Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav joined local residents and elected representatives at Kanchana Ghat in the historic town of Orchha, Niwari district, on Sunday, 27 July 2026, to listen collectively to the 136th edition of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat. The public listening event highlighted themes of water conservation, space achievement, sports inspiration, and defence self-reliance.

Context

In the broadcast, Prime Minister Modi called for making the 'Catch the Rain' campaign a mass people's movement (jan-jan ka andolan). He also referenced the successful launch of Vikram-1 as a milestone in India's space journey under the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, and praised the inspiring achievements of Indian athletes who, he said, continue to motivate the entire nation.

The Prime Minister additionally underscored India's growing strength in defence production, defence exports, and deepening global cooperation with friendly nations — reinforcing the resolve to build a developed and self-reliant India.

Policy Backdrop

Mann Ki Baat was launched by Prime Minister Modi in October 2014 as a direct monthly radio address to citizens, covering public campaigns and national achievements. The Catch the Rain campaign was initiated by the Ministry of Jal Shakti in 2021 to promote rainwater harvesting across the country, with a fresh phase beginning on 4 July this year.

India's push for defence indigenisation and export growth has been a central plank of the Atmanirbhar Bharat framework since 2020, with the space sector increasingly cited as a symbol of that self-reliance ambition.

Madhya Pradesh Angle

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav noted that, inspired by the Prime Minister, Madhya Pradesh has carried out significant work under the 'Jal Ganga Sanvardhan Abhiyan' for the third consecutive year — a state-level water conservation initiative that aligns directly with the national Catch the Rain campaign. He expressed confidence that the state's groundwork will amplify the benefits of the ongoing national drive.

The choice of Orchha — a prominent tourist and religious destination on the banks of the Betwa river in Niwari district — as the venue lent symbolic weight to the water conservation message, given the town's riverfront heritage.

Stakeholders and Impact

The collective listening event brought together local residents, elected representatives, and community members, reinforcing the participatory model the BJP has used to amplify Mann Ki Baat messaging at the grassroots level. Water conservation groups and defence manufacturers operating in Madhya Pradesh stand to benefit from the policy signals around Catch the Rain and Atmanirbhar Bharat respectively.

Indian athletes referenced in the broadcast represent another constituency the programme seeks to celebrate and motivate, connecting national pride to local audiences.

What's Next

The integration of Jal Ganga Sanvardhan Abhiyan with the national Catch the Rain campaign will be closely watched for measurable outcomes — particularly in water table recovery and rainwater harvesting infrastructure across Madhya Pradesh. Progress on defence exports and further milestones in the space sector are also expected to feature in upcoming policy updates as the Atmanirbhar Bharat agenda advances.