In his 99th edition of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio programme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi invoked goddess ‘Shakti’ and shared stories of several women achievers in various fields. The PM lauded their efforts to create a “new perspective” in the country.
In his address, Modi said, “My dear countrymen, this is the time of Navratri; the time to worship Shakti. Today, the potential of India which is emerging from a new perspective, our woman power has a very big role in it.”
The PM mentioned about Asia’s first female loco pilot Surekha Yadav. He said Surekha ji, besides being Asia’s first female loco pilot, has also become the first woman loco pilot of Vande Bharat Express.
This month, producer Guneet Monga and director Kartiki Gonsalves brought laurels to the country by winning an Oscar for their documentary, ‘The Elephant Whisperers’, the PM said.
Talking about women achievers in other fields, the PM mentioned about Sister Jyotirmayi Mohanty, Scientist of Bhabha Atomic Research Center, who has received a special award from IUPAC in the field of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering.
Moving to cricket arena, he said, “Earlier this year, India’s Under-19 women’s cricket team created history by winning the T-20 World Cup.”
He added, “In Nagaland, for the first time in 75 years, two women legislators have reached the Vidhan Sabha through their victory. India has also deployed a women-only platoon for peacekeeping under a UN mission. Women are showing power in all fields.”
The prime minister highlighted many such achievements by women. He said, “Group Captain Shaliza Dhami has become the first woman Air Force officer to get a Command Appointment in a Combat Unit. She has a flying experience of about 3,000 hours. Similarly, Captain Shiva Chauhan of the Indian Army has become the first woman officer to be posted in Siachen. Asia’s first woman loco pilot Surekha Yadav set another record. She has also become the first woman loco pilot of Vande Bharat.”
Modi also spoke about the global focus on renewable energy and said, “In Pune, Maharashtra, one such excellent effort has caught my attention. Diu has become the first district in India which is using 100% clean energy for all daytime needs.”
His last ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme aired on February 26. Earlier this week, the Ministry of Education (MoE) proposed to disseminate information about the 100th episode of the ‘Mann Ki Baat’, which is set to air on April 30, across universities, colleges and higher education institutes by displaying Mann Ki Baat banners on campuses.
