Page 2 - NIS English 16-28 Feb, 2026

MANN KI BAAT | 130th Episode (January 25, 2026)

People’s Participation and

the Spirit of Collectivism:

Country’s Greatest Strength

Whether it’s Azamgarh, Anantapur, or any other place in the country, citizens are coming
together and fulfilling the big resolves with a sense of duty. This spirit of public participation
and collectivism is the country’s greatest strength. In his first ‘Mann Ki Baat’ program of 2026,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed several issues, including the importance of voting in
a democracy, AI, millets, India’s festival culture, and startups. Here are the key excerpts…

n Youth should become voters: I urge my young way. Today's generation is also achieving something
friends to register themselves as voters as soon as spectacular. Today's youth have incorporated
they turn 18. This will fulfill the sense of duty that the spirit of devotion into their experiences and
the Constitution expects from every citizen and will lifestyles.
also strengthen India's democracy.
n Year of the Family: India's family system is an
n Startups: India has today become the world's integral part of our tradition. It is viewed with great
third-largest startup ecosystem. These start-ups interest in many countries around the world. Many
are out of the box; they are working in sectors that countries hold this family system in high regard.
were unimaginable even 10 years ago. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al
Nahyan, the President of the UAE, told me that the
n Indian Products Should Be Of Top Quality:
Our mantra should be quality, quality, and only UAE is celebrating 2026 as the Year of the Family.
quality. Better quality today than yesterday. Let n Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam: The Ek Ped Maa Ke
us resolve to improve the quality of everything Naam campaign is being run across the country.
we manufacture. Whether it's our textiles, Millions of people have joined this campaign. So
technology, or even electronics...even packaging, the far, more than 200 crore trees have been planted in
connotation of an Indian product should become the country. This shows that people are now more
‘top quality.’ aware of environmental protection.

n People's Participation: In Azamgarh, people n Shree Anna (Millets): I am happy to notice that
have given new life to the Tamsa River, and in the people of the country are continuously growing
Anantapur, 10 reservoirs have been revived through in love with Shree Anna. Although we had declared
public participation. It is heartening to see people 2023 as the Millet Year, even today, three years
uniting and fulfilling big resolves with a sense later, the passion and commitment towards it in the
of duty. This spirit of public participation and country and the world are very encouraging.
collective action is the greatest strength of our n The World of AI: In February, there will be the
country.
India AI Impact Summit. Experts from around the
n Youth and Devotion: Bhajans and Kirtans have world, especially from the technology sector, will
been the soul of our culture for centuries. We have come to India for this summit. This conference will
heard these devotional songs in temples. Every also showcase India's progress and achievements in
generation has experienced devotion in its own the world of AI.

Scan the QR code to listen to the
full “Mann Ki Baat” episode.