Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, during his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address, announced that a major nationwide platform ‘Mera Yuva Bharat’, a new autonomous body for youth and youth-led development, will be launched on the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, on October 31.
The platform will provide an opportunity for the youth of India to play an active role in various nation-building events.
Addressing the 106th edition of the address, PM Modi said that a website will also be launched, and appealed to young Indians to sign up for various programs through it.
“The foundation of a very big nationwide organization is being laid on October 31 and that too on the birth anniversary of Sardar Saheb. The name of this organization is ‘Mera Yuva Bharat’, i.e. ‘My Bharat’. The organization will offer an opportunity for the youth of India to actively participate in various nation-building events. This is a unique effort to integrate the youth power of India in building a developed India. Mera Yuva Bharat’s website My Bharat is also about to be launched. I would urge the youth to register on MyBharat.gov.in and sign up for various programs,” PM Modi said.
“October 31 is a very special day for all of us. On this day, we celebrate the birth anniversary of Iron Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel,” he added.
The PM also recalled Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s death anniversary on 31 October, and paid his ‘heartfelt tribute’.
The Prime Minister also paid tributes to revered tribal figure Birsa Munda, noting that his birth anniversary on November 15 is observed as ‘Janjaatiya Gaurav Diwas’.
“The entire country will celebrate Tribal Pride Day on November 15. This special day is associated with the birth anniversary of Lord Birsa Munda. Lord Birsa Munda resides in the hearts of all of us. We can learn from his life what true courage is and what it means to stand firm on one’s determination,” the Prime Minister said.
In his remarks, Modi reiterated his strong pitch for being ‘vocal for local’ “Like every time, this time too, during festivals, our priority should be ‘Vocal for Local’,” he said.
“I want to reiterate my request that wherever you go on tourism or pilgrimage buy products made by local artisans,” he said.
“Today India is becoming the world’s biggest manufacturing hub. Many big brands are manufacturing their products here. If we adopt those products, then Make In India gets a fillip and this too is being ‘Vocal For Local’,” he said. Modi urged people to insist on using the UPI digital payment system during the transactions, and said buying local products will spread the brightness of the upcoming Diwali festival for artisans.
Speaking on various issues, he said on Gandhi Jayanti, khadi products witnessed record sales, with a store at Connaught Place here alone chalking up a sale of Rs 1.25 crore in a single day. Whereas the sale of khadi products could barely touch Rs 30,000 crore earlier, it has risen to almost Rs 1.25 lakh crore now, he said.
Speaking about India winning over 200 medals, including 75 gold, at the Olympics World Summer Games in Berlin, he noted that several athletes performed admirably at the event where sportspersons with intellectual disabilities participate.
(With agencies input)