In the 103rd episode of Mann Ki Baat, the Prime Minister said that on August 15, 2020, the Centre had launched “Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan”, which had so far reached more than 11 crore people
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said India had created a unique record of destroying 10 lakh kg of drugs worth ₹12,000 crore in the past one year. Just about two weeks ago, 1.5 lakh kg of seized drugs were destroyed.
In the 103rd episode of Mann Ki Baat, the Prime Minister said that on August 15, 2020, the Centre had launched “Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan”, which had so far reached more than 11 crore people. “Drug addiction becomes a big problem not only for the family, but for the whole society. In such a situation, for this danger to end forever, it is necessary that we all move forward in this direction in unison,” he said.
The Prime Minister said about 25 years ago, Madhya Pradesh’s Bichharpur village in Shahdol was infamous for illicit liquor. Despite limited resources, Raees Ahmed, a former national player and coach, started teaching football to the local youth. Within a few years, football became popular in the village, now known as “Mini Brazil”. A programme called “Football Kranti” is also being implemented there.
Football revolution
“...more than 40 national and State-level players have emerged from Bicharpur. This football revolution is now slowly spreading in the entire region. Over 1,200 football clubs have been formed in Shahdol and surrounding areas.., a tribal area which was known for illicit liquor...has now become the football nursery of the country,” Mr. Modi said, adding that he met several football players during his recent visit to Shahdol.
Mr. Modi said ahead of this Independence Day, the government was launching “Meri Mati Mera Desh” campaign to honour the bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice for the country. Under this, 7,500 urns carrying soil from different parts of India, besides saplings, would be brought to Delhi and used for developing “Amrit Vatika” near the National War Memorial.
The Prime Minister said that last Independence Day, the whole country had come together for the “Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyan”. “...similarly, this time too, we have to hoist the Tricolour at every house, and continue this tradition,” he said.
Taking note of the natural calamities that hit different parts of the country during the monsoon, Mr. Modi appreciated the locals, National Disaster Response Force men and the administration for making valiant efforts. He said the season was equally important for tree plantation and water conservation. Over 60,000 “Amrit Sarovars” had already been built under the “Azaadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” programme and work on developing more than 50,000 water bodies was going on.
Planting of saplings
During the Shahdol visit, the Prime Minister said he had discussed these issues with Pakaria villagers, who had now converted about 100 wells into water recharge systems, and set a target of about 800 wells. In Uttar Pradesh, a record of planting 30 crore saplings in a single day had been made as part of a public participation campaign started by the State government.
Describing the importance of the holy month of “Saawan” from the spiritual and cultural point of view, Mr. Modi said a large number of devotees undertake the “Kanwar Yatra” and also visit 12 Jyotirlingas. “...now, more than 10 crore tourists are reaching Kashi every year. The number of devotees visiting pilgrimages like Ayodhya, Mathura and Ujjain is also increasing rapidly. Due to this, lakhs of poor are getting employment,” he said.
Stating that over 4,000 Muslim women this time performed “Haj” without any male companion or “mehram”, Mr. Modi said he received letters from many of them. “...this is a huge transformation. Earlier, Muslim women were not allowed to perform ‘Haj’ without ‘mehram’...I also express my heartfelt gratitude to the government of Saudi Arabia,” he said. The Prime Minister said in the last few years, the changes made in the Centre’s “Haj” policy were being appreciated. “Our Muslim mothers and sisters have written a lot to me about this. Now, more and more people are getting the chance to go for ‘Haj’. The blessing given by the people who have returned from Haj pilgrimage, especially our mothers and sisters, through their letters, is very inspiring in itself,” said Mr. Modi.
The Prime Minister also mentioned about his recent meeting with yoga practitioner Charlotte Chopin in France, who is over 100 years old. “She gives credit for her health and this age of 100 years only to yoga. She has become a prominent face of India’s science of yoga and its strength, in the world,” he said.
Talking about the contributions made by artists, Mr. Modi said Suresh Raghavan from Vadavalli (Tamil Nadu) had been documenting information on plants and animals through his paintings. The Prime Minister also thanked the American government for returning over 100 rare and ancient artefacts.
