Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the first Prime Minister in India to connect with people via monthly radio broadcasts called ‘Mann Ki Baat’.

In PM’s 53rd and last monthly address prior to Lok Sabha elections on Sunday, he paid tribute to martyred CRPF soldiers.

PM Modi inaugurated National War Memorial on Monday.

Delhi: National War Memorial honours martyred soldiers in the country since Independence.
Image source: ANI

PM Modi on Sunday suspending his monthly broadcast of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ for March and April said that he would be back with the programme in May after the Lok Sabha election.

“No ‘Mann ki Baat’ in March, April due to upcoming general election; next broadcast on last Sunday of May,” he said.

In his last radio address before the elections, Modi paid tribute to the CRPF troopers killed in the Pulwama attack and praised the armed forces for displaying unparalleled courage

Modi, in his 53rd ‘Mann ki Baat programme, said people across the nation are agonized and angry after the Pulwama attack where 40 jawans were killed.

“Our armed forces have displayed impeccable capabilities in restoring peace and they have retaliated befittingly in the language terrorists understand,” he said.

PM Modi also declared that the nation’s wait for a War memorial is set to be over. He will inaugurate the National War Memorial near India Gate on February 25. “India not having a war memorial used to surprise and pain me. This new memorial has been built near India Gate and Amar Jawan Jyoti,” Modi said.

The National War Memorial in Delhi honours soldiers who have laid down their lives for the country since Independence declared on Sunday.

In 2015, the government had approved the project for building a National War Memorial and a National War Museum near India Gate in memory of over 22,500 soldiers who laid down their lives post-Independence.

The Prime Minister through his radio address aims to connect with the common man on a regular basis and inform them about the initiatives of the Government and also seeks the support of the common man in nation building and governance.

Interestingly, PM Modi on Sunday teased on Twitter before his 53rd and last month prior to Lok Sabha elections quoting, “Today’s #MannKiBaat is special! Do tune in at 11 AM. Later on don’t say I didn’t tell you in advance.”

Towards the end of the address, PM Modi said there will be no Mann Ki Baat in March and April due to upcoming election; next broadcast on last Sunday of May. “For the next two months, we will all be busy with the election. I too will be a candidate. Respecting a healthy democracy, the next Mann Ki Baat will be on the last Sunday of May,” PM Modi said.

“My thoughts over March, April and the whole of May, I will share with you after the elections. Mann Ki Baat will begin with a new faith and your blessings and I will continue to share my thoughts with you for years,” he said.

Stay tuned for more updates!