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From inviting suggestions and “new ideas” for his August 15 address from the Red Fort, to wishing Indian sportspersons the best in the forthcoming Rio Olympics, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called upon citizens to “suggest whatever comes to your mind” and celebrate the country’s 70th Independence Day like Diwali.
“I am the first Prime Minister to have been born in free India,” he said in the 22nd edition of his Mann Ki Baat radio broadcast to the nation on Sunday.
“Celebrate freedom like a festival – it should not be an official programme, it should be a programme of the people. Like Diwali, it should be our own festival,” he said, urging upon people to do something meaningful on that day and send pictures to the NarendraModi App.
Run for Rio Modi, who flagged off the “Run of Rio” event in the Capital in the morning, urged people send their good wishes to all sportspersons heading for the mega event, adding that he was willing to become a “postman” to carry all the messages sent on his App.
“When we hoist the tricolour here on the occasion of 70th Independence Day, I am sure that our national flag will also be hoisted in Rio during this period,” he said.
Kalam remembered Remembering former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam on his first death anniversary, Modi stressed the importance of research and innovation without which “technology could become a burden and spread a stench like stagnant water”.
“Let us AIM to innovate,” he said, referring to the Atal Innovation Mission, adding that to create next-gen innovators, “we will have to link them with Atal Tinkering Labs being set up in schools”. He said the ‘real tribute” to Kalam’s memory would be to boost research and innovation to bring in technology that simplifies day-to-day problems of citizens. However, he also cautioned against “misuse” of technology, urging people to be alert against fraudulent e-mails and SMSes.
Caution on drugs Switching over to health issues, Modi urged upon people not to take antibiotics without prescription and also complete the course prescribed so as not to make such drugs ineffective. “The government is committed to checking antibiotic resistance,” he declared.
He also drew attention to the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan, under which pregnant women will be treated free on the 9th of every month in all primary health care centres, and called upon doctors to spare “12 days in a year” for this campaign.
On global warming and climate change, Modi said the recently passed CAMPA Bill would lead to massive afforestation in the country, and complimented Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Gujarat and the Railway Ministry for taking proactive steps.
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