At the sacred precinct of the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav joined local residents and elected representatives on Sunday, September 27, 2026, to listen to the 138th episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Mann Ki Baat' — and came away with a moment of particular pride for the state.

In the episode, PM Modi spotlighted the efforts of Madhya Pradesh's youth in river-cleanliness drives, calling out their contribution as a standout example of citizen-led environmental action. For CM Yadav, hosting the listening session at one of the country's twelve Jyotirlingas was a deliberate signal: the programme's message of community service finds a natural home at a site that already draws millions as a centre of cultural and spiritual life.

What PM Modi Covered in Episode 138

Beyond river conservation, the Prime Minister addressed a sweep of themes that have become fixtures of the programme's national conversation: de-addiction, environmental protection, nutrition, opportunities for sporting talent, and the preservation of India's cultural heritage. The breadth is characteristic. 'Mann Ki Baat' has functioned since its October 2014 launch as a weekly national town-hall without an audience — Modi speaks, the country listens, and the stories he picks travel.

CM Yadav described the programme as a 'powerful medium' — 'sashakt madhyam' — for bringing citizen-driven positive change from every corner of the country into the national spotlight. He added that the broadcast renews the spirit of 'seva, sahbhagita aur sankalp' — service, participation and resolve.

Why Ujjain's Mahakal Complex Was Chosen

The Mahakaleshwar Temple complex is far more than a religious landmark. Situated in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, the Jyotirlinga shrine draws millions of pilgrims annually and has been the site of major state and national cultural events. Holding the 'Mann Ki Baat' session here amplifies the programme's community-engagement mandate by embedding it within a shared civic and spiritual space — locals and their representatives, together, in public, listening to the Prime Minister.

MP Youth and the River-Cleanliness Recognition

The Prime Minister's specific mention of Madhya Pradesh youth-led river-cleanliness initiatives aligns with the broader Swachh Bharat Abhiyan push and state-level environmental campaigns. 'Mann Ki Baat' regularly uses such grassroots spotlights to encourage replication elsewhere — a named effort in one state becomes a template for others. Whether the state government follows with structured scaling of these drives will be worth watching in the weeks ahead.

A radio address turned a riverside temple courtyard into a classroom for the republic. The youth who cleaned a river got a national mention. That, in its own way, is the whole point of the exercise.