Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his Mann ki Baat address on Sunday (September 24), hailed the proposed India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and said that it has the potential to serve as the foundation for global trade for many centuries to come. The prime minister highlighted the significance of the corridor’s initiation on Indian soil, suggesting that it will be a landmark in history.
In his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi reminisced about the historic “Silk route,” which India once used as a thriving trade corridor during its prosperous trading era. He also highlighted that India proposed the idea of the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor during the recent G20 Summit.
Additionally, the prime minister expressed the joy felt across the nation following the successful G20 Summit and the Chandrayaan-3 mission. He emphasised that these two achievements have been prominently featured in the messages he received from the people, contributing to a sense of pride and happiness.
‘India’s G20 leadership recognised globally’
PM Modi also pointed out that India’s leadership was recognised globally when it successfully brought the African Union into the G20 fold. He mentioned that the venue for the G20 Summit, Bharat Mandapam, has become quite popular, with people taking selfies in the state-of-the-art conference hall.
‘India’s global goodwill increases’
Ahead of World Tourism Day on September 27, PM Narendra Modi stressed the importance of tourism as an employment generator with relatively low investment requirements. During his monthly address, he emphasised that goodwill plays a significant role in attracting tourists. India’s global goodwill has increased in recent years, especially through events like the G20 meetings, where over one lakh foreign delegates experienced India’s rich diversity and heritage.
Furthermore, Modi took pride in the recent recognition of Santiniketan, associated with Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, and the Hoysala temples of Karnataka as world heritage sites. India currently boasts 42 such sites, a testament to the nation’s ongoing endeavors to secure additional locations steeped in its rich cultural and historical heritage as official World Heritage Sites.
With Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary falling on October 2, he said no one can forget the sight of world leaders paying homage at his memorial during the G20 Summit, a recognition as to how his ideas remain relevant globally.
PM urges people to opt for ‘Made in India’ products
Modi expressed happiness about various cleanliness programs planned to commemorate Gandhi’s birth anniversary, including the Union government’s ‘Swachhta hi sewa’ program. He urged people to participate in the cleanliness drive in their neighborhoods or public places as a true tribute to Gandhi, and encouraged the purchase of khadi products.
With the festival season approaching, he called on people to remember “vocal for local” and support “Made in India” products, promoting self-reliance and economic growth.