Mann Ki Baat | Celebrate contributions of women: PM

New Delhi, Feb 25: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 110th episode of his radio talk show 'Mann Ki Baat' Sunday said that International Women's Day, which is to be celebrated on March 8, provides an opportunity to salute the contribution of women power to the nation's journey of development.

The PM said that today women in India are reaching new heights of progress in every field.

"Who would have thought that women residing in our villages would also fly drones, but today this is happening. There is so much discussion about 'Drone Didi' in every village, and the name of 'Namo Drone Didi' is on everyone's lips,” he said.

During the programme, PM Modi spoke with Sunita Devi, also known as 'Drone Didi,' who resides in Uttar Pradesh's Sitapur.

He asked Devi about how she began her journey as 'Drone Didi' and where she received her training.

Devi informed the PM that she received her training from Phulpur in Allahabad.

He inquired if she had heard about drones before, to which Devi replied that she first saw a drone at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Sitapur.

She told the PM that during her training, she was initially taught theory and informed about drones.

Devi said that it was difficult to go to the fields when the crops were tall or during the rainy season, and in such cases, pesticides could be sprayed in the fields using drones.

She shared that she had already sprayed pesticides over 35 acres of her field using drones.

Devi told the PM that what used to take several hours earlier now took just 30 minutes.

He said that there was no sector in the country today where women's power was lagging.

PM Modi praised the spirit of women's power and remarked that the success of India's women in various fields was very inspiring.

He also mentioned the Musahar community of Bihar and said that this community had been extremely marginalised in the state.

The PM talked about one Bhim Singh Bhavesh from Bihar and said that there has been a lot of discussion among the Musahar community in his area about his actions.

“Bhim Singh has focused on the education of children in this community so that the future of these children can be brightened. He has enrolled 8,000 children from the Musahar community in schools,” he said.

PM Modi said that Singh had established a library, providing better facilities for education to children.

“He is also helping in obtaining essential documents for the people of his community, improving access to essential resources in the village, thus enhancing the health of the people. He has organised more than 100 medical camps to improve the health of the people,” he said.

The PM said that when the COVID crisis was at its peak, Singh motivated the people of his area to get vaccinated.

He said that there were many people like Bhim Singh who were engaged in such noble deeds in society.

“If we fulfil our duties as responsible citizens, it will be very helpful in building a strong nation,” PM Modi said.

He also mentioned wildlife conservation and said that in recent years, due to the efforts of the government, the number of tigers in the country has increased.

The PM said that the Chandrapur Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra, where the number of tigers had increased to more than 250, was using Artificial Intelligence to reduce conflicts between humans and tigers.

“Similarly, a company in Bengaluru has developed apps called 'Bagheera' and 'Garuda'. Through the Bagheera app, the speed of vehicles and other activities can be monitored during jungle safaris. This app is being used in many tiger reserves across the country. Moreover, connecting the Garuda app, based on artificial intelligence, with any CCTV results in real-time alerts,” he said.

PM Modi said that for thousands of years, humans and wildlife had lived with a sense of coexistence with nature and wildlife.

He mentioned the Melghat Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra, where tribal families have converted their homes into homestays.

The PM said that goat farming is becoming a means to improve the livelihoods and living standards of the people in Kalahandi, Odisha.

He mentioned the decision of Jayanti Mahapatra and her husband Biren Sahu, who were management professionals in Bengaluru, to come to the villages of Kalahandi.

“With a sense of service and dedication, they started working with farmers here. They have also opened a goat bank here,” the PM said.

He said that here, farmers were given two goats for 24 months.

“During this time, goats give birth to 9 to 10 kids. Of these, six goats are kept by the bank, and the rest are given to the same family engaged in goat farming. Today, more than 1,000 farmers from 50 villages are connected to this scheme,” PM Modi said.

He said that the radio programme would not be broadcast for the next three months.

During the programme, the PM also interacted with the first-time voters in the country and said that India takes pride in its youth power, filled with enthusiasm and energy.

Addressing the youth, he said that the more they participate in the electoral process, the more beneficial it will be for the country.

PM Modi urged first-time voters to cast their votes in record numbers and said that the 18th Lok Sabha will be a symbol of youth aspirations.

He said that amidst the hustle and bustle of general elections, the youth should not only be a part of political activities but also remain vigilant and engaged in discussions and debates.

“Remember, my first vote is for the country,” the PM said.

He said that the Election Commission had launched a campaign, 'My First Vote-For the Country’ and appealed to the first-time voters to come out in record numbers to vote through this special campaign.

PM Modi said that after turning 18, youth have the opportunity to elect Members of Parliament for the 18th Lok Sabha.

“That is, this 18th Lok Sabha will be a symbol of youth aspirations, and therefore, the importance of your vote has increased even more,” he said.

The PM said that Mann Ki Baat reflects the collective strength and achievements of the country.

“In a way, it is a programme prepared for the people, and by the people,” he said. “Mann Ki Baat will not be broadcast for the next three months during the Lok Sabha elections, adhering to political boundaries. Mann Ki Baat is stopping, but the achievements of the country are not stopping.”