All must participate to build new India: PM

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 26

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today called upon all Indians to take “digital transaction to the next level” and participate in the movement of building “New India”.

Modi was addressing the 30th edition of his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio programme, also his first after the BJP’s recent landslide victory in the politically crucial UP poll.

The PM, however, began his address by greeting the people of Bangladesh on their Independence Day. “They won a historic war against injustice. India will always stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Bangladesh. Together, we shall keep working towards peace and security in our region,” he said.

Though he did not directly mention about his party’s historic victory in UP and Uttarakhand, the PM brought up the concept of “New India”. “New India manifests the strength and skills of 125 crore Indians, who will create a ‘bhavya’ and ‘divya’ Bharat. The desires of 125 crore Indians to transform the country and become the foundation of “New India” will be fulfilled,” he said.

Urging people to join in big way to make India a “cashless society” by adopting various modes of digital transaction, Modi said, “My dear countrymen, we must take our fight against black money and corruption to the next level… We should contribute towards ensuring reduced use of cash in currency notes.” 

“We are marking 100 years of Champaran Satyagraha. And this was one of the earliest Gandhian mass movements in India. He returned to India and in two years he went to Bihar and what he did inspired the whole nation,” he said. Talking about Swachh Bharat and food wastage, Modi said, “People of India are getting angry as far as dirt is concerned and this is a welcome sign. It is encouraging to see we are making cleanliness an integral part of our lives and ensuring a clean India. Wastage of food is unfortunate. I know of several youngsters who are using technology and helping prevent it.”

The PM also spoke about mental health and depression and the increase in maternity leave for working women from 12 to 26 weeks. 

Mentions Bhagat Singh, Jallianwala 

Noting that 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar impacted Bhagat Singh deeply, the PM said the event changed the course of his life. “On March 23, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru attained martyrdom. The then British government was so scared of these patriotic souls that their executions were advanced by a day and that too were done secretly. “They lived and died for our nation. It would be impossible to express in words the story of their supreme sacrifice.”