NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that awareness about education is visible at every level in society and mentioned that India is a sacred land of education and knowledge.
Citing an example, the Prime Minister said, Taimmal living in Udumalpet block of Trippur district of Tamil Nadu is very inspiring. “Taimmal ji does not have any land of his own. For years, his family is making a living by selling coconut water. The financial condition may not be good, but Taimmal ji had left no stone unturned to educate his son and daughter. His children studied in Chinnaveerampatti Panchayat Union Middle School. One day in the meeting with the parents in the school, it was raised that the condition of the classrooms and school should be improved; the school infrastructure should be fixed. Taimmal ji was also in that meeting. He heard everything,” said PM Modi while addressing Mann Ki Baat today.
“In the same meeting, the discussion again came to a halt on the paucity of money for these works. After this, no one could have imagined what Taimmal did. Taimmal ji, who had accumulated some capital by selling coconut water, donated one lakh rupees to the school,” the Prime Minister said.
He added, “Indeed, it takes a big heart, a sense of service, to do this. Taimmal ji says that in the school that is there has classes till 8th standard. Now when the infrastructure of the school improves, classes till higher secondary education will be held. This is the same sentiment I was talking about regarding education in our country.”
The Prime Minister said that India has been the sacred land of education and knowledge.
“My dear countrymen, India has been the sacred land of education and knowledge. We have not confined education to bookish knowledge, but have seen it as a holistic experience of life. The great personalities of our country have also had a deep relationship with education,” he said.
The address comes on Martyrs’ Day which is observed on the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi to honour his contribution towards the freedom of the country.
“Mann ki Baat” is the Prime Minister’s monthly radio address, which is broadcast on the last Sunday of every month. The programme will be broadcast on the entire network of AIR and Doordarshan and also on AIR News and mobile app.
The first episode of the programme was broadcast on October 3, 2014.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that India is fighting with great success with the new wave of COVID-19 adding that the cases of the virus have started decreasing, which is a good sign.
“India is fighting with great success with the new wave of COVID-19,” the Prime Minister said while addressing the nation in the 85th edition of ‘Mann ki Baat’ today.
Emphasising on maintaining the pace of economic activities amid the pandemic, the Prime Minister said, “Now the cases of corona infection have also started decreasing – this is a very positive sign. People should be safe, the pace of economic activities of the country should be maintained – this is the wish of every countryman.”
Highlighting the achievements of the country in the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination drive, PM Modi said that so far about four and a half crore children have been administered the dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, which is about 60 per cent of youth in the age group of 15 to 18 years within three to four weeks.
The vaccination drive for this age group commenced on January 3 this year.
The Prime Minister said that the vaccination will “not only protect our youth but will also help them to continue with their studies.”
“Another good thing is that within 20 days, one crore people have taken the precaution dose as well. This trust of our countrymen on the indigenous vaccine is our great strength,” he added.
India on Sunday logged 2,34,281 new COVID-19 cases and 893 deaths. The daily positivity rate is at 14.50 per cent.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 74th death anniversary and said that it is a collective endeavour to further popularise the noble ideals of the father of the nation.
“Remembering Bapu on his Punya Tithi. It is our collective endeavour to further popularise his noble ideals. Today, on Martyrs’ Day, paying homage to all the greats who courageously safeguarded our nation. Their service and bravery will always be remembered,” tweeted Modi.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on Martyrs’ Day and said that ‘Bapu’ instilled the spirit of Swadeshi, Swabhasha and Swaraj in the heart of every Indian.
“Mahatma Gandhi instilled the spirit of Swadeshi, Swabhasha and Swaraj in the heart of every Indian. His thoughts and ideals will always inspire every Indian to serve the nation. Today, on the death anniversary of revered Bapu, I pay tribute to him,” Shah tweeted.
India observes Martyrs’ Day every year on January 30 to mark the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and to honour his contribution towards the freedom of the country.
On January 30, 1948, Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse at Gandhi Smriti in Birla house.
According to the directions of the central government, two minutes of silence is observed in all states and Union Territories on January 30. (ANI)