Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday stressed the need for conservation of energy to check global warming and promotion of solar energy as well as use of solar lanterns. Mr. Modi’s statement comes ahead of the 2015 ‘UN Climate Change Conference’ in Paris from November 30 to December 11. “The world is concerned about climate change. Earth’s temperature should not further increase; this is the responsibility of everyone,” he said in his 14th ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio address to the nation.
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“The best way to make sure that earth’s temperature does not increase further is energy conservation. December 14 is ‘National Energy Conservation Day’ The government is implementing a lot of schemes. The government is also offering a scheme on LED bulbs. I once said that street lights should be turned off on full moon days and everyone should bask in the moonlight,” Mr. Modi said.
'Intolerance' debate
Amid the ‘intolerance’ debate, the Prime Minister said that he proposes to put in place ‘Ek Bharat, Shresht Bharat’ scheme aimed at strengthening the country’s unity and harmony and invited suggestions in this regard.
“Internal vigilance is the prize of liberty. Unity of the nation - this culture should continue... On the occasion of Sardar Patel’s anniversary on October 31, I had talked about ‘Ek Bharat, Shresht Bharat (One India, Supreme India)’.. I want to give ‘Ek Bharat, Shresht Bharat’ the shape of a scheme,” he said.
He asked people to give suggestions on the portal MyGov.com as to what should be its structure, the logo and how to increase public participation in it. “It is expected to be a very specific scheme. Apply your creative mind and give suggestions as to how to connect each and every Indian with the mantra of unity and harmony and ‘Ek Bharat, Shresht Bharat’,” the Prime Minister said.
He said suggestions should be with regard to what kind of scheme it should be, the kind of programme under it and what should the government, the society and the civil society do.
“It should be full of life and a prestigious scheme and connect everybody in an easy manner,” Mr. Modi said.
His proposal to bring out a scheme to enrich the culture of unity and harmony assumes significance against the >backdrop of allegations by some sections that ‘intolerance’ is growing and that the government is doing nothing about it.
On TN floods
Mr. Modi assured aid to Tamil Nadu for the >widespread damage due to torrential rains and floods . “Our government assures full help to Tamil Nadu,” he said in his Mann Ki Baat radio address. Rains lashed four districts in Tamil Nadu — Cuddalore, Chennai, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram — during the last couple of weeks, killing about 180 people. During his radio address, Mr. Modi said: “I have full faith in Tamil Nadu. It will rise... Central government teams are already deployed there.”
Pitch for social work
Mr. Modi also urged people to contribute to nation-building by doing social work. Citing examples of social work done by people across the country, Mr. Modi said: “We should identify them and join them in becoming a social work preacher.”
He talked about Jamuna Mani Singh, a social worker in Odisha who helped the people of a malaria-infested-village to fight the deadly disease.
