Team News Riveting
New Delhi, June 30
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday delivered the 111th episode of the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio programme and spoke about unique umbrellas made in Kerala.
Resuming his monthly radio programme after the break for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Modi talked about the ‘Karthumbi’ Umbrellas that are made in Attappadi of Kerala and informed about their cultural importance in the southern state of India.
“I want to tell you about a special kind of umbrella. These umbrellas are made in our Kerala. Umbrellas have a special significance in the culture of Kerala. Umbrellas are an important part of many traditions and rituals there,” said PM Modi. He highlighted that culturally significant umbrellas from Kerala are crafted by tribal women in the state. These umbrellas have become popular merchandise, even available in the e-marketplace.
The Prime Minister also appreciated the efforts of Abdul Rashid Mir of Chakura village for taking an initiative to promote the export of snow peas, saying “the people of Jammu and Kashmir are also not lagging behind in making local products global.” “What Jammu and Kashmir has achieved last month is an example for people across the country. The first consignment of snow peas was sent to London from Pulwama here,” PM Modi said in the 111th episode of his ‘Mann ki Baat’ radio address – the first after the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
He also talked about how the 10th Yoga Day was celebrated in Kashmir with great enthusiasm and zeal. “I also participated in the yoga program organized in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. In Kashmir, along with the youth, sisters and daughters also participated enthusiastically on Yoga Day,” he said.
Beginning with commemorating June 30 as Hul Diwas, the Prime Minister recounted the sacrifice of the brave Murmu brothers, Sidhu and Kanhu, who in the Santhal Rebellion of 1855, rebelled against the foreign (British) rule. This had happened before the popularly believed earliest Revolt of 1857 against British rule. The PM dedicated a Santhali song in honour of these bravehearts.
Stating that there is no dearth of unique products in India, and in a bid to promote ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative, Modi spotlighted Araku coffee produced in Andhra Pradesh’s Alluri Sitharama Raju district on a large scale. This coffee is known for its rich flavour and aroma. He said: “Around 1.5 lakh tribal people are associated with Araku coffee cultivation. Girijan Cooperative has played a huge role in taking Araku Coffee to new heights. This has brought farmer brothers and sisters together. Because of this, farmers’ income has also increased and they are now leading a respectable life.”
The Prime Minister also recounted his experience of tasting this coffee with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in Visakhapatnam.
Modi thanked the voters for participating in the festival of democracy. “Today, I also thank the countrymen for having reiterated their unwavering faith in our Constitution and the democratic systems of the country. The 2024 elections were the biggest elections in the world. An election as big as this, in which 65 crore people cast their votes, has never taken place in any other country in the world. For this, I congratulate the Election Commission and everyone involved in the voting process. My dear countrymen, today, the 30th of June is a very important day,” he said.
