Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asked people to observe a two minutes’ silence on every January 30, the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
“If the entire nation observes silence every January 30 at 11 a.m., you can imagine the energy that a single moment will generate. It should be made a practice,” Mr. Modi said in his first Mann Ki Baat address this year.
Even as he made no specific mention of the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi by Nathuram Godse, seen as a right-wing fanatic, Mr. Modi sought to push khadi to revive Gandhian legacy.
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“Khadi has the power to provide employment to crores of people. It has now become a symbol and a centre of interest of the nation’s youth,” the Prime Minister said.
“Sardar Patel said India’s independence is in khadi, India’s civilisation represents khadi, farmers’ welfare is in khadi,” he said.
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“Due to the efforts of many government organisations in the field of khadi, around 18 lakh people can be granted employment,” he said, calling upon people to have at least one piece of garment made of khadi in their wardrobe.
Girls’ education
Mr. Modi lauded Haryana and Gujarat for their initiative to make educated girls hoist the Tricolour, saying this would give a boost to the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao initiative.
Incidentally, while Haryana has been a laggard in sex ratio, Gujarat’s sex ratio has declined in the last census.
Mr. Modi said he sensed immense energy among youth to set up start-ups, saying start-ups were not just about the IT sector but could involve any sphere of economic activity.