Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday reiterated his appeal for a “New India” and called upon the people to perform their duties as responsible citizens. This was Modi’s first address on his Mann ki Baat radio programme since the Bharatiya Janata Party won the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand and formed governments in Goa and Manipur.

Modi asserted that “New India” was neither a government project nor a political party’s manifesto. “It is the joint call and desire of 125 crore Indians to transform India...It manifests the strength of each and every Indian, who will together create a bhavya [grand] and divya [brilliant] Bharat,” he said on his monthly radio show.

Advertisement

The prime minister also lauded the people for opting for more cashless transactions, adding that more than 1.5 crore people had downloaded the Bhim app in the past few months. “People of India have rejected corruption and black money,” he said.

Modi also spoke about a number of other subjects, ranging from the Swachh Bharat campaign to the recently-passed Maternity Bill. He said dirt in public places now angered Indians, and that it was “a welcome sign”. The prime minister added that by increasing maternity leave to 26 weeks, the Centre wanted to ensure proper care of newborns.

He also touched upon the subject of depression, saying it can be overcome by encouraging those suffering from it to speak and share their burden. His remarks came ahead of World Health Day, observed on April 7. “Suppression of depression is not good. Expression is always good,” he said. He also urged citizens to promote yoga.

Further on his Mann ki Baat address, Modi extended his greetings to Bangladesh on the country’s Independence Day. He said India stands “shoulder to shoulder with Bangladesh”, and the two nations will continue to work together for peace and security in the region.