a little effort, you can make such arrangements in your homes.” He also urged the children to be at the forefront of water conservation efforts. “In this task of saving water, I have high hopes from children. Just as our children made cleanliness a movement, they can help save water by becoming ‘Water Warriors’,” PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister also shared several examples from across the country of the people who have made water conservation their life mission. He cited the example of “Pots for water of life” by Mupattam Sri Narayanan of Kerala. Lauding his initiative, PM Modi said, “Mupattam Sri Narayanan ji is running a campaign to distribute earthen pots so that animals and birds do not go thirsty during summer. In summer, he used to get upset seeing the plight of animals and birds. Then he thought… why not start distributing earthen pots himself so that others were left with only the task of filling water in those pots.” The number of utensils distributed by Narayanan is going to cross one lakh. PM Modi further informed that in his campaign, Narayanan will donate the hundred-thousandth pot to the Sabarmati Ashram established by Mahatma Gandhi.
The Prime Minister also lauded the individual efforts of activists driving the cleanliness campaign in the country while calling upon the people to carry out their duties. “Health is also directly related to cleanliness. In ‘Mann Ki Baat’, we always mention the efforts of the proponents of cleanliness,” said the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister also called upon start-ups in the health sector, especially those in the Ayush sector, to put their content online in all languages recognized by the United Nations and not just remain restricted to English. The Prime Minister underlined that the Ayush manufacturing industry is reaching around Rs 1.40 lakh crore rupees and expressed confidence that Ayush start-ups from India with better quality products will reign all over the world. “I have a request for the start-ups of the health sector and especially the Ayush start-ups. Whatever portal you design online; whatever content you create, try to make it in all the languages recognized by the United Nations,” he said. “There are many such countries in the world where English is neither spoken nor understood much. Promote your information keeping such countries in mind as well. I am sure that soon, Ayush start-ups from India with better quality products will reign all over the world,” he added. Noting that the Ayush industry is continuously expanding, the Prime Minister said that six years ago, the market for medicines related to Ayurveda was around Rs 22,000 crore and it has now reached Rs 1.40 lakh crore. Stating that Mahatma Phule and Babasaheb Ambedkar have left a huge impact on Indian society, Prime Minister Modi also urged people to visit the places associated with them.