137th Mann Ki Baat: Modi backs drug-free drive

In the 137th episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's weekly address, Mann Ki Baat, he emphasized a website that aids in discovering which rulers governed various regions of India in specific years. The site, named Bharatrajya, allows users to select any year and quickly find the rulers of that period. Modi expressed his interest in the initiative, which was initiated by Mumbai resident Krishna Sheshadri.

He praised the simplicity of the site's name, http://www.bharatrajya.com, and noted its potential to engage history students and make the subject more accessible.

Modi also highlighted the Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat campaign, which aims to foster a drug-free India by encouraging young people to remain drug-free. He called upon citizens to support this endeavor and contribute to building a stronger future for the youth. The campaign is part of the government's Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, launched on August 15, 2020, as a flagship initiative under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction.

The program encompasses awareness creation, community participation, treatment, rehabilitation, aftercare, and social reintegration.

During the broadcast, Modi showcased examples of cleanliness and public participation during this year's Amarnath Yatra. He mentioned that thousands of sanitation workers worked tirelessly during the pilgrimage, leading to the collection and processing of over 400 metric tons of waste. Pilgrims also actively contributed to the cleanliness efforts. Modi reported that more than 16,000 people took a cleanliness pledge, and over 10,000 received the Responsible Yatri Certificate.

The Prime Minister also discussed the PM SVANidhi Scheme, which has been instrumental in empowering women street vendors to expand their businesses and increase their incomes. Approximately 46 percent of the scheme's beneficiaries are women, amounting to around 35 lakh women across the country who have connected with this initiative to bolster their businesses.

Modi emphasized that the scheme's role in women's empowerment deserves more attention, as it has significantly helped millions of women gain new strength. The PM SVANidhi Scheme, launched in June 2020, was initially set to end by December 31, 2024, but has since been extended until March 31, 2030. While Modi is currently on a state visit to Uzbekistan, Mann Ki Baat is typically recorded a few days in advance and airs on the last Sunday of each month.