''Mann ki Baat'': PM Modi bats for ''cricket diplomacy'' with Afghanistan

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, June 24

Addressing the 45th edition of his ‘Mann ki Baat’ programme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lauded “cricket diplomacy” between India and Afganistan, gave credit to states and people for successful implementation of GST and asked people for ideas to celebrate 550th year of Prakash Parv of Guru Nanak Dev next year.

Praising Indian cricket team’s gesture of calling Afghani players while posing for photographs after winning the Test trophy, Modi said it showed the real sportsmanship. “I wish we play together and blossom together,” he said.   

Modi said he remembered Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani’s words on Twitter tagging him along in which he said: “The people of Afghanistan are extremely proud of our hero Rashid Khan. I’m also thankful to our Indian friends who created platform for our players to showcase their skills”.

Noting that Guru Nanak Dev showed the righteous path of life to millions and inspiring them for centuries, the Prime Minister said Guru Nanak Dev’s teachings and his endeavour to eradicate caste discrimination are still relevant for all to imbibe and immolate.

“The 550th Prakash Parv of Guru Nanak Dev Ji will be celebrated in 2019. I urge you to suggest new ideas on which we can make preparations and can also celebrate Prakash Parv as Prerna Parv with great pride,” he said.

Mentioning about the horrific incident of Jallianwala Bagh on April 13, 1919, the Prime Minister said, next year would be the 100th year of the event that “embarrassed the entire humanity” and for this also “the countrymen should think and come up with the ideas to mark the day”. He went on to add that violence and torture “can’t solve any problem”.

On GST, the prime minister said: “If I’ve to give credit to anyone for successful implementation of ‘One Nation One Tax reform’, then I credit the states. In the GST scheme, information technology has replaced the inspector. Everything from return to refund is done through online information technology. The successful implementation of such a huge tax reform in India was successful only because the people of the country adopted it and through the power of the masses, fuelled the success of the GST scheme”.

Mentioning about the 4th Yoga Day celebrations on June 21, Modi claimed that it presented the rarest of the sights and said the whole world appeared as one entity. “Yoga breaks all barriers of borders and unites people,” he said, adding that it was a matter of great pride for a 125 crore people to witness members of our armed forces perform yoga on land, sea and sky.

“Heart-warming was an instance in Ahmedabad, where around 750 divyang brothers and sisters assembled at one place to do yoga and thus created a world record. I hope the campaign of wellness through yoga will gain further momentum. More and more people will come forward to make it a part of their lives,” he said.

Praising Jan Sangh founder Shyama Prasad Mokerjee, Modi said he was the first industry minister of the country and wanted to make India self-sufficient in Defence production and at the same time nourishing small-scale and cottage industry. He said: “For Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, the most important thing was the integrity and unity of India - and for this, at the young age of 52, he sacrificed his life”.

Announcing that he would be visiting Maghar on June 28, a place in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, where Sant Kabir Das attained Samadhi, Modi lauded the efforts made by the great poet, who laid great emphasis on social cohesion. “Kabir Das ji appealed to the people to rise above divisions of religion and caste and make knowledge and wisdom the sole basis of recognition,” he added.