New Delhi, 26 Feb. 2023: I am feeling very happy to join you all in this 98th episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’. In this journey towards a century, all of you have made ‘Mann Ki Baat’ a wonderful platform as an expression of public participation. Every month, in millions of messages, the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ of lots of people reaches out to me. You know the power of your mind… Similarly, how the might of the country increases with the strength of the society…this we have seen and understood in different episodes of ‘Mann Ki Baat’. And I have experienced it – have also accepted it. I remember the day when we talked about encouraging traditional sports of India in ‘Mann Ki Baat’. Immediately at that time, a wave arose in the country to join Indian Sports, to enjoy them, to learn them. In ‘Mann Ki Baat’, when we referred to Indian toys, the people of the country promoted this too, readily. Nowadays, Indian toys have become such a craze that their demand has increased even in foreign countries. When we spoke of Indian genres of story-telling in ‘Mann Ki Baat’, their fame also reached far and wide. People started getting attracted towards the Indian story-telling genre, more and more.
Friends, you might remember that on Sardar Patel’s birth anniversary i.e. ‘Unity Day’, we talked of three competitions in ‘Mann Ki Baat’. These competitions, ‘Geet’ – Patriotic Songs, ‘Lullabies’ and ‘Rangoli’ were associated with it. I am glad to inform you, that more than 5 lakh people from more than 700 districts across the country have participated in this enthusiastically. Children, adults and the elderly enthusiastically participated and entries have been sent in more than 20 languages. Many many congratulations to all the participants in these competitions from my side. Each one of you, in your own right is a champion, an art seeker. You all have shown how much love you have for the diversity and culture of your country.
Friends, E-Sanjeevani is becoming a life-saving app for the common man of the country, for the middle class, for the people living in hilly areas. This is the power of India’s digital revolution. And today we are seeing its effect in every field. You also know the power of India’s UPI. Many countries of the world are drawn towards it. Just a few days ago, UPI-Pay Now Link has been launched between India and Singapore. Now, people of Singapore and India are transferring money from their mobile phones in the same way as they do within their respective countries. I am glad that people have started taking advantage of it. Be it India’s E-SanjeevaniApp or UPI, these have proved to be very helpful in raising the Ease of Living.
What I am going to tell you now will make you really happy…you will be proud of our heritage. Kanchan Banerjee, who lives in America, has drawn my attention to one such campaign related to the preservation of heritage. I congratulate him. Friends, this month, ‘Tribeni Kumbho Mohotshav’ was organized in Bansberia of Hooghly district in West Bengal. More than eight lakh devotees participated in it…But do you know why it is so special? It is special, since this practice has been revived after 700 years. Although this tradition is thousands of years old, but unfortunately this festival which used to take place in Tribeni, Bengal was stopped 700 years ago. It should have been started after independence, but that too could not happen. Two years ago, the festival has been started again by the local people and through ‘Tribeni Kumbho Porichalona Shomiti’.
