Mann Ki Baat: Crop insurance, Khadi and 6 other things PM Modi spoke about

Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his 16th Mann Ki Baat at 11 pm on 31 January 2016 with a reflection on the power of silence.

"If the entire nation observes silence every 30th January at 11 am, you can imagine the energy that single moment will generate." These comments were made in reference to the moment of silence observed on Martyr's Day.

On Khadi

For the next few minutes, prime minister spoke about the cultural and historical importance of Khadi in India and highlighted his efforts to promote the fabric.

Modi stated that "Khadi has the power to give livelihood for crores."

He enunciated on the connection between Khadi and solar chakras. "Today, the 'charka' of solar power is running. People are writing to me about this solar 'charka'. They write to me telling me how solar power has changed their lives," he said.

On Republic Day

Next, Modi congratulated government schools in Gujarat and Haryana for inviting the most educated girl in the village to hoist the flag on the Republic Day. He claimed that these states gave "an excellent example of our Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao."

On Crop Insurance Scheme

He went on to make an appeal to the nation, to help him integrate at least 50 per cent of the farmers in the Crop Insurance Scheme in the next two years. The called the Crop Insurance Scheme the "only one way of providing security to distressed farmers."

He mentioned that the scheme will have a "low" premium and that "provision has been made for compensation even in the case of damage to crops within 15 days of harvest."

Startup initiative

For the next few minutes, Modi spoke about the startup culture in India and stated that government's startup initiative was not restricted to the IT sector but that the opportunities are endless.

Beautification of railways

Next, the prime minister called out to the citizens who were voluntarily beautifying railway stations across India with "graffiti, paintings, attractive & artistic sign boards, things that spread awareness."

"If you have taken such initiative for cleanliness and beautification, you can send me pictures of those initiatives," he informed the public.

On Indian maritime history

He also praised India's "golden" maritime history and announced that an International fleet review 2016 is taking place at India's sea coast. He called it an "endeavour to enhance coordination between the military power of the world and our military power. It's a very big occasion."

On SAARC games

Modi then went on to discuss the SAARC games that will be held in Guwahati this year which will see the attendance of thousands of athletes from across SAARC countries.

On exams

Recalling his talk to students on exams in the previous episode of Mann Ki Baat, the prime minister urged students to share their experiences with him on the "Narendra Modi App."

He also called upon the media to "to share the experiences of the students, so that other students will know how to keep their exams stress- and tension-free."

Concluding his first episode of Mann Ki Baat in 2016, the Prime Minister signed off.