My dear countrymen, Namaskar. Welcome to Mann Ki Baat. Congratulations. Mann Ki Baat is a strong platform to bring forward the achievements of the country and its citizens. The country witnessed such an achievement recently during the Global AI Impact Summit in Delhi. Leaders from many countries, industry leaders, innovators, and people from the startup sector gathered at Bharat Mandapam for the AI Impact Summit. This summit has proven to be a turning point in how the world will use the power of AI in the coming times. Friends, during the summit, I also got the opportunity to meet world leaders and tech CEOs. At the AI Summit exhibition, I showed world leaders many things. I want to mention two things specifically. These two products at the summit impressed leaders from around the world. The first product was at the Amul booth. It showed how AI is helping us treat animals and how farmers keep track of their dairy and animals with the help of a 24/7 AI assistant. Friends, the second product was related to our culture. Leaders from around the world were amazed to see how we are preserving our ancient texts, our ancient knowledge, and our manuscripts with the help of AI, and adapting them for today's generation. Friends, during the exhibition, the Sushruta Samhita was chosen for display. In the first step, it was shown how we are improving the image quality of manuscripts to make them readable with the help of technology. In the second step, this image was converted into machine-readable text. In the next step, an AI avatar read the machine-readable text, and then in the following step, we also showed how this priceless Indian knowledge can be translated into Indian languages and foreign languages. World leaders showed great interest in knowing India's ancient knowledge through modern avatars. Friends, in this summit, the world got to see India's amazing capabilities in the field of AI. During this, India also launched three Made in India AI models. This has been the biggest AI summit so far. The enthusiasm and excitement of the youth regarding this summit was visible. I congratulate all the countrymen on the success of this summit. Friends, I often say, whoever plays, let them play. Sports also connect us. Nowadays, you must be watching the T20 World Cup matches, and I am sure that while watching the match, your eyes must be fixed on a particular player many times. The jersey might be of another country, but hearing the name, you feel, 'Oh, this is from our country.' Then a slight happiness comes from a corner of the heart because that player is of Indian origin. And he is playing for the country where his family has settled. They wear their countries' jerseys and take the field, representing that country with all their heart. The Canada team has the most players of Indian origin. The team's captain, Dilpreet Bajwa, was born in Gurdaspur, Punjab. Navneet Dhaliwal is from Chandigarh. This list includes many names like Harsh Thakur and Shreyas Movva, who are bringing glory to both Canada and India. The American team has many faces who have come from India's domestic cricket. The American team's captain, Monank Patel, has also played for Gujarat's Under-16 and Under-18 teams. Saurabh and Harmit Singh from Mumbai, Milind Kumar from Delhi, all are the pride of the American team. The Oman team today has many faces who have previously played for different states in India. Players like Jatinder Singh, Vinayak Shukla, Karan, Jay, and Ashish are a strong link in Oman cricket. Players of Indian origin are also making their place in the teams of New Zealand, UAE, and Italy. There are many such players of Indian origin who are bringing glory to their country and becoming an inspiration for the youth there. This is the specialty of Indianness. Wherever Indians go, they remain connected to the roots of their motherland and also contribute to the development of the country where they live, their karma bhumi. My dear countrymen, for any parent, there can be no greater sorrow than losing their child. The sorrow of losing a small child is even deeper. A few days ago, we lost a tiny innocent, Alin Sherin Abraham, from Kerala. In just 10 months, she left this world. Imagine, her entire life was ahead of her, which suddenly ended. So many dreams and happiness remained unfulfilled. The pain his parents must be going through cannot be expressed in words. But even amidst such deep grief, Alin's father, Arun Abraham, and mother, Sherin, made a decision that filled every countryman's heart with respect for them. They decided to donate Alin's organs. This one decision shows how great their thinking is and how vast their personality is. On one hand, they were drowning in the grief of losing their child, while on the other hand, they were filled with the spirit of helping others. They wanted that no family should have to see such a day. Alin Sherin Abraham is not among us today. But her name has been added to the list of the country's youngest organ donors. Friends, these days, awareness regarding organ donation is continuously increasing in India. This is helping those who need it. Along with this, medical research in the country is also getting a boost. Many institutions and people are doing extraordinary work in this direction. Friends, like Alin from Kerala, there are many such people who have given a second life to someone through organ donation. For example, there is Lakshmi Devi from Delhi. She went on a pilgrimage to Kedarnath last year. For this, she had to trek 14 kilometers. You will be surprised to know that she did this journey after a heart transplant. Her heart was only working 15%. In such