Key Highlights from PM Modi’s First ’Mann Ki Baat’ in 2021

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New Delhi, Jan 31, 2021: In his first radio address Mann ki Baat of 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today referred to the events at the Red Fort during the farmers’ tractor rally on Republic Day. "India was saddened by insult to tricolour on Republic Day," PM Modi said.

The iconic Mughal-era fort witnessed violence on Republic Day, when groups of farmers protesting against the farm laws over-ran the fort and hoisted a Sikh religious flag on an empty mast just below the national flag on the ramparts. The police had used batons to push them out.

The fort, parts of which had suffered damages, has been shut till January 31 by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Responding to opposition demands for a special probe into the incidents at the Red Fort, the Prime Minister had earlier said that the "law will take its own course".

On Thursday, the police had issued notices to farmer leaders over the Republic Day violence, giving them three days to respond.

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha, under whose banner around 40 farmer unions gathered, has said it will not be intimidated by the notices.

The protest on Republic Day was meant to mark the completion of two months of farmers’ protest at the borders of Delhi over the Centre’s three farm laws passed in September. But matters escalated after a group of farmers violated the designated time and route of the protest.

The Prime Minister has said the government’s proposal of keeping the laws on hold for 18 months still stands. The farmers, however, have rejected the offer and are holding out for a repeal of all three laws.

The country has vaccinated over 30 lakh corona warriors in 15 days, he said, adding the US and the UK took 18 and 36 days to reach this figure. "Just as India’s fight against Corona became an example, our vaccination programme too is turning out to be exemplary to the world," he said. Noting India’s decision to send vaccines to several countries and the praise it has received from their governments and citizens, he said during the moment of crisis India is able to serve the world since it is capable and self-reliant in the field of medicines and vaccines.

"The same thought underpins the Atmanirbhar Bharat Campaign. The more India is capable, the more will it serve humanity; and the world will benefit more," Modi said. Speaking of the recent announcement of Padma award winners, he said the tradition of conferring the honour on unsung heroes that was started a few years ago has been maintained this time too. "I urge all of you to know more about these people and their contribution," he said.

Noting that the country is approaching its 75th year of Independence, Modi urged people, especially youngsters, to write about freedom fighters and incidents associated with their struggle.

The freedom struggle was fought with full might in every part, every city, every town and village of India, he said, and highlighted the comments of a resident from Munger in Bihar about the ’Tarapur Martyr Day’.

On February 15, 1932, Britishers had mercilessly killed several of a group of brave young patriots, and the incident has not received as much publicity as it should have, he said.

"Write books about the saga of valour during the period of freedom struggle in your area. Now, as India will celebrate 75 years of her freedom, your writings will be the best tribute to those heroes of our freedom. An initiative has been taken for young writers for the purpose of India Seventy-Five. This will encourage young writers of all states and of all languages," Modi said.

With the country observing Road Safety month between January 18 and February 17, the prime minister said road accidents are a matter of concern not just in our country but also the world over.

Modi often highlights the presence of different aspects of Indian tradition and culture in different parts of the world during his monthly radio address and this time spoke of yoga’s popularity in the South African country of Chile.

You will be pleased to know that there are more than 30 yoga schools in Santiago, the capital of Chile, he said, and noted that the name of the Vice President of the Chilean Senate is Rabindranath Quinteros, inspired by India’s nobel laureate poet-philosopher Rabindranath Tagore. The prime minister also highlighted remarkable efforts of individuals and groups of people in different parts of the country in various fields.