Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed grief and pain over the devastation caused by landslides and floods due to continuous rains and said that natural disasters are taking the examination of the country.
In the 125th episode of the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ program, he also highlighted two major achievements of Jammu and Kashmir amidst the destructive natural disaster-the first day-night cricket match in Pulwama and ‘Khelo India Jal Khel Sports Festival’ at Dal Lake in Srinagar.
He said, “In this monsoon season, natural disasters are taking the country exams. In the last few weeks, we have seen huge devastation due to floods and landslides. The houses were destroyed, the fields were submerged, and the whole families were ruined.”
Modi said in radio broadcasting, “The ever -increasing wave of water shed bridges; roads were washed away and people’s lives were in danger. These incidents have made every Indian unhappy.”
The Prime Minister appreciated the efforts of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and security forces during the rescue operation between chaos.
PM Modi Ah, “Wherever there was a crisis, our NDRF-SDRF personnel and other security forces worked day and night to save the people. The soldiers also took help of technology. With the help of thermal camera, live detector, sniffer dog and drone surveillance, efforts were made to speed up relief work.”
He said, “During this time, relief materials were delivered by helicopters and the injured were airlifted. Armed forces came forward during the disaster. Local people, social workers, doctors, administration all made every effort in this hour of crisis. I heartily thank every citizen who preferred humanity in this difficult time.”
Modi said that Jammu and Kashmir has also achieved two special achievements amidst the devastation caused by floods and rains.
He said, “They did not pay much attention to them. But you will be happy to know about these achievements. A record number of people gathered in a stadium in Pulwama. Pulwama’s first day-night cricket match was played here. It was impossible earlier, but now my country is changing.”
He said, “The second event that attracted attention was the country’s first ‘Khelo India Water Sports Festival’ and that too was held in Dal Lake in Srinagar. Truly, it is a special place for organizing such a celebration.”
Modi said that more than 800 athletes from all over India participated in it. The Prime Minister said, “Women athletes did not lag behind; her participation was almost equal to men. I want to congratulate all the participants.”
Prime Minister Modi called upon people to be proud of “Swadeshi” (manufactured in India) products as the festive season would be at its peak in the coming weeks, emphasizing the mantra of “vocal for local” and will lead the path of “self -sufficient India” to develop India.
He said that whatever is necessary in life should be ‘Swadeshi’.
PM Modi reiterated his point at a time when he emphasized the need to become self -sufficient in the country amid the decline in relations with the US after President Donald Trump imposed 50 percent tariff on Indian goods.
On the occasion of the arrival of Ganesh Utsav, Durga Puja and Diwali in different parts of the country, he said that people should never forget indigenous products during festivals, whether to buy gifts, clothes, decoration items or anything else.
In the broadcast, Modi also narrated an audio of India’s first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel regarding the campaign to free Hyderabad from the Nizam rule.
The Prime Minister said, “Next month, in September, we will celebrate Hyderabad Liberation Day. This is the same month when we will remember the courage of all the heroes who participated in Operation Polo.”
He said that the Nizam’s army and private militants also killed people after India’s independence hoisting the tricolor or raising the slogan of “Vande Mataram”, due to which Patel had to start this campaign.