PM Modi’s radio speech replete with references to Tamil Nadu

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday made copious references to Tamil Nadu in the final episode of this year of his monthly radio programme “Mann Ki Baat” and referred to the Tiruvalluvar Day that follows Pongal festivities. He spoke of the Rock Memorial in Kanniyakumari and to some Kashmiri women working in a garment manufacturing factory in Tirupur. 

“My dear countrymen, many of you must be aware of the rock in Kanniyakumari where Swami Vivekananda ji had entered into the meditative state, the spiritual ‘Antardhyan’. That very Rock Memorial is completing 50 years of existence. 

“For the last five decades, it has earned a place of pride for India. Kanniyakumari exudes a special attraction, nationally as well as for the world. For anyone seeking to experience spiritual consciousness filled with national pride, this has become a centre of pilgrimage, a temple of faith. Swamiji’s memorial has inspiringly instilled a sense of national pride amongst people, irrespective of their sect, age or class. It has shown the way to realise & follow the mantra, ‘In service of the poorest of the poor.’ Whoever visits the place, naturally experiences a surge of inner energy, a sense of positivity; the resolve to contribute something to the country,” Modi said.

Recently, he said, in connection with the 50 years, President Ram Nath Kovind visited the Rock Memorial. 

“And it’s a matter of joy that our Vice President too visited the Desert Festival held in Rann of Kutch, Gujarat for the inauguration. When our Hon’ble President and Vice President are visiting such important tourist destinations in India, it is bound to inspire our countrymen. I urge you too to travel and visit these places,” he said.

The Prime Minister then referred to a self-help initiative that has caught his attention— ‘Himayat Programme’ of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh —which is actually associated with skill development and employment. In this programme, teenagers and youth from 15 to 35 years of age, those residents of Jammu and Kashmir whose studies, for some reason, could not be completed, who had to leave school and college midstream are associated.

He said it would be glad to note that under the aegis of this programme, during the last two years, 18,000 youths have been trained in 77 different trades.  “Out of these, around 5,000 people are working somewhere or the other, and many have moved towards self-employment. The success stories of lives which have changed under the aegis of the ‘Himayat Programme,’ truly touch the heart!”

Parveen Fatima has become a Supervisor-cum-Coordinator following a promotion in a garment unit in Tirupur, Tamil Nadu. Until a year ago, she was living in a small village in Kargil.  “At present, her life has undergone a major change, she has become confident - she has become self-reliant and has also brought an opportunity for prosperity for her entire family!  Like Parveen Fatima, the ‘Himayat Programme’ has changed the fate of other daughters and residents of Leh-Ladakh region and all of them are working in the same firm in Tamil Nadu today,” he added.

The Prime Minister also referred to the recent partial solar eclipse and said India is quite advanced in the field of astronomy has taken path-breaking initiatives in this field. 

“We have a giant meter-wave telescope near Pune. Not just that, in Kodaikaanal, Udhagamandalam, Guru Shikhar and Hanle Ladakh as well, powerful telescopes are located,” he noted.

“My dear countrymen, the movement of the sun, moon and earth doesn’t just determine eclipses, rather many other things are also associated with them. We all know, that based on the sun’s movements, various festivals will be celebrated throughout India in the middle of January. 

“From Punjab to Tamil Nadu...from Gujarat to Assam...people will celebrate various festivals. Makar Sankraanti and Uttaraayan is celebrated with great fervour in the month of January. They are considered a symbol of energy. During this time, we will see the celebration of Lohri in Punjab, Pongal in Tamil Nadu and Maagh Biihu in Assam. These festivals have a close link with the prosperity of farmers and their crops. These festivals remind us of India’s unity as well as its diversity. The countrymen have the proud privilege to celebrate the last day of Pongal as the birth anniversary of Tiruvalluvar. This day is dedicated to the great writer-philosopher-saint Tiruvalluvar and his life,” he said.