Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation in this year’s first show of the Mann Ki Baat radio programme and talked about the women achievers as he said that nothing is impossible for women if they have a strong will.

In the 40th edition of “Mann Ki Baat”, the prime minister remembered astronaut Kalpana Chawla ahead of her death anniversary on February 1 and said that she gave out a valuable message to all Indians, especially young girls.

“…Her message is, ‘Nothing is impossible for women, if they have a strong will’,” he said.

Emphasising that women in India are progressing in every field and have amazed the entire world, Modi said several verses of the Holy Vedas were composed by the women.

“Let me tell you that one daughter is equal to 10 sons… The punya (good) we get from 10 sons, we get that from one daughter…,” said PM Modi.

PM Modi, while addressing the show, informed that the selection process for picking Padma award winners has been transformed under his government, asserting that more significance has now been given to the nominee’s work than name.

He highlighted works of some winners whose names were announced on the eve of Republic Day, and said common people, who are not living in big cities and not seen in newspapers and TV, have received it.

Here are the highlights:

– This is the first episode of Mann Ki Baat in the year 2018. Just a few days ago, we celebrated our Republic Day with great fervour. This is the first time in history that heads of 10 Nations attended the ceremony: PM Modi.

-PM Modi said a citizen Prakash Tripathi wrote on the NM App: “1st February is the death anniversary of Kalpana Chawla. She left us in the Columbia space shuttle mishap, but not without becoming a source of inspiration for millions of young people the world over.”

-Kalpana Chawla inspired all of us, says PM Modi. It is our culture to respect women, he says.

-Social media is talking about the team of Border Security Forces’ (BSF) women personnel who presented a spectacular display of their power by performing daredevil stunts on motorcycles during the Republic Day parade: PM Modi.

-This (Dantewada in Chhattisgarh) is a Maoist-affected area but the women there are operating e-rickshaws. This is creating opportunities; it is also changing the face of the region and is also environment friendly:  he said.

-He hailed the Bihar’s move of forming a human chain to spread awareness about evils of dowry and child marriage.

-Darshan from Mysore, Karnataka, has written on My Gov app that he was undergoing an expenditure of Rs 6,000 a month on medicines for the treatment of his father. Earlier, he wasn’t aware of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana. But now that he’s come to know of the Jan Aushadhi Kendra, he has begun purchasing medicines from there and expenses have been reduced by about 75%. He has expressed that I mention this in Mann Ki Baat, so that it reaches the maximum number of people and they can benefit: PM Modi

-There’s now transparency in Padma awards. Anyone can nominate names and a common man can also be cited for Padma awards without any recommendations, said the prime minister.

-You must have heard name of Arvind Gupta ji who was conferred with Padma Shree award. He spent all his life creating toys for children from waste. We have honoured those who may not be seen in big cities but have done transformative work for society: PM Modi

-On 30th January, we observe the Punya Tithi (death anniversary) of Bapu (Mahatma Gandhi). Peace and non-violence is what Bapu taught us. His ideals are extremely relevant today.