Mann ki Baat: PM's focus on Khadi, start-ups as job creators

Modi urges people's support to ensure at least 50% of country's farmers subscribe to PM's crop insurance scheme

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his monthly radio broadcast 'Mann ki Baat', today talked about how his campaign of 'Start-Up India' and his appeal for increased use of Khadi would generate opportunities and jobs. As part of his government's continued push towards farmer-friendly policies, Modi sought help from people at large to ensure that at least 50 per cent of all farmers in the country should subscribe to the PM's crop insurance scheme.

In what was his first 'Mann ki Baat' of 2016, the PM's focus was clearly on showcasing his government's farmer and youth friendly policies. He said the youth of the country surprised him by their enthusiastic participation to his 'Start Up India' campaign, launched in early January. Modi said just as he has taken to talk about his cleanliness campaign in his radio broadcasts, he would henceforth also speak equally about the 'Start Up India' campaign. "The Start Up event has broken the myth that it is only about IT (Information Technology). IT is just a small part of it. 'Start ups' will unleash a multitude of opportunities," he said, recounting 'start-ups' that have come up in diverse fields.

The PM said his appeal for encouraging the use of Khadi by government departments is all set to create 18 lakh man days of work. He said Khadi could give employment to millions, particularly farmers. "Earlier, Khadi was used by government departments but this changed over the years leading to unemployment among Khadi weavers," the PM said. He said now several government departments, like the Indian Navy and Indian Railways have encouraged the use of Khadi that would lead to potentially more work.

The PM quoted from the writings of Sardar Vallabbhai Patel on how the welfare of the farmers of India was in Khadi. "Bapu (Gandhi) espoused the cause of the farmers. I have also stressed on use of technology in the making of Khadi. Khadi has become a symbol...even the youth are now attracted to the fabric. Khadi is carving its place in the market," he said.

Modi said people across the country paid their respects to Mahatma Gandhi and other martyrs by observing silence for two minutes at 11am on Saturday, the martyrdom day of the father of the nation. "But there might be several who didn't. It (observing the two minute silence) should become part of our national culture. It should become the responsibility of each of us. Such efforts strengthen the sense of nationhood," he said.

He also explained the advantages of the PM's crop insurance scheme. He said the rate of premium was a mere 1.5 per cent for Rabi and 2 per cent for Kharif crops and how farmers would benefit if their crop is damaged because of any natural calamity. He said much is said in the name of farmers, but his government launched the crop insurance scheme.

The PM lauded the state governments of Haryana and Gujarat for celebrating the Republic Day by asking the most educated woman of their villages to hoist the national flag in village schools. He said the poor sex ratio of Haryana has been a matter of concern, but the heartening bit was that attitudes towards the girl child were changing, more girl children were taking birth in that state. Modi said he had raised the issue of Haryana's abysmal sex ratio during his public rallies in the state. "I accomplished this in Haryana, despite officials cautioning me about the negative atmosphere in the state on this issue," he said.

He also said the campaign to beautify railway stations by wall paintings, which in many instances depict local art traditions, is welcome. The PM said why only railway stations, such art with the help of common people should beautify hospitals, schools, temples, churches and mosques.