In his third Mann ki Baat in his second term, PM Narendra Modi said India was preparing for a mega festival on October 2, the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

PM Modi said, “In a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, we will carry our cleanliness drives from homes to schools to colleges. This time we have to focus specifically on plastics. In the Independence Day speech I had specifically said that we must show the same commitment as the crores of Indians who were a part of swachchata abhiyan and making India open defecation free, we have to eliminate single use plastic.”

In his monthly radio broadcast Mann ki Baat, Modi said, “When we celebrate Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th anniversary, we’ll not only be dedicating to him an open defecation free India but also kick-starting a mass movement for making India plastic free. I appeal to all to celebrate this year’s Gandhi Jayanti by freeing Mother India of plastic.”

Remembering Mahatma Gandhi, PM reminded how Gandhi served in South Africa when they were bearing the brunt of apartheid. How he served farmers in Champaran and mill workers when they were being underpaid.

PM stressed about the need for abolishing single use plastic for environment conservation. “We will start a new campaign against plastic usage on Gandhi Jayanti, let’s make Gandhi Jayanti as a special day when we give up on plastic and promote cleanliness,” he said.

In his first episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme after Lok Sabha elections on June 30, Modi discussed various topics such as the Emergency, water crisis and International Yoga Day. He had also urged people to inculcate a habit of reading books regularly.

Talking about his Man vs Wild episode with Bear Grylls, he said, “because of this one episode I have had a chance to get connected to youth all over the globe. I never thought I’ll be able to touch so many youth all over the world.”
“Now when people meet me they talk about wildlife, Discovery Channel is going to run this show in 165 countries in their language. I am sure this episode will present how India is focused for environment and wildlife conservation,” said Modi.