Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s fondness and admiration for Tamil culture and language have been evident throughout the 100 episodes of Mann Ki Baat. Tamil Nadu is the state that have found the highest mentions in the radio address of the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has used his Mann Ki Baat platform to enlighten the citizens of India about the profundity of Tamil literature and language.
PM Modi has expressed his deep appreciation for Tamil culture and language, proudly emphasizing that every Indian should take pride in the fact that the world’s oldest language hails from their nation. He has emphasized this fact not just on his Mann Ki Baat but in several stages that he has spoken including the United Nations General Assembly.
He has shared his regret for not having learned Tamil, a language he deems beautiful and world-renowned.
Throughout the episodes, PM Modi has shared various examples illustrating the impact and contributions of Tamil people.
Mann Ki Baat has showcased collective efforts in Tamil Nadu, such as the 20,000 women who united to revive the Nag river in Vellore, and the planting of Palmyra trees in Thoothukudi district to mitigate cyclones and protect the soil.
PM Modi also spoke of Taimmal ji from Trippur district, who generously donated money to refurbish school infrastructure.
He has highlighted the universal appeal of Thirukkural, an iconic Tamil text that serves as a life guide.
Through Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi continuously promotes Tamil culture and language, displaying its richness and inspiring others to appreciate and delve into its depth and splendour.
Here are some of the instances:
– PM lauds the state of Tamil Nadu for its efforts towards the promotion of organ donation by stating that, Tamil Nadu is number one in the field of organ donation.
– PM acknowledged the losses to the state of Tamil Nadu as a result of natural calamities. He reposed his full faith in the potential of the state to rise again.
– Suchitra Raghavachari from Chennai sent the topics of Save our daughters, Swachh Bharat, and others and urged the PM to speak on these. Acknowledging this, the PM asked citizens to send him suggestions of various topics for his address on 15th August.
– PM appreciated the efforts of the citizens in Cuddalore, in Tamil Nadu who tried to prevent over 175 child marriages and have opened about 55-60 thousand accounts for girls under Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana.
– India has been a land of various cultures and celebrations. Through the same, the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam was celebrated and, on this occasion, we are celebrating the Saurashtra-Tamil Sangamam.
– A snippet of India’s democratic traditions can be understood through the inscription found at ‘Uttiramerur’ in Tamil Nadu that describes the entire procedure of the Gram Sabha.
– The entire credit for Vedanthangal of Tamil Nadu to be designated as a Ramsar Site goes to the farmers of Tamil Nadu who enabled the conservation of birds in the region.
– The year 2022 will always be remembered as a year of furthering “Ek Bharat, Shreshta Bharat”. Events such as the Madhavpur Mela in Gujarat and the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam are a testimony to this.
– With the increasing relevance of eco-friendly living, a group of tribal women from Anaikatti village, Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu have created end to end terracotta cups for exports which is a tremendous achievement.
– Vanchi Maniyachchi Junction in Thoothukudi is named after a freedom fighter Vanchi, who at the age of 25 had punished a British Collector for his actions.
– One of the initiatives named ‘Tharagaigal Kaivinai Porutkal Virpanai Angadi’ has about 22 SHG’s associated with them enabling the opening of stores and kiosks in Thanjavur giving a big boost to self-reliant India. They also gifted the PM with a Thanjavur doll which has a GI Tag.
– Everyday new products from India are reaching foreign shores, including the bananas from Tamil Nadu.
– India has been able to bring back an invaluable part of India’s heritage. The idol of Lord Anjaneyaar, Hanuman which was stolen from Vellore was retrieved from Australia
– On the 75th year of India’s independence we can have Gujarati children sing Tamil patriotic songs, enabling the idea of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat”.
– The diversity of languages in India is a source of pride and is integrated into a harmonious expression. Indians should embrace their mother tongue and appreciate the richness of their linguistic heritage, including ancient scriptures written in Sanskrit and the world’s oldest language, Tamil.
– The story of Taimmal ji from Udumalpet from Tiruppur district is very inspiring. She donated 1 lakh Rupees from the sales of coconuts to improve the infrastructure of the local school.
– Shaurya Chakra, Group Captain Varun Singh was a Braveheart who lost his life in the helicopter accident that also claimed the life of CDS Bipin Singh Rawat, his wife, and other Bravehearts in Tamil Nadu.
– Conservation of nature promotes our security in return. The people of Thoothukudi have started Palmyra trees that stand firm during cyclones and storms enabling protection.
– Social efforts in cleansing of rivers is of utmost importance. Here, we can take the example of the womenfolk of the Vellore and Thirvannamalai districts in cleansing the Naagnadi river which had dried up completely.
– A team of divyangjans including Major Dwarkesh from Tamil Nadu hoisted a flag at 15,000 feet in the inaccessible region of the Siachen Glacier, showcasing high levels of determination.
– Kanjirangal Panchayat of Sivagangai district has achieved the production of electricity through garbage wastes. The residual elements of the same is sold as pesticides and the revenue generated through the same is used for other developmental works.
– Radhika Shastriji started the Amburex Project with help from her colleagues to promote easy transport for patients requiring medical treatment in the hilly areas.
– R. Guruprasad ji from Chennai in Tamil Nadu, compiled all references made by PM on Tamil Nadu. On listening to this PM reverted by stating that he was a big admirer of the Tamil language and culture which is among the oldest in the world.
– PM paid homage to the 14 people working in the light houses of Tamil Nadu and Andaman and Nicobar who lost their lives during the Tsunami in 2004.
– Local people in Thriuvannamalai are running a campaign to conserve wells in the vicinity and their rejuvenation.
– Kamrajbhai Chowdhury from Patan Dsitrict in Gujarat has developed home made Drumsticks or Moringa seeds and is now also exporting it to Tamil Nadu.
– Pilgrimage in India serves as a common thread that binds people. From Tripura to Gujarat and from Kashmir to Tamil Nadu we have several pilgrimage sites.
– In Tamil Nadu, VilluPaatu is a very fascinating style of describing local folklores and tales.
– Tamil Nadu Banana Farmer Producer Company is a farmer’s collective from the Theni District of Tamil Nadu and has provided fruit and vegetable combo kits to the city of Chennai during the lockdown.
– Thanjavur toys in Tamil Nadu have a rich tradition and heritage.
– The game ‘Pachisi’ which has a rich tradition is being played as ‘Pallanguli’ in Tamil Nadu.
– KC Mohan who runs a salon in Madurai, Tamil Nadu spent five lahs in the service of the poor and the underprivileged during Covid that he had saved for his daughter’s education.
– The Ayushman Bharat Scheme intends to provide the same medical treatment facilities to a deprived in Maharashtra as well as Tamil Nadu.
– The repertoire of the ‘HunarHaat’ in Delhi also consisted of beautiful paintings from Tamil Nadu.
– PM quoted Tamil poetess, Avvaiyar, who says that what we know is only a grain of sand, and what we do not is like a universe itself.
– PM mentions that the idea of harnessing rainwater harvesting using borewells orginated from Tamil Nadu.
– PM mentioned Yoganathan from Tamil Nadu who sells Beedis but his daughter Purnashree has bagged the gold medal in weightlifting.
– PM mentioned Pushkaramwhich is a festival in Tamil Nadu on river Tamarabarani in which the greatness of the river, the glory of the river, the importance of the river in our lives…all these are brought forth naturally.
– ThiruEzilon a farmer from Kancheepuram, basically benefitted from PM Kusum Yojana and now has solar pumps installed in the farm which provides electricity. No separate funds are being used now to procure electricity.
(With inputs from PIB)
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