Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who concluded his official three-day visit to the United States, on Sunday, urged people to celebrate the “river festival” on the occasion of “World River Day” to connect with the traditions which are associated with rivers for centuries in our country.
The little over 30-minute speech, which was pre-recorded before PM Modi left for New York on 24 September, was broadcast on All India Radio and Doordarshan and on AIR News website and mobile app. The radio programme comes after the PM’s visit to the United States where he addressed the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Addressing the 81st episode of his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’, PM Modi said, “We mark so many days, but there is one more day we should celebrate. It is ‘World River Day’. This day is such which is very consistent with the traditions of India.”
He called September an important month, a month when we celebrate World River Day, and said it is a day to remember the contribution of our rivers that selflessly provide us with water. The Prime Minister said for Indian rivers are not a “physical thing, but a living entity”.
Quoting a Sanskrit couplet, PM Modi said that rivers do not drink their own water but give mankind the gift of water, indicating that just the way rivers selflessly provide water for humans, people too should take steps to preserve them and keep them clean. He talked about the role rivers plays in Indian tradition, from festivals being celebrated near their ghats to the chanting of the shloka during ablutions.
Underlining the importance of rainwater harvesting in Indian culture, he compared the traditional festivals of Jal-Jeelani Ekadashi and Chhatt with the National Water Mission’s (NWM) campaign “Catch The Rain”.
“In the western parts of India, especially Gujarat and Rajasthan, there is a scarcity of water and suffer droughts. In Gujarat, at the beginning of the rainy season people celebrate ‘Jal-Jilani Ekadashi’ it is similar to what we call today ‘Catch the Rain’…accumulating each and every drop of water. In Bihar and other parts of the east, the festival of Chhath is celebrated,” said PM Modi, adding that Indian scriptures distinctly disapprove of polluting rivers, “even a bit”, and our traditions have been synchronous with the thought.
PM Modi appreciated the efforts of two brothers in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama for setting up a vermicomposting unit and not only creating new means of self-employment in tune with Aatmanirbhar Bharat but also generating employment opportunities.
“Bilal Ahmed Sheikh and Munir Ahmed Sheikh found new avenues for themselves in Pulwama. 39 years old Bilal Ahmed Ji is highly qualified, he has obtained many degrees. He is now using his experience of higher education by launching his own start-up in agriculture. Bilal Ji has installed a unit of Vermicomposting at his home,” PM Modi said.
The bio-fertiliser prepared from this unit has not only benefited a lot in agriculture, but it has also brought employment opportunities to the people. Every year, farmers are getting about three thousand quintals of vermicompost from the units managed by these brothers,” he added.PM Modi also informed that 15 people are presently working in their vermicomposting unit.“The Sheikh brothers of Pulwama took a pledge to become a job creator instead of a job seeker and today they are showing a new path not only to Jammu and Kashmir but to the people across the country as well,” he said.
Urging the eligible unvaccinated population to get their Covid-19 vaccine jabs at the earliest, the Prime Minister said that no one should be devoid of ‘Suraksha Chakra’ (protection circle).
“Team India is making new records every day, including in vaccination which has made records internationally… We have to get the vaccine administered when our turn comes, but we also have to take care that no one is left out of the ‘Suraksha Chakra’. Those around you who have not got vaccinated also have to be taken to the vaccine centers,” he stated.
Underscoring the fact that festival season is approaching, the Prime Minister said that India has to continue its fight against Covid-19. “Even after getting vaccinated, the necessary protocol has to be followed. I hope that once again Team India will keep the flag flying high in this fight,” he added.
PM Modi also urged the start-ups to pay special attention to Ayurvedic and herbal products as India has witnessed an immense increase in their export over the years. He said that these products do not only increase the wellness and immunity of the people but also help in increasing the income of our farmers and youth.
PM Modi said, “With the trend of people around the world regarding medicinal plants and herbal products increasing, India has immense potential. In the past, there has been a significant increase in the export of Ayurvedic and herbal products. I urge scientists, researchers and people associated with the start-up world to pay attention to such products.”
Commending farmer for planting medicinal plants PM Modi gave special mention to Odisha’s Patayat Sahu who has planted medicinal plants on one and a half acres of land and had carried out documentation of them.
Aloe Vera cultivation by women in Ranchi’s village was also mentioned during the monthly radio programme. “The women of Deori village near Ranchi had undergone training in Aloe Vera cultivation from Birsa Agricultural School under the leadership of Manju Kachhap ji. After this, they started cultivating aloe vera. Not only did this farming benefit in the field of health; the income of these women also increased,” he said.
‘Mann ki Baat’ is the Prime Minister’s monthly radio address, which is broadcast on the last Sunday of every month.