Puri hails PM Modi's 136th Mann Ki Baat address
Synopsis
Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on 26 July 2026 lauded PM Narendra Modi's 136th Mann Ki Baat, which spanned Kargil Vijay Divas tributes, sporting achievements, Swachh Bharat reinforcement, Sanskrit promotion, handloom heritage, and an astrophysicist from Manipur — all under the 'Virasat Bhi - Vikas Bhi' framework.
Key Takeaways
PM Modi delivered the 136th edition of Mann Ki Baat on 26 July 2026 , coinciding with Kargil Vijay Divas .
The Prime Minister paid tribute to the Armed Forces and celebrated victories of Indian sportspersons on the world stage.
Swachh Bharat Mission received fresh emphasis, with PM Modi reiterating the 'Reuse, Recycle, Reduce' principle as the foundation of the Jan Andolan.
Cultural heritage themes covered included Wagoo mats , Handlooms , Khadi , and indigenous musical instruments under the 'Virasat Bhi - Vikas Bhi' framing.
A teacher-led Sanskrit learning initiative in Keralam and rainwater harvesting efforts were highlighted as grassroots citizen actions.
The achievement of an astrophysicist from Manipur was cited as a symbol of Bharat's dual focus on heritage and scientific progress.
Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Sunday, 26 July 2026 praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 136th edition of the monthly Mann Ki Baat radio programme, highlighting the wide range of themes the Prime Minister touched upon — from defence commemorations to cultural heritage, environmental action, and citizen achievements across India.
Context
26 July marks Kargil Vijay Divas, the annual commemoration of India's military victory in the 1999 Kargil conflict. PM Modi used the occasion to pay tribute to the bravery and courage of the Armed Forces, weaving the defence commemoration into the broader fabric of the 136th Mann Ki Baat broadcast. The programme, which airs on All India Radio, has served since October 2014 as a direct communication channel between the Prime Minister and citizens.
Minister Puri noted that PM Modi also celebrated the performance and 'momentous victories' of Indian sportspersons on the world stage, reflecting the programme's characteristic sweep across governance, culture, and national achievement.
Policy backdrop
PM Modi used the 136th edition to reinforce the Swachh Bharat Mission, the flagship cleanliness and sanitation campaign launched on 2 October 2014, again emphasising the principles of 'Reuse, Recycle, Reduce' — the three pillars around which what he called an 'unprecedented Jan Andolan' (people's movement) is anchored. Minister Puri described this renewed emphasis as adding fresh momentum to the mission.
The Prime Minister also highlighted rainwater harvesting efforts and a teacher-led initiative to make Sanskrit easier to learn in Keralam, signalling continued government interest in both environmental conservation and the promotion of classical languages at the grassroots level.
Stakeholders and impact
PM Modi spotlighted traditional crafts including Wagoo mats, Handlooms, and Khadi, alongside indigenous musical instruments — all under the government's 'Virasat Bhi - Vikas Bhi' (Heritage Too, Development Too) framing, which positions cultural preservation as complementary to economic progress. Weavers, artisans, and cultural practitioners stand as direct beneficiaries of this sustained public attention.
The Prime Minister also acknowledged the achievement of an astrophysicist from Manipur, which Minister Puri cited as a clear illustration of Bharat's simultaneous focus on heritage and advancement. Such individual spotlights in Mann Ki Baat have historically translated into increased public visibility and, in some cases, policy follow-through for the sectors involved.
What's next
The 137th edition of Mann Ki Baat will be watched for further announcements on Swachh Bharat Mission implementation, particularly any state-level updates on waste management under the circular economy framework. Follow-up action on the Sanskrit learning initiative in Keralam and rainwater harvesting schemes at the state level will also be tracked by policy observers. The 'Virasat Bhi - Vikas Bhi' theme, now a consistent thread across multiple editions, is expected to continue shaping cultural-policy signalling in the months ahead.
Point of View
Culture, environment, and citizen-achievement narratives into a single cohesive national story — a format that has proved durable across more than a decade. Minister Puri's enthusiastic public endorsement underscores how senior Cabinet members deploy the programme as a platform amplifier, reinforcing its messaging within their own policy domains. The 'Virasat Bhi - Vikas Bhi' framing is increasingly functioning as a meta-theme that allows the government to simultaneously signal cultural nationalism and developmental ambition without apparent contradiction. Observers will note that the convergence of Kargil Vijay Divas with the broadcast date gives this edition an unusually strong defence-patriotism dimension that could sharpen its political resonance.
NationPress
26 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was covered in the 136th Mann Ki Baat?
The 136th Mann Ki Baat , aired on 26 July 2026 , covered tributes to the Armed Forces on Kargil Vijay Divas , celebrations of Indian sportspersons' victories, the Swachh Bharat Mission 's 'Reuse, Recycle, Reduce' principles, rainwater harvesting, a Sanskrit learning initiative in Keralam , traditional handlooms and Khadi, indigenous musical instruments, and the achievement of an astrophysicist from Manipur .
When is Kargil Vijay Divas observed and why?
Kargil Vijay Divas is observed on 26 July every year to commemorate India's victory in the 1999 Kargil conflict with Pakistan , honouring the soldiers who fought and died in the high-altitude battle.
What is 'Virasat Bhi Vikas Bhi'?
'Virasat Bhi - Vikas Bhi' translates as 'Heritage Too, Development Too' and is a policy framing used by the Modi government to position cultural preservation — of crafts, languages, and traditions — as compatible with and complementary to economic and scientific progress.
How many editions of Mann Ki Baat have been broadcast?
As of 26 July 2026 , PM Narendra Modi has broadcast 136 editions of Mann Ki Baat on All India Radio . The programme began in October 2014 as a monthly address to citizens.
Why did Hardeep Singh Puri comment on Mann Ki Baat?
Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri posted on X to publicly laud the 136th Mann Ki Baat , highlighting its breadth of themes — a common practice among senior BJP Cabinet ministers to amplify the Prime Minister's messaging across their own platforms and policy domains.
