New Delhi, Oct 26 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on Sunday during the 127th edition of “Mann Ki Baat” – a monthly radio broadcast. He extended his greetings to the public on the occasion of Chhath Puja, commended the efforts of young creators in revitalizing Sanskrit, and discussed topics like Indian coffee gaining international recognition.

Offering heartfelt wishes on the significant occasion of Chhath Puja, he remarked that it is a “beautiful example” of India’s social unity, where individuals from all walks of life gather to pray.

PM Modi expressed, “The entire country is now filled with the joy of festivals. We all celebrated Diwali a few days ago, and now many are engaged with Chhath Puja. Thekua is being made in households, ghats are being decorated, and markets are buzzing with excitement. A combination of devotion, warmth, and tradition can be felt everywhere.”

The four-day festival of faith, Chhath Puja, commenced on Saturday with the sacred ritual of Nahay-Khaay. This festival, dedicated to the Sun God, celebrates the relationship between nature and humanity, reflecting purity, gratitude, and discipline.

Praising the dedication of women who observe the Chhath fast, he stated, “The way they prepare for this festival with commitment and sincerity is truly inspiring.”

“The grand festival of Chhath illustrates the profound unity among culture, nature, and society. At the Chhath Ghats, people from every segment of society unite. This scene epitomizes India’s social harmony,” he said.

Encouraging public participation in the festivities, the Prime Minister also shared responses to his recent letter sent to the nation during this festive season, highlighting the country's achievements.

He indicated that he received numerous messages from citizens, stating, “Operation Sindoor has indeed instilled pride in every Indian. This year, lights of joy were ignited in regions that were once overshadowed by the darkness of Maoist terror. People desire the complete eradication of this Maoist threat that jeopardizes their children’s futures.”

Discussing the 'GST Bachat Utsav', PM Modi remarked on the “great enthusiasm” among people regarding it.

“This time, another heartwarming aspect during the festivals is the substantial increase in the purchase of 'Swadeshi' products in the markets. In the letters I received, people shared the 'Swadeshi' products they bought,” he said, praising the rise in the use of 'Swadeshi' products during the festive season.

He also acknowledged numerous messages regarding cleanliness and sanitation efforts. He commended initiatives like 'The Garbage Cafe' in Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh, where food is exchanged for plastic waste, and similar efforts by Bengaluru engineer Kapil Sharma, who initiated a campaign to restore the city’s lakes.

PM Modi congratulated the Border Security Force (BSF) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) for their initiatives to increase the presence of Indian breed dogs in their units.

“Many of you might recall that around five years ago, I discussed Indian breeds of dogs in this program. I urged my fellow citizens and our security forces to adopt Indian breeds, as they acclimatize better to our conditions. I’m pleased to report that our security agencies have made significant strides in this area. The BSF and CRPF have augmented the number of Indian breed dogs in their units,” PM Modi stated.

He further informed, “BSF's National Training Centre for dogs is in Tekanpur, Gwalior. Here, particular focus is placed on the Rampur Hound from Uttar Pradesh and the Mudhol Hound from Karnataka and Maharashtra. At this Centre, trainers are employing technology and innovation to enhance dog training.”

Notably, the BSF is poised to display an exclusive marching contingent of indigenous Indian breed dogs during the upcoming Ekta Diwas Parade at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat.

The Prime Minister also spotlighted Odisha's esteemed Koraput coffee, stating, “India's coffee is coffee at its finest — brewed in India and adored worldwide.”

“You all know of my association with tea, but today I thought, why not discuss coffee in 'Mann Ki Baat'! You might remember that last year we talked about Araku coffee in 'Mann Ki Baat'. Recently, many from Odisha shared their views with me about Koraput coffee and requested its mention in 'Mann Ki Baat',” the Prime Minister noted.

He further added, “Indian coffee is gaining immense popularity globally. Be it Chikmagalur, Coorg, and Hassan in Karnataka; the regions of Pulney, Shevaroy, Nilgiri, and Annamalai in Tamil Nadu; the Biligiri area on the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border; or the locales of Wayanad, Travancore, and Malabar in Kerala — the diversity of Indian coffee is genuinely remarkable.”

“Numerous women have seen their lives positively impacted by coffee. I have learned that our North-East is also advancing in coffee cultivation, further enhancing the identity of Indian coffee globally,” he added.

The Prime Minister also paid tribute to Komaram Bheem, the esteemed tribal leader who led the Gond rebellion against the British and feudal Nizams of Hyderabad in 1928.

“In the early 20th century, speaking against the Nizam was a crime. This young man boldly challenged an officer named Siddiqui, sent by the Nizam to seize farmers’ crops. In his struggle against tyranny, he killed Siddiqui and successfully evaded arrest, escaping from the oppressive police of the Nizam to Assam, hundreds of kilometers away,” PM Modi recounted during the broadcast.

“The great figure I refer to is Komaram Bheem. His birth anniversary was celebrated on October 22. Although he lived only 40 years, he left an unforgettable legacy in the hearts of many, especially within the tribal community,” he expressed.

He also praised the creativity of India's youth and their growing connection with the nation’s cultural heritage, highlighting the efforts of two sisters – Kamala and Jhanvi – whom he described as ‘fantastic’.

“There’s a young person on Instagram running the channel 'Sanskrit Chhatroham'. This individual not only shares information related to Sanskrit but also creates humorous videos in Sanskrit. Youngsters are quite fond of these videos. Many of you might have seen Samashti's videos, where she presents her songs in Sanskrit creatively. Another young individual, Bhavesh Bhimnathani, discusses Sanskrit shlokas, spiritual philosophy, and principles,” he concluded.