"India is not going to stop now...": says PM in 'Mann Ki Baat' program

Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished the countrymen the New Year in the 108th edition of 'Mann Ki Baat' and expressed confidence that India is becoming a hub of innovation.

Modi said on Sunday that the country is imbued with the spirit of 'Developed India' and self-reliance and this spirit and momentum has to be maintained in 2024 also.

During the telecast, Isha Foundation founder Sadhguru, Indian women's cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur, chess legend Vishwanathan Anand and actor Akshay Kumar told what is the secret of their good health.

Modi said, "Today is the 108th episode of our common journey. The importance of the number 108, its sanctity is a subject of deep study here. 108 hearts in the rosary, chanting 108 times, 108 divine areas, 108 stairs in temples, 108 bells... This number of 108 is associated with immense faith. That's why the 108th episode of Mann Ki Baat has become more special for me.

India is becoming a hub of innovation. The country is full of the feeling of self-reliance. It is the strength of 140 crore Indians that our country has achieved many special achievements this year. Today every corner of India is full of confidence, he added.

He said that with the efforts of India, 2023 was celebrated as International Year of Millets. This has provided a lot of opportunities to startups working in this field. As the interest in physical health is increasing, the demand for coaches and trainers related to this field is also increasing.

Modi said that India has been filled with pride in every period by the wonderful daughters of the country. Savitribai Phule ji and Rani Velu Nachiyar ji are two such personalities of the country. Her personality is like a lighthouse, which will continue to show the way to advance women power in every era.

He said that there is enthusiasm across the country regarding the Ram temple in Ayodhya, people are expressing their feelings in many ways, new 'bhajans' have been composed, poems have been written.

The Prime Minister mentioned the achievements of the country in various fields in the year 2023, including the success of Chandrayaan-3 and wished the countrymen a happy new year.