Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his last Mann Ki Baat of 2022, listed India’s achievements during the year which include the country becoming the fifth largest economy in the world and completing a record 220 crore vaccinations to keep the Covid-19 pandemic at bay.
“The year 2022 was wonderful, India completed 75 years of Independence while ‘Amrit Kaal’ began. India progressed rapidly and became the world’s fifth-largest economy, crossed the USD 400 billion mark in exports and achieved the unbelievable record of 220 crore vaccines,” PM Modi said in the 96th edition of Mann Ki Baat.
He also talked about the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative of the government and lauded the launch of INS Vikrant. The commissioning of India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier is a momentous occasion during the ‘Amritkaal’ of India’s 75 years of independence and signifies the country’s confidence and prowess.
This indigenous aircraft carrier is proof of the country’s technological acumen and engineering skills. This demonstration of India’s self-sufficiency to produce an aircraft carrier warship will reinforce the country’s defence indigenisation programmes and the ‘Make in India’ campaign.
During 2022, India’s glory in Space, Drone and Defence Sector, India’s might in every field, even in sports, be it the Commonwealth Games, or the victory of our women’s hockey team, our youth have shown tremendous potential, he pointed out.
“All these successes have created a special place for India in the world,” PM Modi remarked.
He also emphasised the country’s responsibility for chairing the G20 summit this year. “Friends, this year India has also got the responsibility of chairing the G-20 group. I had also discussed this in detail last time. In the year 2023, we have to take the enthusiasm of G-20 to new heights; make this event a mass movement,” the Prime Minister said.
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, PM Modi said, “My dear countrymen, today the festival of Christmas is also being celebrated with great fervour all over the world. It is a day to remember the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.” I wish you all a Merry Christmas.
PM Modi also paid rich tributes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his birthday today.
“He was a great statesman who gave exceptional leadership to the country. He has a special place in the heart of every Indian… Be it infrastructure, education or foreign policy, he strove to take India to new heights in every field. I once again solemnly bow to Atal ji from the core of my heart,” the Prime Minister said.
Pm Modi also mentioned the 26th of December as ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ and he would be participating in a programme dedicated to the martyrdom of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh ji in Delhi on this occasion. The country will always remember the sacrifice of Sahibzade and Mata Gujri, he added.
Yoga & Ayurveda
PM Modi also highlighted the pride of place that India’s traditional systems of Yoga and Ayurveda had come to occupy in the world of modern science.
“When it comes to modern Medical Science, the most important thing is – Evidence. Lack of evidence based research in the context of our scriptures like Yoga and Ayurveda has always been a challenge which has been a part of Indian life for centuries- results are visible, but evidence is not. But, I am happy that in the era of Evidence-based medicine, Yoga and Ayurveda are now standing up to the touchstone of tests of the modern era,” PM Modi said.
He pointed out that intensive research by Tata Memorial Center in Mumbai has revealed that yoga is very effective for breast cancer patients. Regular practice of yoga has reduced the risk of recurrence and death of breast cancer patients by 15 percent. This is the first example of Indian traditional medicine being tested vis a vis the stringent standards of Western methods, he added
My dear countrymen, in the last few years we have overcome many major challenges related to the health sector. Full credit for this goes to the willpower of our Medical Experts, Scientists and countrymen. We have eradicated diseases like Smallpox, Polio and ‘Guinea Worm’ from India.
Ganga
The Prime Minister also emphasised “the big responsibility on all of us to keep clean Mother Ganges that has been flowing for centuries.”
“With this objective, eight years ago, we started the ‘Namami Gange Campaign’. It is a matter of pride for all of us that, today, this initiative of India is getting appreciation from all over the world. The United Nations has included the ‘Namami Gange’ mission in the world’s top ten initiatives to restore the ecosystem. It is even more heartening that ‘Namami Gange’ has received this honour among 160 such initiatives from all over the world,” PM Modi said.
