PM Narendra Modi on Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha sent to Vietnam

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spoke on a host of issues during the 123rd episode of his monthly radio programme 'Mann ki Baat'. He touched on various subjects--from women's empowerment, environmental consciousness, and celebrations of the International Day of Yoga to the sacred relics of Lord Buddha sent to Vietnam from India, among others.

PM Modi expressed deep appreciation for the heartfelt messages he received from Vietnam, thanking India for enabling the 'darshan' of the sacred relics of Lord Buddha. He called the experience a "heartwarming feeling", underlining the spiritual connection shared by the people of the two countries through the teachings of the Buddha.

Speaking during the 'Mann ki Baat' programme, the Prime Minister said, "During the last few days, many people from Vietnam sent me their messages through various mediums. There was reverence and affability in every line of these messages. Their feelings were heartwarming. They were expressing their gratitude to India for enabling the darshan of the holy relics of Bhagwan Buddha. The emotions in their words were more than any formal thanks."

The sacred relics, originally discovered at Nagarjunakonda in the Palnadu district of Andhra Pradesh – a site with a deep-rooted connection to Buddhism – were taken to Vietnam on May 2 by an Indian delegation led by Union Minister for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju.

Growing environmental consciousness

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday praised the growing environmental consciousness across the country, highlighting individual and community-led efforts to protect nature and promote sustainability.

Speaking in the 123rd episode of 'Mann ki Baat', PM Modi said that several inspiring initiatives were shared with him on the occasion of World Environment Day, reflecting a rising spirit of environmental responsibility among citizens.

"This month, we all celebrated World Environment Day. I received thousands of your messages. Many people told me about those friends who had set out alone to save the environment, and then the whole society joined them. This contribution of everyone is becoming a great strength for our earth," PM Modi said.

He shared the inspiring story of Ramesh Kharmale from Pune.

"When people take rest at the end of the week, Ramesh Kharmale and his family set out with a pickaxe and a spade. Do you know where to? Towards the hills of Junnar. Be it sunshine or a steep climb, their ascent does not stop. They clear bushes, dig trenches to retain water and sow seeds. They dug 70 trenches in just two months," he said.

"Ramesh Kharmale has made many small ponds and planted hundreds of trees. He is also getting an Oxygen Park built. The result is that birds have started returning here, and wildlife is getting a new breath," he added.

The Prime Minister also lauded a large-scale campaign in Gujarat.

"Another beautiful initiative for the environment has been seen in Ahmedabad city. Here, the municipal corporation has started the 'Mission for Million Trees' campaign. The target is to plant lakhs of trees. A special aspect of this campaign is 'Sindoor Van'. This forest is dedicated to the bravehearts of Operation Sindoor. Sindoor saplings are being planted in the memory of those brave people who have sacrificed everything for the country," he said.

He highlighted the growing success of the national campaign 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam', which aims to link personal emotion with environmental responsibility.

"Another campaign is being given a new impetus -- 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam'. Under this campaign, crores of trees have been planted in the country. You, too, must take part in such campaigns going on in your village or city. Plant trees, save water, serve the earth, because when we save nature, we actually protect our future generations," PM Modi urged.

He further cited the example of Patoda village in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar district in Maharashtra, which has embraced an eco-friendly lifestyle.

"This is a carbon-neutral village panchayat. In this village, no one throws garbage outside their house. There is a complete system for collecting garbage from every house. Here, dirty water is also treated. No water goes into the river without being cleaned," he said.

Women empowerment

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hailed the transformative role of women across India who are leading change through Self-Help Groups (SHGs), preserving heritage and shaping a new future for the nation.

Speaking during his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi underlined how initiatives led by women are giving new strength to the 'Women-Led Development' movement.

"Just as our India is known for its regional, linguistic and cultural diversity, the diversity of arts, crafts and skills is also a great quality of our country," PM Modi said. "Whichever area you visit, you will get to know about some local specialities. We often talk about such unique products of the country in Mann Ki Baat."

Referring to one such product, the Prime Minister highlighted Meghalaya's traditional Eri silk, which recently received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

PM Modi also shared stories from Telangana and Karnataka that reflect the impact of women-led economic initiatives.

"You will feel proud knowing the success story of the women of Bhadrachalam in Telangana. These women, once working as labourers, are now making biscuits from millets – Shree Anna. Their biscuits, named 'Bhadradri Millet Magic', are reaching markets from Hyderabad to London," he said.

"These women joined an SHG and received training. They also started producing Giri Sanitary Pads. In just three months, they prepared 40,000 pads and supplied them to schools and offices at low cost," he said.

The Prime Minister also praised the women of Kalaburgi in Karnataka for branding traditional jowar rotis.

"The aroma of these rotis is no longer limited to their village. A special counter has been opened in Bengaluru, and online orders are coming in. Kalaburgi roti is now reaching the kitchens of big cities. This is not just a culinary story – it is a story of increasing incomes and empowered lives," he added.

