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NEW DRONE POLICY SHOWING GREAT RESULTS, SAYS PM

PM Modi, during his Mann ki Baat, spoke of how drones were being used to prepare digital land records in villages. He also spoke of the exponential rise in the number of women security personnel.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that India’s new drone policy is already showing great results and highlighted that India is one of the first countries in the world to prepare digital records of land in its villages with the help of drones. Addressing the monthly radio programme Mann ki Baat on Sunday, PM Modi said, “One of the things that is capturing people’s imagination is the usage of drones in India. Youngsters and the world of start-ups are very interested in this subject.” “The drone sector was filled with too many restrictions and regulations. This has changed in recent times. The new drone policy is already showing great results,” he added.

The Prime Minister said, “On 25 August this year, the country came up with a new drone policy. This policy has been made according to the present and future possibilities related to drones. In this, you will no longer have to get involved in filling up many forms, nor will you have to pay high fees as before.”

In his address, the Prime Minister said that Nano-urea was sprayed in fields through drones in Bhavnagar, Gujarat. “Drones are also playing their role in Covid vaccine campaign. We saw this in Manipur, where vaccines were delivered via a drone to an island. Telangana also did trials for vaccine delivery by drone,” said PM Modi.

“India is one of the first countries in the world, which is preparing digital records of land in its villages with the help of drones. India is working extensively on using drones for transportation,” he added.

“Mann ki Baat” is the Prime Minister’s monthly radio address, which is broadcast on the last Sunday of every month however, this time the programme was broadcast on the second last Sunday of the month.

While speaking about India breaching the 1 billion vaccination mark against Covid, the PM said, “The success of our vaccination programme shows the potential of India, shows the power of the mantra of everyone’s efforts.” “I am well aware of the capabilities of my country, the people of my country. I knew that our healthcare workers would leave no stone unturned to vaccinate countrymen,” he added.

He also said that the nation should take inspiration in patriotism and unity from Sardar Patel, whose birth anniversary on 31 October is observed as National Unity Day.

“Next Sunday on 31 October is the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel. On behalf of every listener of ‘Mann Ki Baat’, and on my behalf, I bow to the Iron Man,” he said. “Sardar Patel used to say ‘We can inculcate patriotic feeling only if we stay united. With unity, we can take the country to new heights. If we are not united, then we will only be troubled with new difficulties’,” the PM added.

“Recently, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has also launched a book on pictorial biography of Sardar Patel. I urge everybody to read this book and get learn the lesson of unity,” he said.

“Gujarat Police and Tripura police have started bike rallies to the Statue of Unity in Gujarat. The initiative is a symbol of patriotism and unity,” he added. “Even, women of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district are also stitching Indian flags for the Indian and government offices. This action shows their patriotic feeling for the country,” he added.

The Prime Minister further appealed to everybody to stay united and do something for the nation. “We all have an obligation that we must join some activity that gives the message of unity,” he added.

The Prime Minister also recalled India’s efforts towards world peace and global wellness during Mann Ki Baat. Addressing the programme, PM Modi said, “India has always worked for world peace. The country has been participating in UN Peacekeeping Missions since 1950. We are also playing a leading role in poverty alleviation, climate change and issues related to labourers.” The Prime Minister also said that India is working together with World Health Organisation (WHO) to popularise yoga and AYUSH since March 2021. “A global centre for traditional medicine will be established in India,” he said.

PM Modi stated that Indian women have a big role in enhancing the power of the United Nations.

“When a universal declaration of UN human rights was being prepared in 1947, it was written that ‘All men are created equal’. However, an Indian woman delegate, Hansa Mehta interrupted and made a change to this universal declaration. After her interruption, it was written ‘All human beings are created equal’.” He added that another delegate, Lakshmi Menon also spoke vigorously on the issue of gender equality. “In 1953, Vijaya Lakshmi became the first woman President of UN General Assembly,” he added.

The Prime Minister also recalled the police personnel who had laid down their lives in the line of duty and highlighted that the presence of women security personnel naturally instils a sense of confidence among the people, especially women. The Prime Minister said, “Just a few days ago, on 21 October, we celebrated Police Commemoration Day. On this day we especially remember our brave hearts of the police who have laid down their lives in the service of the country. Today I would like to remember these policemen along with their families. A tough service like the police is very difficult without the support and sacrifice of the family.” “There is one more thing related to police service that I want to convey to the listeners of ‘Mann Ki Baat’. Earlier it was believed that services like army and police are meant only for men. But today it is not so. The statistics from the Bureau of Police Research and Development show that in the last few years, the number of women police personnel has doubled. In 2014, while their number was close to 1 lakh 5 thousand, by 2020 it has increased by more than double and this number has now reached up to 2 lakh 15 thousand,” the Prime Minister said.

“Even in the Central Armed Police Forces, the number of women has almost doubled in the last seven years. And I’m not talking just about numbers. Today the daughters of the country are performing even the toughest duties with full force and zeal. For example, many daughters are currently undergoing one of the most difficult training, that of Specialized Jungle Warfare Commandos. They will be a part of our Cobra Battalion. Friends, today when we go to airports, metro stations or see government offices, brave women of CISF are seen guarding every sensitive place.”

“The presence of women security personnel naturally instils a sense of confidence among the people, especially women. They naturally feel connected to women security personnel. Because of the sensitivity in women, people tend to trust them more. These policewomen of ours are also becoming role models for lakhs of other daughters of the country. I would like to request the women police personnel to visit the schools in their areas once the schools open and talk to the girls there,” the PM said.

While talking about Swachh Bharat, the Prime Minister mentioned, “A woman, Prabha Shukla from Meerut in Uttar Pradesh has sent me a letter related to cleanliness in which she has written that we should make cleanliness a daily habit because the whole country will become clean then.” Appreciating Shukla’s message, the Prime Minister said that cleanliness brings health and prosperity. “I appreciate Prabha’s message. Indeed, where there is cleanliness, there is health, where there is health, there is capability, and where there is capability, there is prosperity. That is why the country is giving so much emphasis on Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.”

The Prime Minister also emphasised on the “Vocal for Local” campaign while shopping for the upcoming festive season and requested the countrymen to take a pledge to ensure cleanliness in the neighbourhood. The Prime Minister said if one buys a Made in India product, then the house of a poor brother or sister, an artisan, or a weaver will also be lit up in positivity. “Friends, the efforts of cleanliness can be fully successful only when every citizen understands cleanliness as his or her responsibility. Now, during Diwali, we are all about to get involved in cleaning our houses. But during this time we have to take care that our neighbourhood along with our house should also be clean. It should not be that we clean our house, but the dirt of our house reaches outside, on our roads,” the Prime Minister said.

“And yes, when I talk about cleanliness, then please do not forget the mantra of getting rid of single-use plastic. Come, let us take a pledge that we will not let the enthusiasm of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan diminish. Together, we will make our country completely clean and keep it clean,” PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister said that the whole month of October is painted in the hues of festivals and after a few days from now Diwali will be around the corner. Diwali, then Govardhan Puja, then Bhai Dooj, these three festivals shall of course be there and there will also be Chhath Puja during this interregnum.

“It is also the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji in November. When so many festivals happen together then their preparations also start long before. All of you must have started planning for shopping from now on, but do you remember, shopping means ‘vocal for local’. If you buy local, then your festival will also be illuminated and the house of a poor brother or sister, an artisan, or a weaver will also be lit up. I am sure that the campaign which we all have started together will be stronger this time during the festivals. Do share on social media about the local products you buy from there too. Inform those around you too,” said the Prime Minister.

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