Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 112th episode of his monthly radio program, ‘Mann ki Baat,’ on Sunday, where he announced the launch of a national narcotics helpline, ‘Manas,’ aiming to “make India drugs-free.”
He stated, “I have often discussed with you the challenge of the drug menace. Every family is worried that their child might get caught in the grip of drugs. Now to help such people, the government has opened a special centre named Manas.”
Celebrating the inclusion of Assam’s Moidams, the burial mounds of Ahom royalty, in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list, he encouraged people to add the site to their travel itineraries, saying “a country can only progress by taking pride in its own culture.”
“I remember that on March 9 this year, I had the privilege of unveiling the tallest statue of the great Ahom warrior Lachit Borphukan, a symbol of indomitable courage and bravery,” he added.
PM Modi also invited participants of the 64th International Mathematics Olympiad, who secured fourth place for India in the competition, to speak on the program and share their experiences. The PM connected with them over a phone call.
Against the backdrop of the Paris Olympics, Modi urged people to cheer for Indian athletes as they compete on the international stage.
In his first Mann Ki Baat episode after becoming Prime Minister, Modi had congratulated the Election Commission of India (ECI) and thanked the public for the smooth conduct of the elections.
He said, “Today, I also thank the countrymen for reiterating their unwavering faith in our Constitution and the democratic systems of the country. The 2024 elections were the biggest elections in the world. An election as big as this, in which 65 crore people cast their votes, has never taken place in any other country in the world.”
‘Mann Ki Baat’ was on hiatus until June, adhering to the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) guidelines of the Election Commission, which advises against using official events or publicly funded platforms for giving the ruling party publicity or any electoral advantage.