a situation, she got a heart from a donor who had passed away. After this, her life changed completely. Gaurang Banerjee from West Bengal has been to Nathu La twice. This is at an altitude of 14,000 feet above sea level. And the special thing is that he achieved this feat after a lung transplant. Ramdev Singh ji from Sikar in Rajasthan had to undergo a kidney transplant. Today, he is doing wonders in sporting activities. Friends, you will find many such inspiring examples. This proves once again that one person's noble initiative can change the lives of countless people. I wholeheartedly appreciate all those who have done such noble deeds. My dear countrymen, during the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, I spoke about the Panch Pran from the Red Fort. One of them is freedom from the mentality of slavery. Today, the country is leaving behind symbols of slavery and giving importance to things connected with India's culture. In this direction, our Rashtrapati Bhavan has also taken an important step. Tomorrow, that is, on February 23, Rajaji Utsav will be celebrated at Rashtrapati Bhavan. On this occasion, a statue of Shri Rajagopalachari ji will be unveiled in the central courtyard of Rashtrapati Bhavan. He was the first Indian Governor-General of independent India. He was among those who saw power not as a position but as a service. His conduct in public life, his self-discipline, and independent thinking still inspire us today. Unfortunately, even after independence, statues of British administrators were allowed to remain in Rashtrapati Bhavan, but the country's great sons were not given a place. The statue of British architect Edwin Lutyens was also installed in Rashtrapati Bhavan. Now, Rajaji's statue will be installed in place of this statue. During the Rajaji Utsav, an exhibition based on Rajagopalachari ji will also be held. This exhibition will run from February 24 to March 1. If you get a chance, you must go and see it. My dear countrymen, in Mann Ki Baat, I have talked to you in detail about digital arrest. After this, there has been a lot of awareness in our society regarding digital arrest and digital fraud. But even now, such incidents are happening around us which are unpardonable. Innocent people are being targeted by digital arrest and financial fraud. Sometimes it is found that a senior citizen's life savings have been swindled. Sometimes the money that was saved to pay children's fees is stolen. We also see news of fraud against businessmen. Someone calls and says, 'I am a high-ranking official. You will have to share some details.' After this, innocent people end up doing just that. Therefore, it is very important for you to remain alert and aware. Friends, you all must know about KYC, Know Your Customer. Sometimes, when you get messages from your bank for KYC update or re-KYC, a question arises in your mind: 'I have already done KYC, so why again?' I request you, do not get annoyed. This is for the safety of your money. We all know that nowadays pension, subsidy, insurance, UPI, everything is linked to the bank account. This is why banks conduct re-KYC from time to time, so that your bank account remains safe. Yes, you have to remember one thing in this too. The criminals make fake calls, send SMS and links. Therefore, we have to remain alert and not fall into the trap of such fraudsters. Get KYC or re-KYC done only through your bank's branch or official app and authorized medium. Do not share OTP, Aadhaar number, or bank account-related information with anyone. And most importantly, keep changing your password from time to time. Just as food and clothing change with every season, make a rule that you have to change your password every few days. Friends, recently, the Reserve Bank of India organized a Financial Literacy Week on these topics. This campaign of financial literacy will now continue throughout the year. So, pay attention to the message of the Reserve Bank of India and keep your KYC updated. Remember, do timely KYC and re-KYC, keep the account safe, be an empowered citizen, because a strong and self-reliant India is built by empowered citizens. My dear countrymen, our farmers are not just food providers. They are true seekers of the earth. Learn from our farmers what it means to turn soil into gold. And our farmers today are moving forward with both tradition and technology. And I am happy to see that our farmers are now focusing not just on production but also on quality, value addition, and new markets. The information about a young farmer named Hirot Patel from Odisha is truly very inspiring. Until about 8 years ago, he used to do paddy farming in the traditional way with his father, Shiv Shankar Patel. But he started looking at farming from a new perspective. He built a strong mesh structure over his farm's pond. He grew vine vegetables on it. He planted bananas, guavas, and coconuts around the pond. And he also started fish farming in the pond. Meaning, in one place, traditional farming is also happening, vegetables, fruits, and fish. This led to better use of land, water conservation, and additional income. Today, farmers from far and wide come to see his model. Friends, in Thrissur district of Kerala, there is a village where 570 varieties of paddy are grown in the same field. This includes local varieties, herbal varieties, and species brought from other states. This is not just farming, but a great campaign to save the legacy of seeds. The effect of our farmers' hard work is also visible in the figures. India has today become the world's largest rice producer. Producing more than 150 million tonnes of rice is no