New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the ‘Gaganyaan’ Mission in his first Mann Ki Baat of the new year and the new decade.
He said as India celebrates its 75th year of Independence in 2022 the country has to fulfil “the pledge to take an Indian into the space through the ‘Gaganyaan’ mission.”
“Gaganyaan mission will be a historic achievement in the field of science and technology for India in the 21st century. It will prove to be a milestone for New India”, he said and praised the four pilots of the Indian Airforce who have been selected as astronauts for the mission and their forthcoming training in Russia.
“These promising youngsters symbolise India’s skill, talent, ability, courage and dreams. Our four friends are about to go to Russia in a few days for their training. I am confident that this would script another golden chapter in India-Russia friendship and cooperation”, said the PM adding that after their training for over a year, they would shoulder the responsibility of carrying the hopes and aspirations of the nation and soaring into space.
He said, “On the auspicious occasion of Republic Day, I congratulate these four youngsters and the Indian and Russian scientists and engineers associated with this mission.”
PM further said Jal Shakti Campaign is taking rapid, successful strides with the aid of public participation. He shared few extensive & innovative water conservation efforts under way, in every corner of the country.
Mentioning about Jalore district in Rajasthan He said, “There, two historical step wells had turned into storehouses of garbage & dirty water. But one fine day, hundreds of people from Bhadraayun & Thanawala Panchayats took a resolve to rejuvenate them, under the Jal Shakti Campaign. Much before the rains, people immersed themselves in the task of cleaning out the accumulated filthy water, garbage and morass. For this campaign, some donated money; others their labour & sweat. As a result, these step wells have turned into their lifelines now”.
Similarly Saraahi Lake in Barabanki Uttar Pradesh, was brought to life by the collective efforts of Villagers. Another example of Public participation is Village Suniyakot along the Almora-Haldwani Highway in Uttarakhand. Here villagers took it upon themselves to ensure that water reached their village. People raised money, donated labour. A pipe was laid upto the village and a pumping station was set up. Thus decade old problem of water crisis was solved.
PM urged everyone to share their stories of such endeavours of water conservation and water harvesting by using #Jalshakti4India. Jal Shakti Abhiyan – a campaign for water conservation and water security commenced last monsoon in July, 2019. The campaign focussed on water stressed districts and blocks.
