PM Modi hails country's Startup culture

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed country's Startup culture, saying that India is leading in the world of Startups yesterday. Addressing the nation through his Mann Ki Baat programme on All India Radio, the Prime Minister said, Start-ups in the country are getting record investment year after year. He added that the sector is progressing very fast and its reach has increased even in small towns of the country. 

He spoke about Unicorns and explained that it is a start-up whose valuation is at least one Billion Dollars, that is more than about seven thousand crore rupees. The Prime Minister stated that the present time is the turning point of India's growth story, where people are not only dreaming of becoming job seekers but also becoming job creators. He said this will further strengthen India's stature on the global stage.

Mr Modi said, the resonance of Amrit Mahotsav has spread throughout the country, from Panchayats to Parliament. Mr Modi expressed happiness that programmes in connection with the Mahotsav are going on successfully. He said that keeping in view the contribution of tribal communities in attaining Freedom, the country has also celebrated the ‘Janajati Gaurav Saptah’. He added that an interesting programme was held in Delhi recently called ‘Azadi Ki Kahani - Bachchon Ki Zubani’ where children narrated stories connected with the Freedom Struggle.

India's Maharatna, ONGC too is celebrating the Amrit Mahotsav in a slightly different manner. Mr Modi pointed out that ONGC is organizing study tours to oil fields for students. In these tours, youth is being imparted knowledge on ONGC’s Oil Field Operations with the objective that budding engineers will be able to contribute their bit to nation building efforts with full zest and fervor.

The Prime Minister mentioned how in Andaman and Nicobar, people from tribal communities such as Jarwa and Onge vibrantly displayed their culture. He noted how miniature writer Ram Kumar Joshi from Una in Himachal Pradesh has drawn sketches of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on postage stamps. 

He also praised the persons from Katni in Madhya Pradesh who conveyed information on a memorable Dastangoi, story-telling programme. Through that, memories of the indomitable courage and sacrifice of Rani Durgavati have been rekindled. Mr Modi also said that a three-day Festival was organized in Kashi in honour of illustrious luminaries such as Goswami Tulsidas, Sant Kabir, Sant Ravidas, Bharatendu Harishchandra, Munshi Premchand and Jaishankar Prasad.

The Prime Minister referred to the three competitions he had spoken of in the last Mann Ki Baat. One was on writing patriotic songs, one on drawing Rangolis on events connected with patriotic fervor and the Freedom movement and one on scripting lullabies that nurture dreams of a grand India in the minds of children. Mr Modi hoped that people would have sent their entries for these competitions.

Mr Modi said India is leading in the world of Start-ups today and Start-ups are getting record investment year after year. He added that the sector is progressing very fast and its reach has increased even in small towns of



the country. He spoke about Unicorns and explained that a Unicorn is a start-up whose valuation is at least one Billion Dollars, that is more than about seven thousand crore rupees.

The Prime Minister said Indian youth is also contributing to the solution of global problems through start-ups. He spoke to Mayur Patil, who along with his friends, have tried to put forward a solution to the problem of pollution.

Mr Modi said Navy Day and Armed Forces Flag Day are celebrated in December. He added that on the 16 th of December, the country will also celebrate the golden jubilee of the 1971 War. He remembered the country’s Armed Forces and brave hearts.

The Prime Minister talked about the spiritual importance of Vrindavan. He said Vrindavan is a tangible manifestation of God’s love and it has been attracting people from all over the world.

Mr Modi also pointed out that Australia shares a bond with Jhansi, Bundelkhand. When the Queen of Jhansi, Laxmibai was fighting a legal battle against the East India Company, her lawyer was originally a resident of Australia named John Lang. Prime Minister said that valour can be shown by anyone. He mentioned a letter he received from Jyotsna who wrote to him about a traditional river in Jalaun - Noon River. Noon used to be the main source of water for the farmers, but gradually reached the verge of extinction. Mr Modi said the people of Jalaun took an initiative and formed a committee in March this year. 

Thousands of villagers and local people spontaneously volunteered and in a very short time and at a very low cost, the river came back to life again. Prime Minister stressed how everything becomes possible when ‘Sabka Prayas is involved.

Mr Modi stated that when Nature is conserved, Nature in return gives protection and security. He cited the example of Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu where many small islands and islets were increasingly in danger of submerging in the sea. The people and the experts found the mitigation from this natural disaster through nature itself.

Lauding the initiative, the Prime Minister said nature poses a threat only when her balance is disturbed. He also gave the example of Meghalaya where river water is so crystal clear that boats appear to float on the river.

The Prime Minister spoke to two persons who got their treatment done with the help of Ayushman Bharat scheme. Rajesh Kumar Prajapati had an ailment of the heart. He recounted how he came to learn about the Scheme and how it helped minimise his expenses.

In his conversation with the other beneficiary, Sukhdevi who had a knee problem, the Prime Minister said Ayushman Bharat scheme envisages to give the gift of good health to everyone.

The Prime Minister said the death anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar will be observed on 6th December. He said Baba Saheb had devoted his entire life in rendering his duties for the country and society.  

The Prime Minister cautioned people that COVID has not gone yet. He said it is the responsibility of everyone to take all precautions to curb the spread of COVID.