PM Modi,
in his first Mann Ki Baat address of 2023, hailed tribal communities across India, saying that a sizeable number of Padma Awardees this year came from them
This time, a sizeable number of Padma awardees come from tribal communities and people associated with the tribal society. Tribal life is different from the hustle bustle of the city life and it also has its own challenges. Despite all of this, tribal societies are always eager to preserve their traditions,’ he said.
Several people working on tribal languages such as Toto, Ho, Koi, Kuvi and Manda have been awarded with the Padma awards the PM informed. ‘It is a matter for pride for all of us. People working with the Siddi, Jarwa and Onge tribes have also been awarded,’ he said.
This year’s Padma awards also have their echo in erstwhile Naxal affected areas, as people who have contributed towards bringing back youth to mainstream have also been conferred with the Padma awards, the PM said.
He also appreciated awardees associated with playing traditional music instruments such as such as Santoor, Bamhum and Duitara.
Hailing a great start to the International Year of Millets, the prime minister said that people are now making millets an important ingredient of their food. He also highlighted that both International Day of Yoga and International Day of Millets were decided by the United Nations after resolutions initiated by India.
‘On one hand, small farmers who used to traditionally grow millets in their fields are now happy that world is understanding the importance of millets, on the other hand FPOs and investors have speeded up efforts to bring millets to the market and make them available for the common people,’ he said.
Currently, G20 summits are being held across India and I ma glad wherever these meetings are being held, nutritious and tasty millets-based food is a part of it. Khichdi, poha, kheer made from bajra as well as payasam, poori and dosa made made form ragi are also being served here,’ the PM further stated.
Mann Ki Baat program is held on the last Sunday of every month, through which the PM interacts people all over the nation. This is the 97th edition of his monthly radio programme.
In the last edition of Mann Ki Baat in December 2022, the PM had addressed a variety of topics — from G-20 presidency to emphasising the need to keep river Ganga clean.
Modi had urged people all over the country to make G20 a mass movement in the year 2023. India officially assumed the G20 presidency from Indonesia on December 1, 2022. The country will host over 200 meetings in over 50 cities across 32 different work streams. The theme of India’s G20 Presidency ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ or ‘One Earth · One Family · One Future’ and the government also plans to give the G20 delegates and guests a glimpse of India’s rich cultural heritage, over the course of this year.
Speaking on the occasion, Modi had also paid tributes to Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 98th birth anniversary, on December 25, and said: ‘He was a great leader who provided exceptional leadership to the country. He has a special place in the heart of every Indian.’