Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed the nation through his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat. It was the 47th edition of the programme.

In today’s edition of Mann ki Baat, PM Modi greeted the nation on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan and also talked about the importance of teachers in students’ lives in view of upcoming Teachers’ Day.

The Prime Minister applauded the sportsmen who have won medals for the country in the ongoing Asian Games being held in Indonesia.

Here are the highlights from PM Modi’s Mann Ki Baat:

Raksha Bandhan and Sanskrit Diwas

PM Modi extended heartiest greetings to the nation on Raksha Bandhan and Sanskrit Diwas. “Raksha Bandhan is being celebrated in entire country today. The festival is a symbol of love and understanding between a brother and a sister,” he said.

The Prime Minister conveys Raksha Bandhan greetings during #MannKiBaat. https://t.co/CbSYmu66bw pic.twitter.com/rrZWfhya14

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 26, 2018

Highlighting the core value of Sanskrit, he said, “Sanskrit has played a crucial role in the spread of knowledge. There will not be any field of knowledge which has not been propagated through Sanskrit.”

Teachers’ Day

“Sanskrit Subhashitas help articulating things. Here is how a Guru has been described in Sanskrit. I also convey greetings on Teacher’s Day,” said PM Modi.

Kerala Floods

The PM made a special mention of the devastating Kerala floods in his radio address. He said, “India stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of Kerala in this hour of grief. Our condolences are with the people who have lost their loved ones in the Kerala Floods. People from all walks of life have come in support of the people of Kerala.”

India stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of Kerala in this hour of grief. #MannKiBaat pic.twitter.com/ANq79PFsvz

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 26, 2018

The prime minister appreciated the work done by security forces and various teams towards flood rescue and relief work in Kerala.

“Life cannot be compensated, but I assure you that 1.25 billion people of India stand firmly with you”, said the PM.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Modi remembered late BJP stalwart and former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee saying he “brought a very distinctive and positive change in India’s political culture”.

Remembering the immense contributions of Atal Ji. #MannKiBaat pic.twitter.com/dQXaZ82hvt

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 26, 2018

“Tributes for Atal Ji have poured in from all sections of society. It was decided during the tenure of PM Vajpayee to fix the size of council of ministers to 15% of the size of the state assemblies. Atal Ji also made the anti-defection law stricter,” he said.

“As soon as the people in our country and abroad heard of the demise of Atalji on 16th August, everyone drowned in sadness. He was a leader who gave up his position as Prime Minister fourteen years ago,” the PM added.

Asian Games

The Prime Minister said eyes of the nation were on Jakarta at the moment where the Asian Games are being played. “We are proud of the medal winners in the 2018 Asian Games and wish those whose events are left the very best.”

The eyes of the nation are on Jakarta.

We are proud of the medal winners in the 2018 Asian Games and wish those whose events are left the very best: PM @narendramodi #MannKiBaat pic.twitter.com/xnPF1umS3d

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 26, 2018

He said Indian sportspersons were making the nation proud not only in shooting and wrestling but also in those events where “we didn’t excel, like Wushu and Rowing”. “These are ample proof of soaring confidence of Indian sportspersons,” he said.

Modi said National Sports Day would be observed on August 29. “My best wishes to sports lovers on the occasion,” he said.

I once again urge the people of India to focus on fitness, says PM @narendramodi. #MannKiBaat pic.twitter.com/vJbfzmVRlo

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 26, 2018

During his Mann ki Baat, the PM also requested the countrymen to play regularly and take care of their fitness to make a thriving and prosperous India.

Monsoon Session of Parliament

“My dear countrymen! The monsoon session of Parliament ended just a few days back.This Monsoon session of Parliament will always be remembered as a session for social justice and youth welfare,” he said.

We witnessed a productive monsoon session, for which I congratulate MP colleagues.

This was a session devoted to social justice and youth welfare: PM @narendramodi #MannKiBaat pic.twitter.com/zQczwLtkoW

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 26, 2018

Stating that the triple talaq Bill was passed in Lok Sabha but could not be cleared in the Rajya Sabha, the PM said, “I would like to assure Muslim women that the entire nation is there with them and will ensure that they get justice.”

Ending the latest edition of his Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi said, “We will keep meeting through Mann Ki Baat, and will keep sharing matters close to our hearts. We will join hands in taking our country forward with heartfelt vigor.”