PM Modi also emphasised that women across the country are not only scripting their own success stories but also reshaping the nation's development landscape.

"The mantra of Women-Led Development is giving India a new direction, a new future. Our mothers, sisters and daughters are today changing not only their own lives but also that of the society at large," he said.

PM Modi also mentioned Suma Uike from Balaghat district, Madhya Pradesh – a woman who has risen to self-reliance through mushroom farming, animal husbandry, and community entrepreneurship.

The Prime Minister lauded her journey from joining a self-help group in Katangi block to eventually running a Didi Canteen and a Thermal Therapy Centre.

“This is the glow of self-confidence, of self-reliance. One such face is Suma Uike from Madhya Pradesh. Sumaji's efforts are very commendable. She took training in mushroom farming and animal husbandry by joining the Self Help Group in Katangi block of Balaghat district. Thus, she found her path to self-reliance,” PM Modi said.

Celebrations of International Day of Yoga 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday praised the nationwide and global celebrations of the International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025, calling them a grand and meaningful expression of peace, stability and balance.

Addressing the 123rd episode of his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat', PM Modi said Yoga has become an integral part of people's lives, both in India and across the world.

"All of you right now must be feeling the energy of Yoga and the memories of the International Day of Yoga. This year, too, on June 21, millions across the country and the world participated in Yoga Day. You must remember that it all began 10 years ago, and every year this tradition is becoming grander than before. This indicates that more and more people are incorporating Yoga into their daily lives," he said.

The Prime Minister applauded the global observance of Yoga Day, noting that cities such as New York, London, Tokyo, and Paris hosted large-scale events.

"Every picture of Yoga Day from around the world conveyed a special message of peace, stability and balance," he said.

PM Modi also emphasised the significance of this year's theme – Yoga For One Earth, One Health – calling it a guiding principle that echoes the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, or "the world is one family".

Expressing confidence in the impact of this year's celebrations, the Prime Minister said, "The grandeur of this year's IDY will encourage more and more people to adopt Yoga into their daily lives."

'Emergency imposers murdered the Constitution.'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a scathing attack on those who imposed the Emergency in 1975, saying it was not just a "murder of the Constitution" but also an attempt to turn the judiciary into a "slave". In his monthly radio programme 'Mann ki Baat', PM Modi urged the nation to remember the resilience of those who resisted the Emergency and to draw inspiration from their courage to safeguard the Constitution.

"Those who imposed the Emergency not only murdered our Constitution but also had the intention to keep the judiciary as their slave," PM Modi said, referring to the 21 months of Emergency declared by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on June 25, 1975.

He reminded citizens that the Emergency era was marked by widespread abuse of power and suppression of civil liberties.

Recounting the observance of 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' – commemorated every year on June 25 to mark the imposition of the Emergency – PM Modi said, "During that time, inhumane atrocities were inflicted on our people."

Highlighting the power of public resistance, the Prime Minister said, "With the power of public participation, big crises can be confronted," and played archival audio of former Prime Minister Morarji Desai to illustrate the extent of the Emergency's impact.

In the clip, Desai is heard saying, "The oppression had started 5–7 years before but reached its peak during the Emergency. People's right to freedom was snatched away, newspapers lost their independence, and the courts were rendered powerless. Over one lakh people were jailed. Such an arbitrary rule is hard to find even in global history."

 PM Modi said Desai's words reflected the severity of the crisis, describing the period as one where "people were tormented on a large scale."

He noted that figures like George Fernandes were "tied in chains", while many others faced brutal torture.

"Under the MISA (Maintenance of Internal Security Act), anyone could be arrested without warning. Students were harassed, and freedom of expression was silenced," PM Modi added.

'Best wishes to devotees going on Yatras'

In his monthly radio show, 'Mann Ki Baat', on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended heartfelt wishes to devotees embarking on various religious yatras across the country.

He also lauded those who, with a selfless spirit of service, contribute to the smooth and safe conduct of these spiritual journeys.

"When one embarks on a pilgrimage, the first feeling that arises is, 'Let's go; we have been called!'" This emotion is the soul of our pilgrimage. These pilgrimages are a means of discipline of the body, purification of the heart, mutual love and brotherhood and a means to connect with God," the Prime Minister said.

He added that beyond personal spiritual fulfilment, pilgrimages also represent collective service.

"There is another significant aspect to these journeys. These pilgrimages are also a great ritual of opportunities for service. Whenever a pilgrimage takes place, more people engage in serving the pilgrims than those who go on the pilgrimage. Everywhere, free community kitchens and food stalls are organised, people arrange for drinking water alongside the roads with a spirit of service, medical camps and facilities are set up, and many people even arrange lodging and rest houses for pilgrims," he said.

PM Modi expressed joy over the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra after a long gap.

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