Giriraj Singh Highlights PM Modi's Mann Ki Baat Nod to Nandyal Water Works
Synopsis
PM Modi named Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh, in his Mann Ki Baat address for its Catch the Rain rainwater harvesting works. Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh amplified the reference on X on 27 July 2026, drawing national attention to the district's water conservation model under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan framework.
Key Takeaways
PM Modi highlighted Nandyal 's rainwater harvesting efforts in his Mann Ki Baat radio address.
Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh shared the reference on X on 27 July 2026 .
Nandyal is located in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh , a drought-prone region prioritised under central water schemes.
The Catch the Rain campaign was launched in 2020 as an extension of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan (2019) to promote community-level water conservation.
Primary beneficiaries are farmers and rural communities dependent on seasonal rainfall and groundwater.
A Mann Ki Baat mention typically accelerates replication of local models and can attract increased administrative and financial attention.
Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh on Monday, 27 July 2026, shared on X that Prime Minister Narendra Modi referenced the rainwater harvesting efforts in Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh, during his monthly Mann Ki Baat radio address, drawing national attention to the district's water conservation work under the Catch the Rain campaign.
Context
Mann Ki Baat (roughly, 'words from the heart') is PM Modi's monthly public radio programme in which he highlights citizen-led and government-backed initiatives from across the country. The programme has consistently served as a platform to amplify grassroots success stories and encourage replication at scale. By naming Nandyal specifically, the Prime Minister spotlighted a district-level water conservation model in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh.
Policy Backdrop
The Catch the Rain campaign was launched in 2020 as an extension of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan, itself introduced in 2019 to promote water conservation and groundwater recharge in water-stressed blocks across India. The campaign encourages community-level rainwater harvesting, desilting of tanks, and rejuvenation of traditional water bodies before and during the monsoon season. Andhra Pradesh, along with Rajasthan and several other states, has been a focus area for district-level interventions given its history of drought-prone conditions.
Successive central governments since the mid-2010s have prioritised water security through schemes that combine traditional knowledge — such as tank-based irrigation systems — with modern infrastructure to recharge aquifers and reduce dependence on distant water sources. The public recognition of Nandyal's work fits within a consistent communication strategy of using Mann Ki Baat to scale successful local models nationwide.
Stakeholders and Impact
The primary beneficiaries of Catch the Rain works are farmers and rural communities in water-scarce regions who depend on seasonal rainfall and groundwater for irrigation and drinking water. Rainwater harvesting structures and rejuvenated water bodies help recharge local aquifers, reducing crop losses during dry spells. A national mention in Mann Ki Baat typically generates increased administrative attention and can accelerate funding and replication of a model in neighbouring districts and states.
Giriraj Singh, though a Union Textiles Minister, shared the reference on his personal X account, reflecting the broader BJP practice of amplifying Mann Ki Baat highlights across ministerial social media handles to maximise reach.
What's Next
The spotlight on Nandyal's rainwater harvesting works is likely to prompt state and district administrations in Andhra Pradesh to document and present their Catch the Rain progress more formally, including potential presentations before Parliament in the next financial year. Observers will watch whether the recognition translates into enhanced central allocations or technical support for water body rejuvenation projects in the region. Progress reports on Catch the Rain coverage nationwide are expected to be a key metric in upcoming Jal Shakti Ministry reviews.
Point of View
Reinforcing the Jal Shakti Abhiyan's narrative of grassroots impact. Giriraj Singh's amplification — despite water not being his ministerial portfolio — signals coordinated BJP social media outreach around the programme. The move also serves a political purpose in Andhra Pradesh, where the party is seeking to consolidate its presence ahead of future electoral cycles. Whether the spotlight translates into measurable policy follow-through, such as enhanced central funding or parliamentary review, will be the real test of this recognition.
NationPress
27 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did PM Modi say about Nandyal in Mann Ki Baat?
PM Modi referenced Nandyal's rainwater harvesting and water body rejuvenation works carried out under the Catch the Rain campaign during his Mann Ki Baat address, citing the district as an example of effective community-level water conservation.
What is the Catch the Rain campaign?
Catch the Rain is a nationwide campaign launched in 2020 under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan to promote rainwater harvesting, desilting of tanks, and conservation of water structures, particularly before and during the monsoon season.
Where is Nandyal located?
Nandyal is a town in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, a region historically prone to drought and a focus area for central government water conservation interventions.
Why did Giriraj Singh share this Mann Ki Baat reference?
Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh shared the reference on his X account on 27 July 2026 as part of the broader BJP practice of amplifying Mann Ki Baat highlights across ministerial and party social media handles.
What is the Jal Shakti Abhiyan?
Jal Shakti Abhiyan is a central government initiative launched in 2019 to promote water conservation and groundwater recharge in water-stressed districts across India, of which Catch the Rain is a key component.
