In his last “Mann ki Baat” of the year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the nation is brimming with self-confidence to achieve its goal of ‘Vikshit Bharat’ (developed India) and self-reliance, and the momentum needs to be carried forward in 2024 as well.
The PM also wished citizens on the occasion of New Year, and insisted on maintaining their “self-reliant” spirit in the coming year too.
PM Modi also emphasised the importance of focusing on physical and mental health and highlighted several unique efforts for ‘Fit India’. Several eminent personalities, including Isha Foundation founder Sadhguru, Indian Women’s Cricket Team Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, actor Akshay Kumar a well as chess legend Vishwanathan Anand shared their fitness tips in the broadcast.
Akshay Kumar advised people to change their lifestyle according to the advice given by doctors not by looking at a film star’s body.
“You all know I’m passionate about fitness, but I’m even more passionate about staying fit the natural way. What I like more than fancy gyms is swimming, playing badminton, climbing stairs, exercising with ‘mudgar’, eating good healthy food…
“Change your lifestyle on the advice of doctors and not by looking at some film star’s body. Actors are often not what they appear on screen. Many types of filters and special effects are used and after seeing them, we start using shortcuts to change our body,” the 56-year-old actor said.
“Don’t live a filter life, live a fitter life,” Kumar added.
Highlighting the several achievements accomplished this year, including the Women’s Reservation Bill as well as the twin Oscars win.
PM Modi on Ram Mandir
On the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, PM Modi said that the entire country is enthused about temple and people are expressing feelings in different ways.
“You must have seen that in the last few days new songs and bhajans have been composed on Shri Ram and Ayodhya. Many people are writing new poems as well.
“I have also shared some bhajans and songs on my social media. It seems that the world of art is becoming a participant in this historic moment in its unique style,” he said.
“A thought comes to my mind that should we share all such creations with a common hashtag? I request you to share your creations on social media with #SHRIRAMBHAJAN,” Modi said.
Oscars win: PM Modi in Mann ki Baat
PM Modi also highlighted this year’s Oscars win for the song “Naatu Naatu” from “RRR” and documentary short “The Elephant Whisperers”, asserting that the world saw India’s creativity and understood the country’s connection with the environment through its entertainment industry.
“Friends, when ‘Naatu Naatu’ got the Oscar, the whole country rejoiced with joy. Who was not happy when they heard about the honour given to ‘The Elephant Whisperers’? Through these, the world witnessed India’s creativity and understood our connection with the environment,” Modi said.
Telugu chartbuster “Naatu Naatu”, composed by MM Keeravaani and penned by Chandrabose, won the best original song award, while Netflix’s Tamil documentary “The Elephant Whisperers”, directed by debutante Kartiki Gonsalves and produced by Guneet Monga, also became the maiden Indian production to win the Oscar in the documentary short film category at the 95th Academy Awards.