Key highlights from PM Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’: Monsoon fury, Khelo India, Pratibha Setu and more

In the 125th episode of his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio programme on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed pressing issues, including the widespread devastation caused by the monsoon across parts of India. He also highlighted the country’s first Khelo India Water Sports Festival held at Dal Lake in Srinagar and drew attention to the ‘Pratibha Setu’ portal, commending it for offering a second chance to thousands of UPSC aspirants, among other topics.

Since its onset, the monsoon has wreaked havoc across India, from North to South. States including Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh have been severely affected by torrential rains, triggering floods, landslides, and flash floods.

Advertisement

Addressing his monthly radio programme, Prime Minister Modi said, “This monsoon season, natural disasters are testing the nation. In recent weeks, we have witnessed widespread devastation caused by floods and landslides. Homes have been torn apart, fields submerged, families shattered. Rising water levels have swept away bridges, washed out roads, and put countless lives at risk.”

Also Read: Right choice for dragon and elephant to come together: Xi tells Modi at Tianjin bilateral

Expressing distress, he said that these incidents have saddened every Indian. “The pain of the families who lost their loved ones is shared by all of us,” he added.

PM Modi lauded the Indian Armed Forces, the National and State Disaster Response Forces (NDRF and SDRF), social workers, and local communities for their efforts in rescue and relief operations as the monsoon continues to wreak havoc across several parts of the country.

He said, “Wherever there was a crisis, our NDRF, SDRF personnel and other security forces worked day and night to save people. The soldiers also took the help of technology. Efforts were made to speed up the rescue and relief efforts with the help of thermal cameras, live detectors, sniffer dogs, and drone surveillance.”

Expressing gratitude, PM Modi said, “During this, relief material was delivered by helicopters and the injured were airlifted. Armed forces came forward to help in times of crisis. Local people, social workers, doctors and administration; everyone made every possible effort in this hour of crisis. I heartily thank every such citizen who has prioritised humanity in these difficult times.”

The Prime Minister also lauded Jammu and Kashmir for achieving two significant milestones despite the devastation caused by recent floods and heavy rains.

“Amidst this devastation of floods and rains, Jammu and Kashmir has also attained two very special achievements. A record number of people gathered in a stadium in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, where Pulwama’s first-ever day-night cricket match was played. The second event that caught attention was the first Khelo India Water Sports Festival in the country, and that too was held at Dal Lake in Srinagar,” PM said.

PM also praised the UPSC’s newly renamed initiative Pratibha Setu, calling it a “beacon of hope” for UPSC aspirants who narrowly miss final selection.

“UPSC conducts the Civil Services exam, one of the toughest exams in the country. There are thousands of such candidates who are very capable but are unable to reach the final list by a small margin. These candidates have to prepare afresh for other exams that cost both their time and money. That is why, now a digital platform has been created for such sincere students – Pratibha Setu,” said PM Modi.

Pratibha Setu, earlier known as the Public Disclosure Scheme, is a UPSC initiative designed to link high-performing but non-recommended candidates with recruitment opportunities in both government and private sectors.