Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged the people of the country to take utmost care during the prevailing hot weather and follow the guidelines issued by various government departments in this regard.
Addressing the nation in his monthly radio programme- Mann Ki Baat on Akashvani today, Prime Minister Modi said people should keep drinking water and remain cautious while going out in the sun.
The Prime Minister suggested that people drink different summer drinks, such as Aam Panna, Buttermilk, Lassi, Sattu Sherbet, Bael Pana, Panakam, Neer Mor, Sambaram, Kokum Sherbet, and Sol Kadhi, which are traditionally made in different parts of the country, to beat the heat.
He said such drinks reflect the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. Mr Modi noted that there is no big branding of these drinks, but they embody the experience of generations.
Referring to mangoes, which are often talked about in summer, the Prime Minister said every region has its own mango, its own flavour and its own aroma. He mentioned different varieties of mangoes, such as Langra of Kashi, Alphonso of Maharashtra, Kesar of Gujarat, and Himsagar of West Bengal.
Mr Modi also hailed the contribution of farmers involved in mango cultivation, saying that this journey of the mango is now reaching the global market from the village. He said that these farmers are very special to the agricultural economy.
Prime Minister Modi also mentioned his recent visit to the Netherlands, where, in a special ceremony, ancient copper plates from the Chola period were returned to India.
Mr Modi said, People are sharing joy and expressing pride, and the Tamil community around the world is also particularly enthusiastic about this.’ Mr Modi said these include 21 large and three small copper plates.
He said these copper plates also describe the achievements of the Chola dynasty and reveal how formidable the Chola Empire’s maritime power was. Mr Modi said that they also provide information about their relations with Southeast Asian countries.
The Prime Minister said that the Government is continuously making efforts to preserve such priceless heritage sites in India.
He informed about an important discovery made in Malhar, Chhattisgarh, under the Gyan Bharatam Abhiyan. Mr Modi said that three rare copper plates have been found there related to Maharishi Balarjun of the Panduvanshi dynasty of the 6th-7th centuries.
In his Mann Ki Baat Programme, the Prime Minister talked about the recently held National Senior Athletics Federation Competition in Ranchi, Jharkhand, where nearly 800 athletes participated.
He congratulated Gurinder Veer Singh, Vishal TK, Tejaswin Shankar, Dev Meena and Kuldeep Kumar for breaking four national records in different events. Mr Modi also spoke to Gurinder Veer Singh and Animesh Kujur, who broke records in the 100 metres race.
These athletes also shared their experience with Mr Modi during the programme. Sharing his thoughts, Prime Minister Modi said that astronomy has aroused curiosity in every generation in the country, as it has inspired exploration.
He said that astronomy clubs are becoming increasingly popular across the country, and their activities are visible from big cities to small towns and from schools to parks. He urged the youth to join an astronomy club and visit a planetarium during these holidays.
The Prime Minister also talked about a video showcasing as to how a Gangetic dolphin was saved after being trapped in a canal in Uttar Pradesh. He mentioned that India’s first Ganga dolphin rescue ambulance, built under Namami Gange Abhiyan, has played a huge role in this.
The Prime Minister highlighted that when the Gangetic dolphin is saved, the river’s entire life system is saved, and also a priceless natural heritage for the country’s future generations is saved.
In his address, Prime Minister Modi also appreciated the effort of Saji Valasheril of Aluva in Keralam who runs a swimming club with no fees in which more than 15 thousand people have learnt to swim.
In his address, Prime Minister Modi mentioned the inspiring story of Akash Gupta of Basti in Uttar Pradesh, who made a new beginning with his friends to clean the Manorma River of his village.
Mr Modi also shared a story of Balkrishna Aiya, a retired teacher from Goa who began working towards a solution to the water problem in the Maddi- Tolap Area.
The Prime Minister also talked about Girija Amma, who is a teacher in Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu and runs close to 15 schools. He said, inspired by Mann Ki Baat, she pledged to contribute to the cause of soldiers in the country. She asked the children to contribute one rupee every day for the brave soldiers.
Mr Modi said that through these small contributions, approximately 40 lakh rupees were collected, and a cheque of this amount was handed over to him by Girija Amma.
Prime Minister Modi also mentioned Chennai’s first Hindu school, which completed its 50th anniversary last year. He said the role of this school network in advancing the country’s education and cultural pride is commendable.
He urged all to look around and recognise and appreciate the good work done by people who are constantly working for society and become part of some good cause themselves.