Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, 25 October 2026, lauded the Kheti Virasat Mission's Nav Trinjan initiative in Punjab during the 139th episode of his monthly radio programme, Mann Ki Baat, highlighting how organic cotton cultivation and the revival of traditional weaving are transforming livelihoods — particularly for women — in the state's Malwa region. The Prime Minister said India's traditional skills, long rooted in its cultural identity, were now being adapted to meet contemporary needs.

What Nav Trinjan Is and How It Works

The Kheti Virasat Mission, an organisation working to revive organic farming and traditional agricultural practices in Punjab, launched Nav Trinjan to promote natural cotton cultivation in the Malwa region. Under the programme, organic cotton is grown entirely without chemical inputs. Crucially, natural-coloured cotton varieties are also cultivated, eliminating the need for chemical dyes at the yarn and fabric stage. Modi noted the dual environmental benefit: fewer pesticides in the field and fewer toxins in the textile supply chain.

'You can imagine how much this is helping the environment,' the Prime Minister said, underlining the ecological significance of the initiative.

The Weaving School and Women Whose Lives Changed

Nav Trinjan established a weaving school a few years ago with the explicit goal of transferring traditional handloom skills to a new generation. Modi highlighted four women whose trajectories illustrate what the school has delivered. Ramandeep Kaur, who previously earned her living as a daily-wage labourer, trained at the school and has since become a recognised skilled weaver. Rekha Rani had never seen a handloom before enrolling — and the shawl she eventually produced was presented to the President of India, a mark of exceptional craftsmanship. Suneha Devi, formerly employed in domestic work, now produces remarkable fabrics on a handloom. Rajini Kaur, who had relied on agricultural labour, has developed weaving skills that are helping her sustain her household more effectively.

'After training at the school, many such women are using yarn made from indigenous organic cotton to produce shawls, towels, and other textiles. These efforts are bringing greater prosperity in their lives,' Modi said.

Modi's Personal Connection to the Initiative

The Prime Minister recalled meeting the Nav Trinjan team on National Handloom Day, describing the encounter as a firsthand witness to the group's passion and dedication. 'During that interaction, I witnessed their passion and dedication for their work. I extend my heartfelt wishes to this team for their bright future,' he said.

Wider Context: Traditional Crafts as a Policy Theme

Modi's praise for Nav Trinjan fits a recurring theme in his Mann Ki Baat addresses — using the programme to surface grassroots initiatives that align with broader government priorities such as natural farming, sustainable livelihoods, and women's economic empowerment. Notably, the National Handloom Day connection signals that the Centre views handloom revival not merely as cultural preservation but as an employment and export strategy. The handloom sector employs an estimated 35 lakh weavers across India, with Punjab's phulkari and cotton traditions forming a significant regional strand. This is the 139th consecutive episode of Mann Ki Baat since it first aired in 2014, and it continues to serve as a platform for spotlighting community-level innovation.

As demand for sustainable and naturally dyed textiles grows globally, initiatives like Nav Trinjan could find both domestic and export markets — a dimension that advocates say deserves formal policy support beyond individual recognition.