Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, 31 May urged citizens to protect themselves from the intensifying summer heat by turning to traditional Indian cooling drinks, speaking during the 134th episode of his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat'. With heat wave conditions gripping large parts of the country, Modi stressed the importance of hydration, sun safety, and adherence to government health guidelines.

What PM Modi Said

'Currently, most parts of the country are reeling under intense heat, scorching sun, hot winds; it is necessary to take care of yourselves in this season,' Modi said during the broadcast. He called on citizens to keep drinking water and exercise caution before stepping out in the sun.

Modi invoked the imagery of Indian kitchens transforming with the seasons — earthen pots filling with water, raw mangoes boiling, and yoghurt being set — to illustrate how traditional wisdom has always offered answers to summer heat.

A Region-by-Region Guide to India's Cooling Drinks

The Prime Minister offered a detailed, geography-spanning survey of India's traditional summer beverages. In Northern India, he highlighted Aam Panna — a raw mango drink known for its cooling properties — and Lassi, widely consumed across Punjab and Haryana. Rajasthan and Gujarat, he noted, rely on buttermilk as a staple of every meal.

In Bihar, Jharkhand, and western Uttar Pradesh, Sattu Sharbat — made from roasted gram flour — was praised for being both filling and energising. Along the Konkan coast and Goa, Kokum Sharbat and Sol Kadhi serve a similar purpose. South India offers Panakam, Neer Mor, and Sambaram, while Odisha has its own variant in Bela Panna.

Cultural Significance Beyond the Glass

'These are not just drinks but part of the traditions of different cultures of India. Additionally, they also reflect the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat,' Modi said, framing the beverages as expressions of national unity through regional diversity.

He was emphatic that these remedies carry the weight of generational knowledge rather than commercial branding. 'Most of these things have originated from our own kitchens and farms. No big branding, but generations of experience are embedded in them,' he added.

Health Context and Government Advisory

Modi's remarks come as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has flagged severe heat wave conditions across multiple states. Health authorities have repeatedly advised citizens — particularly the elderly, children, and outdoor workers — to limit sun exposure between noon and 3 pm IST, drink adequate fluids, and avoid strenuous activity during peak heat hours. The Prime Minister's endorsement of traditional drinks aligns with these public health advisories, lending them wider visibility through one of India's most-listened-to radio programmes.

As summer temperatures are expected to remain elevated through June, public health experts say community-level awareness — including the kind Modi promoted on Sunday — remains a critical line of defence against heat-related illness.