Mann Ki Baat Ep 136: Modi lauds Ahmedabad's 3.5 lakh sapling Guinness record
Synopsis
In the 136th episode of Mann Ki Baat, Modi singled out Ahmedabad's Bhadaj area — where over 25,000 people planted 3.5 lakh saplings in a single hour to claim a Guinness World Record — as proof that the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign is generating genuine mass momentum. Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel watched the broadcast seated among citizens in Gandhinagar, then amplified the message on X.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi highlighted the Ahmedabad Bhadaj tree-planting drive in the 136th episode of Mann Ki Baat on 26 July 2025 .
More than 3.5 lakh saplings were planted in one hour by over 25,000 participants , earning a Guinness World Record .
Modi urged all citizens to join the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign and pledge to plant one tree.
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel attended a public screening at Mahakaleshwar Temple Hall, Gandhinagar , seated among citizens and youth workers.
Modi also paid tribute to the Indian Armed Forces on Kargil Vijay Diwas and spoke on defence Atmanirbharta .
CM Patel shared his support for the record on X , calling it 'an incredible example of public participation.'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, 27 July 2025 spotlighted Ahmedabad's mass tree-planting drive — which set a Guinness World Record — as a defining example of citizen-led environmental action during the 136th episode of Mann Ki Baat. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel joined members of the public at a community screening of the broadcast held at the Mahakaleshwar Temple Hall, Sector-1, Gandhinagar.
The Record-Breaking Drive in Bhadaj
At the heart of Modi's address was the plantation effort in Ahmedabad's Bhadaj area, where more than 3.5 lakh saplings were planted within a single hour, with over 25,000 participants — including school students, NCC cadets, volunteers, and ordinary citizens — joining the effort. The achievement has been officially recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records.
'People across the country are fulfilling their responsibility towards nature through the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign. When society connects with this sentiment, beautiful and inspiring examples emerge. The incredible power of public participation was witnessed in Ahmedabad. In the Bhadaj area, over 3.5 lakh saplings were planted within a single hour, with more than 25,000 people joining the effort,' Modi said during the broadcast.
He added that the saplings planted during the drive would eventually grow into a dense urban forest, and called on every Indian to pledge to plant at least one tree for a clean, green, and sustainable future.
CM Patel at the Public Screening
Before the broadcast began, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel offered prayers at the Mahakaleshwar Temple before taking his seat among citizens and youth workers for the screening. Also present were Gandhinagar City BJP President Dr Ashish Dave, Gandhinagar Mayor Mira Patel, Nagarik Bank Chairman and Municipal Corporator Mahendradas, and office-bearers of the city Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organisation.
Following the episode, CM Patel shared his response on X, writing: 'An incredible example of public participation! Respected Prime Minister, in Mann Ki Baat, specially appreciated the 'Guinness World Record' created by the citizens of Ahmedabad (Bhadaj) by planting more than 3.5 lakh saplings in just 1 hour. This wonderful effort by more than 25,000 citizens, students, and volunteers will take the shape of a dense urban forest in the coming years. Come, let us all join the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign and make our Earth green and lush.'
Kargil Vijay Diwas and Defence Self-Reliance
The 136th episode, broadcast on 26 July — Kargil Vijay Diwas — also saw Modi pay tribute to the courage and sacrifice of the Indian Armed Forces. He spoke about India's ongoing push for Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in the defence sector, underlining the strategic importance of indigenous capability-building.
Youth Achievements and Broader Themes
Modi also used the platform to commend young Indians making strides in sports, science, and technology, framing their achievements as central to the country's development narrative. Mann Ki Baat, the Prime Minister's monthly radio address, serves as a recurring platform to highlight citizen-led initiatives, social innovation, and national milestones — reaching audiences across India and the Indian diaspora. This comes amid a broader government push to scale the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign nationally, with states being encouraged to organise similar mass plantation events.
Point of View
But its amplification through Mann Ki Baat and a staged CM public screening underscores how environmental campaigns increasingly double as political optics — particularly in an election-conscious state like Gujarat. The 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign has generated visible participation numbers, yet independent monitoring of sapling survival rates — the true measure of any plantation drive — remains largely absent from official communication. A Guinness record for planting is not the same as a verified urban forest; the gap between the two is where accountability should sit.
NationPress
26 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did PM Modi say about Ahmedabad in Mann Ki Baat Episode 136?
PM Modi praised Ahmedabad's Bhadaj area, where over 3.5 lakh saplings were planted within a single hour by more than 25,000 people, earning a Guinness World Record. He cited it as a standout example of the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign's impact and urged all citizens to plant at least one tree.
What is the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign?
It is a nationwide tree-planting initiative promoted by the central government, encouraging citizens to plant a tree in their mother's name as a tribute and an act of environmental responsibility. The campaign has been used to organise mass plantation drives across Indian states.
What Guinness World Record did Ahmedabad set?
The Bhadaj area of Ahmedabad set a Guinness World Record by planting more than 3.5 lakh saplings within a single hour, with over 25,000 participants including school students, NCC cadets, and volunteers taking part.
Why did Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel attend a public screening of Mann Ki Baat?
CM Patel joined citizens and youth workers at the Mahakaleshwar Temple Hall in Gandhinagar to watch the 136th episode of Mann Ki Baat, during which PM Modi specifically praised Ahmedabad's tree-planting Guinness record. Patel also offered prayers at the temple before the screening and later shared his response on X.
What other topics did PM Modi cover in Mann Ki Baat Episode 136?
Beyond the Ahmedabad plantation record, Modi paid tribute to the Indian Armed Forces on Kargil Vijay Diwas (26 July), spoke about India's progress in defence self-reliance (Atmanirbharta), and commended young Indians for achievements in sports, science, and technology.
