Mann Ki Baat Highlights: Cordless device in Grylls’ ear helped him understand my Hindi, PM reveals

PM Modi concluded today's episode and by asking people to pitch in their suggestions. He said: "Come, let us all march together to make the India which was dreamt of by our freedom fighters and realise Gandhi's dreams- 'Swantah: Sukhayah'.

Remembering Swami Vivekanand's speech delivered on September 11, 1893, PM Modi said, "Come, let us look anew at India which Swami Vivekananda had seen and let us put in practice the inherent strength of India realized by Swami Vivekananda. We possess everything within us, let us proceed with confidence." He also reminded listeners that August 29 is celebrated as 'National Sports Day' and urged people to partake in the 'Fit India Movement'.

"My dear countrymen, the concern and care for the environment in India seems natural. The Tiger Summit took place in 2010 at St. Petersburg, Russia. At this summit, a resolution was taken expressing concern about the dwindling tiger population in the world. Whenever we talk about nature and wildlife, we only talk about conservation. But, we now have to move beyond conservation and think about compassion," PM Modi in his Mann ki Baat address.

Quashing people's doubts on how the PM and Bear Grylls understood each other while speaking in respective languages and maintained a fast conversation. "Whenever I spoke immediately, there was simultaneous translation into English or simultaneous interpretation and Bear Grylls had a small cordless instrument in his ear. So I used to speak in Hindi but he heard it in English and because of that communication became very easy and this is an amazing aspect about technology."

This month's radio show with a lot of focus on environmental challenges, PM Modi touched upon his 'Man vs. Wild' episode and said: "Whoever I meet or wherever there is a chance to talk, the focus is on Wildlife, discussions about the environment, the Tiger, the Asiatic Lion, evolution etc. and I am amazed how interested people are in nature. It is my firm belief that people want to know the steps taken in the direction of climate justice and clean environment in India"

Commenting on his 'Man vs Wild' episode with Bear Grylls, he said that people expressed desire to know more and said that he had established a connect with the youth around the world with just one episode. "I had never thought I would find a certain place in young hearts in this country and the world pays attention to diverse things," he said, adding that Discovery channel is planning to broadcast the programme in 165 countries in their respective languages.

"In many states, people run meal campaigns on certain dates. There are many little things that can be employed in our country’s effective fight against malnutrition. Today, due to lack of awareness, both poor and affluent families are affected by malnutrition," Modi added while speaking on malnutrition in the country. 

Talking about an initiative taken up by Anganwadi workers in Maharashtra's Nashik district to curb malnutrition, he said: "'Mutthi Bhar Dhaanya’ initiative has turned into a big movement in Nashik. During harvest period, Anganwadi workers collect handful of rice grain from people. This grain is used to make piping hot food for children & women."

PM Modi urged people to not only ensure cleanliness and make India ODF-free but also encourage them to ban the use of single-use plastic. "When we celebrate Bapu’s 150th birth anniversary, we shall not only dedicate to him an India that is Open Defecation Free, but also shall lay the foundation of a new revolution against plastic, by people themselves, throughout the country," he said.

Speaking of the Centre's scheme, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, PM Modi said: "We organize cleanliness drives before Gandhi Jayanti every year to commemorate the leader's birthday and this time around it will commence on the 11th of September. During this period, all of us will move out of home, donating our effort and sweat through 'shramdaan' as a 'Karyanjali' to Mahatma Gandhi."

The India Pavillion at Venice Biennale art show unveiled an exhibition on Gandhiji. Sharing this information with listeners, Modi said, "Of special interest were Haripura Panels. "Before the Haripura (Congress) Session, in 1937-38, Mahatma Gandhi had invited the then Principal of Shantiniketan Kala Bhavan, Nandlal Bose."

While speaking about Gandhi Jayanti, he also greeted listeners on the festival of Janmashtami which was celebrated on Saturday. He spoke about the friendship that Lord Krishna and Sudama shared. Talking about the upcoming 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Prime Minister said, "I have been extremely fortunate to have been blessed with the opportunity to visit a number of significant places associated with revered Mahatma Gandhi and pay my homage."

Ahead of Mahatma Gandhi's 150 birth anniversary, PM Modi spoke about community mobilization and "value addition to the society". Sharing his experience regarding his visit to Dandi where he inaugurated a museum, he encouraged people to visit more places where Mahatma Gandhi had lived and visited and share these pictures on social media. 

#MannKiBaat begins shortly. Do join. pic.twitter.com/NcD020RiMM

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 25, 2019