small achievement. We are meeting our needs and also contributing to the world's food basket. Friends, now agricultural products are also reaching abroad more easily by air. Bananas from Nanjangud in Karnataka, Mysore betel leaves, and Indi lemons were sent to the Maldives. These products are known for their taste and quality and have also received GI tags. Today's farmer wants quality, is increasing quantity, and is also building his identity. My dear countrymen, you must surely remember the wonderful pictures of the Mahakumbh from this time last year. The ocean of people surging on the banks of the Sangam, the flow of faith, and in that sacred moment of bathing, it seemed as if India was having a direct encounter with its Sanatan consciousness. Friends, the same stream of Mahakumbh, the same month of Magh, the same tone of devotion, when it moves from North to South, it takes on a new identity. Friends, on the land of Kerala, on the banks of the Bharathapuzha river in Thirunavaya, there has been a centuries-old tradition. Mamankam. Many people also call it Mahamagha Mahotsav or Kerala Kumbh. Bathing in the holy river in the month of Magh and making that moment an indelible memory of life is its soul. With time, this tradition had faded. For about 250 years, this event was not held with the same grandeur as it used to be. But today, in our country, which is rediscovering its heritage, history has taken a turn again. This time, without any big announcement, the Kerala Kumbh was successfully organized. People told each other about it. The word spread from ear to ear, and soon, devotees started arriving in Thirunavaya. Friends, whether it is Mahakumbh or Kerala Kumbh, it is not just a festival of bathing. It is an awakening of memory. It is a recollection of culture. From North to South, rivers may be different, banks may be different, but the stream of faith is the same. This is India. Friends, in our country, such people always remain in the hearts of the public who have worked for the welfare of society. Who have given priority to the public in their noble deeds. Amma Jayalalithaa ji was one such popular leader. February 24 is her birthday. The attachment of the people of Tamil Nadu with her was so deep. I still see this during my visits to the state. As soon as Amma Jayalalithaa ji's name is mentioned, the faces of the people of Tamil Nadu light up. Our Nari Shakti has had a special connection with her. This is also because while in government, she took many commendable steps for mothers, sisters, and daughters. She also took very concrete steps to maintain law and order in the state. She was filled with patriotism. Along with this, she was very proud of India's cultural heritage. Every meeting, every conversation with Amma Jayalalithaa ji is still fresh in my mind. She also attended my two swearing-in ceremonies in Gujarat in 2002 and 2012. When we were both Chief Ministers in our respective states, we often used to discuss topics like good governance. Her thinking was absolutely clear and her thoughts were very well-reasoned. This was one of her great qualities. Many years ago, she had invited me to lunch in Chennai on the auspicious occasion of Pongal. Her affectionate gesture will remain unforgettable for me. Once again, I pay my humble tribute to her. Jai Lalitha, Avargalukku, Nenjangal Thalli, Avarukkum, Seivai, Endrum Nin Vilaiyakum. My dear countrymen, now I will talk to my dear, small, promising children, those children whose exams are going on right now. I hope you watched Pariksha Pe Charcha at the beginning of this month and learned something from it. But I will still ask, you are not taking too much tension about studies, are you? My dear children, you are exam warriors. I am sure you all must be preparing for the exam with all your heart. Yes, it is natural to have a little doubt in your mind at such times. Sometimes you feel, 'Will I remember everything or not?' Sometimes you feel, 'Will there be enough time or not?' Every generation of children has felt these feelings. You are not alone. Remember, your value is not determined by your mark sheet. So, have faith in yourself. Write with all your heart what you have studied. And do not let that one question which you didn't know dominate your mind. And one thing, keep talking to your parents and teachers. They identify you not by your numbers but by your efforts. They are happy with your hard work. I am fully confident that you will be successful in the exam and also achieve new heights of success in your life. Friends, Ramadan is going on these days. I wish everyone for this holy month. The festival of Holi is also coming in a few days. Meaning, a time full of colors, gulal, and laughter and happiness is about to knock. You all celebrate all the festivals with happiness with your family and loved ones. And yes, always remember some mantras. Like Vocal for Local. In our Holi festivals or any other festival, many such items have entered which are foreign. Keep them away from festivals. Keep them away from Holi too. Adopt Swadeshi. When you buy Swadeshi, you also help in the campaign to make the country self-reliant. Friends, I get many suggestions from you every month for Mann Ki Baat. From the messages you send, we get to know about the amazing talents hidden in every corner of the country. Many inspiring stories of doing something for society, rising above personal interest, have reached people across the country through you. Keep up your efforts like this. I will be waiting for your messages. Once again, I wish you and your family many, many greetings for the upcoming festivals. Thank you very much. Namaskar.
