On February 23, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation during the 119th episode of his monthly radio program 'Mann Ki Baat'. The episode started at 11 AM and covered various national issues and recent achievements, creating a connection with citizens.
Modi began his address by evoking the current buzz surrounding the Champions Trophy cricket tournament. He noted, "The Champions Trophy is going on these days... But today, I am not going to talk about cricket with you all; rather, I will talk about the wonderful century India has made in Space." His enthusiasm highlighted India’s recent milestone: the launch of ISRO’s 100th rocket. Modi emphasized this achievement as not merely numerical, but as evidence of the nation’s growing aspirations and accomplishments in space exploration.
Reflecting on India’s space endeavors, he remarked, “With time, the list of our achievements in space flight continues to grow longer. Be it building launch vehicles, the success of Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, and Aditya L-1, or carrying out the unprecedented mission of launching 104 satellites.” This statement underlined India’s advancements, showcasing the hard work of ISRO and its scientists who have navigated numerous challenges to reach these heights.
Besides celebrating scientific triumphs, Modi announced the approaching National Science Day and introduced the initiative entitled ‘One Day as a Scientist.' He encouraged listeners, particularly students and the youth, to immerse themselves in scientific environments, visiting research labs or planetariums to cultivate curiosity and experience the scientific process personally. “I urge students and women to spend ‘one day as a scientist’ by visiting research centres and getting acquainted with scientific pursuits,” Modi shared.
Turning his attention to health, particularly the rising concern over obesity, Modi highlighted alarming statistics noting, "To become a fit and healthy nation, we have to tackle the problem of obesity... One in every eight people is suffering from the problem of obesity." He pointed out the troubling trend, especially among children where obesity cases have quadrupled over the years. To combat this, he recommended small but effective changes, urging families to reduce cooking oil consumption by 10% each month, framing this as both responsible health practice and family duty.
Another point Modi stressed was women’s empowerment, aligning his remarks with the upcoming International Women’s Day. He stated, "Next month, March 8th is International Women’s Day... I am going to hand over my social media accounts to inspiring women for one day." This strategy aims to spotlight influential women across various sectors, allowing them to share their narratives and inspire others positively.
Highlighting sports, he praised the exceptional performance of over 11,000 athletes who participated in the recent National Games held in Uttarakhand, calling this victory not just personal, but transformational for the state and community: “This is the power of sports, which transforms individuals and communities as well as the entire State.” His comments reflected the government’s commitment to fostering sports initiatives through ‘Khelo India’, encouraging youth involvement and excellence.
Lastly, PM Modi recognized the stress students often face during examinations. He shared, “Every year during ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’, we discuss various topics related to exams with our Exam Warriors.” This program is aimed at reducing exam-related anxiety, promoting mental well-being and resilience among students as they navigate their educational paths.
Through the Mann Ki Baat program, PM Modi continues to engage with citizens, addressing pressing issues and celebrating achievements as they shape India’s future. This episode served not only as informative broadcasting but also as empowerment, rallying the nation around advances and initiatives to live healthier, support women, and cherish scientific exploration.