New Delhi, Mar 26: From ‘Elephant Whisperers’ to the first woman minister in Nagaland, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pointed out several examples in his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’, to showcase the role of India’s ‘Nari Shakti’ in realising India’s true potential.
In his 99th Mann Ki Baat address, PM Modi said, “Recently, I met those brave daughters who had gone to Turkiye in the rescue mission after the disastrous earthquake there. They were a part of the NDRF unit. Their courage and efficiency is being talked about in the whole world”.
He said that today, India’s women are showcasing their valour in all three defence forces.
“Group Captain Shalija Dhami became the first woman air force officer to receive Command Appointment in the Combat Unit. She has a flying experience of close to three thousand hours. Similarly, Captain Shiva Chauhan became the first woman officer to get posted at Siachen. In a region where the temperature falls to minus sixty degrees, Shiva will be posted for three months. India has also appointed a ‘Woman only’ platoon in the UN Mission” he said.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the two women behind ‘The Elephant Whisperers’, which became the first Indian production to win an Oscar.
“You all would have definitely seen Surekha Yadav, who became Asia’s first loco pilot. She set a precedent by becoming the first woman loco pilot of Vande Bharat Express. In the same month itself, producer Guneet Monga, and Director Kartiki Gonsalves made the whole nation proud, by winning Oscar for their documentary ‘Elephant Whisperers”.
PM Modi added, “In another achievement for the country, Jyotirmayi Mohanti, the scientist of Bhabha Atomic Centre, has won the special IUPAC award in the field of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. India’s women’s team also created history by winning the first U-19 T20 World Cup”.
He further pointed out that for the first time in history, a woman MLA and minister are holding office in Nagaland.
“If you look at politics, a new start has taken place in Nagaland. For the first time in 75 years, two women MLAs have reached the state assembly. One of them was also made the minister. So, the people of Nagaland got their first woman minister,” PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister further pointed out the rising demand for lotus stems in Kashmir, which is known by the local name of ‘Nadru’.