New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday said that his trip to Kedarnath, before the last phase of the Lok Sabha elections, had no political motives and was one in which he attempted to find his “inner self”.
In his first Mann Ki Baat following the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) thumping victory in the election, Modi said, “In between elections I went to Kedarnath… People tried to make it a political issue but my journey there gave me an opportunity to meet my inner self. It was also an opportunity to fill the vacuum caused due to the long gap of Mann Ki Baat.”
The Prime Minister also dedicated a large part of his radio address to talking on the current water crisis in the country. Modi called for a Swacch Bharat-like campaign for water conservation in the country.
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The PM also spoke on the party’s victory in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, saying he was confident of his win as he had faith in the people. “In my last address during the Mann ki Baat, I had said we will meet after a few months and many said Modi is so confident,” he said. “But I wasn’t confident it was your confidence, the people’s confidence in me.”
PM’s prescription for water conservation
Addressing the current water crisis in the country, the Prime Minister made three requests to the nation: to create awareness on water shortage, share traditional knowledge of conserving water and share information about individuals, NGOs, organisations working in the field.
He urged people from all walks of life including Bollywood, sportspersons, media, and others to create awareness and share innovative ideas to conserve water.
He also pointed out that a new Jal Shakti ministry has been established by the government to ensure issues related to water are resolved quickly and urged people to share ideas and inspiration regarding water conservation using the hashtag #janShakti4JalShakti.
“All of you should pledge to save every drop of water and spread awareness on water preservation,” he said in his address. “Suggest paramparik (traditional) means for water preservation and share details of NGOs, individuals or organisations working on water preservation.”
Notes on Premchand
Urging people to read and share their experiences on the Modi App, the Prime Minister recalled reading sort stories by Hindi writer Munshi Premchand. “Sometime back, someone presented me a collection of short stories of the great Premchand. The simple language, human emotions stand out in his words,” he said.
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Emergency
Pointing out that today people take democracy for granted but one must know how significant it is, he said: “When Emergency was imposed, resistance against it was not only by politicians; the movement was not limited to the jails. There was anger in the conscience of everyone. During the Emergency, people realised that ‘something’ was snatched.”
The prime minister finding his ” inner self ” in a cave, it’s interesting more so of a politician
Good that Water is moving to the top of the national agenda. The BMC decided recently to tap into the city’s emergency reserve, keep supplying Bombay till the end of July. Fortunately, the rains are here, the lakes will fill up. The entire system designed by the British, water flows into Bombay from sources as far away as in Nasik district, with the force of gravity, no pumping required.