Mann Ki Baat: Indian exports crossing $400 bn filled us with pride, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today exuded pride that India achieved the export target of 400 billion dollars. Addressing the people through his Mann Ki Baat programme on All India Radio, Modi said Made in India products are now reaching new markets in every corner of the world. He pointed out that when Indians become Vocal for Local, the Local becomes Global. He asked people to make the local 'global' and augment the prestige of Indian products further.

The Prime Minister said the demand for items made in India is increasing all over the world. He said it also signifies that the supply chain of India is getting stronger. He highlighted that the exports of leather products from Hailakandi in Assam, handloom products from Osmanabad, fruits and vegetables from Bijapur and black rice from Chandauli are increasing. The world-famous Apricot of Ladakh has reached the markets of Dubai and bananas are being shipped from Tamil Nadu to Saudi Arabia.

The first consignment of millets grown in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand was exported to Denmark. Banganapalli and Subarnarekha mangoes from Krishna and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh are being exported to South Korea. Fresh jackfruits from Tripura were exported to London by air and for the first time, King Chilli from Nagaland was dispatched to London. Similarly, the first consignment of Bhalia wheat was exported from Gujarat to Kenya and Sri Lanka. Prime Minister stated that Made in India products are now more visible than ever before in foreign countries.

Modi stated that the potential of India in this field is great and farmers, artisans, weavers, engineers, small entrepreneurs, MSME sector, are the true strength. He added that it is only due to their hard work that the goal of exporting to the tune of 400 billion dollars has been achieved.=

Prime Minister also said that small entrepreneurs are playing a major role in government procurement through Government e-Market place - GeM. He added that a much transparent system has been developed through technology. During the last one year through the GeM portal, the government has purchased items worth more than one lakh crore rupees.

Close to 1.25 lakh small entrepreneurs, and small shopkeepers from every corner of the country have sold their goods directly to the government. Mr Modi said there was a time when only big companies could sell goods to the government but that is changing now. He said even the smallest of shopkeepers can sell one's goods to the government on the GeM Portal now. He said New India not only dreams big, but also shows the courage to reach that goal.

Prime Minister spoke of Padmashree awardee Baba Sivanand. He said everyone was surprised to see the agility of 126-year-old Baba Sivanand at the Padma Awards. He said the age of 126 years and the fitness of Baba Sivanand are the subject of discussion in the country today. Mr Modi said the life of Baba Sivanand is an inspiration for all people to follow a healthy lifestyle.

Mr Modi said World Health Day will be celebrated on the 7th of April. He emphasised that the collective Indian thought on health, whether it is Yoga or Ayurveda, is increasingly trending all over the world. A Yoga program was organised last week in Qatar where citizens of 114 countries participated and made a new world record.

He said the market of the Ayush Industry is also increasing. Mr Modi said that six years ago, the market for Ayurveda medicines was around 22 thousand crores.

Today, the Ayush Manufacturing Industry is touching around one lakh forty thousand crore rupees. He added that in the Start-up world as well, AYUSH is becoming a subject of attraction.

Prime Minister mentioned a number of Ayush Start-Ups. He spoke about a start-up called Kapiva. This Start-Up is based on healthy eating habits in accordance with Indian traditions. Nirog-Street was another such Start Up mentioned by the Prime Minister which is a unique concept in the Ayurveda Healthcare Ecosystem. Its technology-driven platform connects Ayurveda Doctors from across the world directly to the people.

More than 50 thousand practitioners are associated with it. He also mentioned Atreya Innovations, a healthcare technology start-up, which is working in the field of Holistic Wellness. He said Ixoreal has spread awareness about the use of Ashwagandha and Cureveda has created dietary supplements for holistic life through the confluence of modern herbal research and traditional knowledge.

Modi said such Start ups are a symbol of the young entrepreneurs of India and the new possibilities being created in the country. He requested the Start-Ups of the Health Sector and especially the Ayush Start-Ups that they should try to make the content in their portal in all the languages recognized by the United Nations. He expressed confidence that Ayush Start-Ups from India with better quality products will reign all over the world.

Modi said the number of utensils distributed by Narayanan is going to cross one lakh and he will donate the hundred-thousandth pot to the Sabarmati Ashram established by Mahatma Gandhi. He said this definitely inspires people to make arrangements for water for animals and birds this summer.

The Prime Minister touched upon the topic of water conservation. He asked people to resolve to save every drop of water. He said there must be equal emphasis on recycling of water. The Prime Minister quoted Rahimdas and said - Rahiman paani raakhiye, bin paani sab soon. He expressed happiness that many people have made water conservation a life mission.

He spoke of Arun Krishnamurthy from Chennai who is running a campaign to clean the ponds and lakes in his area. He also spoke of Rohan Kale from Maharashtra who is running a campaign to preserve hundreds of step wells in the state.

Many of these wells are centuries old and are part of India's heritage. Mr Modi said he hails from a state where there has always been a shortage of water. He highlighted the step-wells called Vav in Gujarat. He said Vav have played a big role in a state like Gujarat.

He said the Jal Mandir Scheme played a significant role in the protection of these wells or step wells and several step wells were revived all over Gujarat. This also helped a lot in raising the water level in these areas.

Mr Modi said similar campaigns can be run at the local level. He said at least 75 Amrit Sarovars can be made in every district of the country in the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. He said some old lakes can be rejuvenated and some new ones can be dug. He expressed hope that there will be individual and collective effort in this direction.

The focus is on bringing those girls back to school who had to drop out from their studies for some reason. He urged the listeners of Mann Ki Baat; to visit the places

Modi said that many festivals are approaching and Navratri is only a few days away. He said the festival of Gudi Padwa is celebrated on the very first day of Navratri. He said Easter also comes in April and the holy days of Ramadan are also beginning soon. He hoped that these festivals would strengthen India' diversity.