Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called on Indian industry and start-ups to make quality and excellence their core focus, declaring that the era of “somehow it works” is over as India rises to become the world’s third-largest start-up ecosystem.
Thumbnail of a video posted by PM Modi on X.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called on Indian industry and start-ups to make quality and excellence their core focus, declaring that the era of “somehow it works” is over as India rises to become the world’s third-largest start-up ecosystem.
In the 130th episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ and the first broadcast of 2026, PM Modi tied India’s swift economic progress to civic responsibility, innovation, and people-driven social change, ahead of Republic Day on January 26.
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“India’s economy is advancing rapidly, and the world is watching us,” he said. “At this critical moment, we have a great responsibility—quality, quality, and only quality. Let excellence become our standard.”
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He began by marking National Voters’ Day on January 25, emphasising voting as both a privilege and a constitutional duty. PM Modi encouraged young Indians to celebrate becoming voters with the same enthusiasm as birthdays and called on first-time voters to register promptly and celebrate voting in their communities.
Reflecting on the launch of the Start-up India initiative in 2016, the Prime Minister highlighted the transformation in India’s innovation landscape over the past decade. Indian start-ups are now active in fields such as artificial intelligence, space technology, green hydrogen, and biotechnology—sectors previously unimaginable.
“Today, India ranks as the third-largest start-up ecosystem globally,” PM Modi said, applauding young entrepreneurs for their boldness and historic achievements.
He reiterated his “Zero Defect, Zero Effect” vision, emphasising that Indian products—from textiles to electronics and packaging—must be synonymous with world-class quality to realise the goal of a developed India.
The broadcast also spotlighted community-led initiatives, praising efforts like the revival of the Tamsa river in Uttar Pradesh, reservoir restoration and afforestation in Andhra Pradesh, a community kitchen in Gujarat, and an anti-addiction campaign in Jammu and Kashmir.
“This spirit of public participation is our nation’s greatest strength,” PM Modi said.
He noted evolving cultural trends among youth, welcoming the rise of “bhajan clubbing” as a creative fusion of modernity and spirituality that preserves devotional music.
PM Modi also lauded environmental efforts, including Swachh Bharat campaigns in the northeast, urban recycling drives, and individual environmental champions documenting medicinal plants. He highlighted that over 200 crore trees have been planted nationwide under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign.
The Prime Minister welcomed the growing popularity of millets, crediting women’s farmer collectives and farmer producer companies for innovating and adding value, as well as temples adopting millets in prasad to boost farmer incomes and public health.
He praised the Indian diaspora in Malaysia for preserving Indian languages and culture through schools and heritage initiatives, strengthening ties between the two nations.
The Prime Minister also announced the India AI Impact Summit in February to showcase India’s artificial intelligence achievements with global experts.
Extending Republic Day greetings, he affirmed that ‘Mann Ki Baat’ will continue to celebrate grassroots accomplishments and national milestones.
“This programme allows us to recognise and rejoice in our country’s progress,” he said, signing off with best wishes for the nation.
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