Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted community-led environmental conservation efforts, organic farming and the revival of traditional skills and scientific advances in healthcare and brain research, as he marked 12 years of Mann Ki Baat.
He also urged people to prioritise products made by local artisans during the festive season, saying it would provide a boost to “Vocal for Local” initiative and help realise the goal of an “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India).
“There has been an ancient tradition of pilgrimage in our country. Turning to traditional skills, the PM highlighted the work of non-profit Kheti Virasat Mission in the Malwa region of Punjab, where its Nav-Trinjan initiative promotes organic cotton cultivation, including naturally coloured cotton that does not require chemical dyes. The initiative has also set up a weaving school to pass the craft to younger generations and help women earn livelihoods. He cited the examples of women who had moved from agricultural labour and domestic work to weaving shawls, towels and other textiles. Highlighting efforts to revive millet cultivation in the Northeastern states , he cited two women in Meghalaya ’s Khanduli village who developed cookies, cakes, muffins and baby food from millets, increasing demand for the crop. He also cited efforts to revive the Heval river in Tehri Garhwal region of Uttarakhand , where declining water levels and drying natural springs had prompted villagers and the local administration to work together. “Measures were undertaken to capture rainwater, facilitate groundwater recharge and plant a large number of trees. He pointed to the tribal community’s initiative Shabari Naturals in Maharashtra, where tribal products such as honey, mahua, chironji and bamboo goods are sold in packaging inspired by tribal art.
In Nagaland’s Kezoma, cultivation resumed in 2024 after more than a decade, followed by the village’s first millet festival in 2025, the PM said. Modi added that sales of Khadi Gram Udyog products exceeded ₹ 28 crore in a single day on Gandhi Jayanti , ₹ 1.5 crore more than the previous year. Today, due to these efforts, the Heval river has been revitalised and simultaneously dozens of natural water sources have received help in their restoration,” Modi said.
In the 139th episode, Modi described his monthly radio programme as a “pilgrimage” to understand people’s efforts and salute their contribution. He said it had brought to the fore individuals whose work often went unnoticed and offered an opportunity to salute the “collective strength of the people”. For me, Mann Ki Baat is no less than a pilgrimage to closely learn about the efforts of the people of the country and to bow down to their contributions,” he said. One trainee, Rekha Rani, had never seen a handloom before her training, he said, adding that a shawl woven by her had been presented to President Droupadi Murmu. The packaging has received Japan’s Good Design Award, he said. He urged people to “prioritise products made by local artisans” during the festive season.
