Spirit of 'self-confidence' and 'self-reliance' need to maintain in 2024: PM Modi in Mann Ki Baat

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that India is brimming with 'self-confidence' and 'self-reliance' and this spirit needs to be maintained in 2024 as well.

Addressing the 108th episode of Mann Ki Baat he reminded the citizens of the numerous achievements of the country in 2023.

"India is brimming with self-confidence, imbued with the spirit of a developed India; the spirit of self-reliance. We have to maintain the same spirit and momentum in 2024 as well", Modi said.

The Prime Minister said, 2024 is just a few hours away. India's achievements are the achievements of every Indian. We have to continuously work for the development of India keeping in mind the Panch Pran."

Recounting the achievements in 2023, he said this year "Nari Shakti Vandan Act" was passed which is one of such major steps that will empower our Nari Shakti.

"This is just a glimpse of how effective India's potential is and we have to take inspiration from these successes of the country" the PM added.

Modi said in 2015 we were ranked at 81st position in Global Innovation Index - today our rank is 40th.

"This year the number of patents filed in India was very high, of which 60 percent were from domestic funds, he said, adding that India becoming an 'innovation hub' is a symbol of the fact that we are not going to stop".

The PM pointed out how innovative technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI), has brought about convenience in different sectors of society.

He recalled the Kashi-Tamil Sangmam event, where the indigenous AI-powered Bhashini app ensured proper translation of his words from Hindi to Tamil with ease.

Modi added that such technology would bring ease of functioning in different sectors including judiciary and education, once it is implemented there.

"I urge the youths to explore AI tools related to real-time translation and make them 100 per cent foolproof," he said.

Over the achievement in Sports, the Prime Minister said “This year, our athletes have also performed outstandingly in sports. Our athletes won 107 medals in the Asian Games and 111 medals in the Asian Para Games.

Modi said in the Cricket World Cup, Indian players won everyone's hearts with their performance...Now, Paris Olympics will be organised in 2024 for which the entire nation is encouraging athletes".

He also spoke about how he still receives congratulatory messages on ISRO's Chandrayaan success. "Even today, people send messages congratulating me for the success of Chandrayaan-3. I am sure, just like me, you would be proud of our scientists, especially our women scientists," the PM said.

Lauding the nation's response to the Fit India movement, Modi discussed the importance of mental health along with physical fitness.

During the programme, he also shared the experiences of grandmaster Vishwanathan Anand about his fitness routine and talked about the importance of at least seven to eight hours of sleep in remaining composed and mentally fit during the day.

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar also said it is essential to follow a proper diet to remain physically healthy.

The Prime Minister said, "Today there is a lot of discussion about physical health and well-being, but another important aspect related to it is that of mental health.

He also appealed to people to write to him about innovation health care start-up to realise the dream of Fit India.

"I would urge all of you to keep writing to me about innovative health care startups towards realizing the dream of Fit India. I also want to share with you the experiences of well-known people who talk about physical and mental health" Modi said. (UNI)