Ordinary citizens shine bright
In Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi cites examples to inspire change
Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked about ordinary citizens becoming beacons of hope and change, illustrating the examples of Javed Ahmed of Kashmir and Noor Jehan of Kanpur in the latest edition of his Mann Ki Baat radio address on Sunday.
Amidst the raging intolerance debate, Modi also said that he proposes to put in place the ‘Ek Bharat, Shresht Bharat’ (One India, Supreme India) scheme — which aims at strengthening the country’s unity and harmony — and invited suggestions in this regard. The PM had talked about ‘Ek Bharat, Shresht Bharat’ on the occasion of Sardar Patel’s birth anniversary on October 31.
In an apparent bid to illustrate that such citizens come from all sections of society, Modi mentioned two names from the Muslim community for their sterling contributions in changing way the people around them live.
He spoke about Javed Ahmed of Kashmir, who was shot by terrorists in 1996 and suffering spinal injuries, “lost the capacity to stand on his feet again”.
“But he did not accept defeat... He converted this crisis into opportunity to serve the masses and devoted his life to social service. For last 20 years, he has been teaching children,” Modi said.
Modi further illustrated how common people are doing their bit to fight climate change, taking the example of Kanpur’s Noor Jehan, who rents out solar lamps.
These ‘lalteins’ are rented out to about 500 households for `100 each per month, while the charging costs about `3-4 daily, he said, adding that Noor Jehan’s work is in accordance with the meaning of her name — ‘giving light to the world’.
The Prime Minister also urged fellow citizens to come forward in greater numbers to donate organs.