Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi addresses final monthly radio program before Lok Sabha polls; Key highlights

Mann Ki Baat: The Prime Minister’s began his address by remembering the Pulwama martyrs and hailed the courage of the CRPF.

Mann Ki Baat: The Prime Minister’s began his address by remembering the Pulwama martyrs and hailed the courage of the CRPF.

Mann Ki Baat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation through his monthly radio-broadcast Mann Ki Baat today.  The 53rd episode was PM's final monthly radio program before the general elections. The Prime Minister’s began his address by remembering the Pulwama martyrs and hailed the courage of the CRPF. "They gave their lives to secure our lives," he said. He described the sorrow and the courage displayed by the families of the CRPF personnel who died in the attack. Take a look at the major highlights of 53rd Mann Ki Baat radio program:

Pulwama Terror Attack

• PM said, "Ten days ago India lost her brave sons. These bravehearts sacrificed their lives for 125 crore Indians. I salute the bravehearts who have sacrificed for our country This will strengthen our resolve to wipe out terror. We have to forget differences of caste, sect, and creed and unitedly fight against terror." • PM further said, "I respectfully bow to all the brave sons of the country, who laid down their lives, protecting the honour of their motherland, India. This martyrdom will keep inspiring us relentlessly to uproot the very base of terrorism; it will fortify our resolve." • "Sacrifices of CRPF jawans won't go in vain. India has taken punitive actions within 100 hours of Pulwama attack," PM added.

PM talks about Martyrs kin's courage

• PM Narendra Modi remembered Martyr Ratan Thakur of Bhagalpur, Bihar. He said, "Thakur's father will be sending his second son to army as well." He mentions Meena, wife of Martyr Prasanna Sahu of Jagatsinghpur, Odisha; Martyr Vijay Soren, whose son said he too would join the armed forces, after seeing his father draped in tri-colour. • PM also urged the youth to take inspiration from the martyr's family.

PM announces War Memorial

• PM said, "India not having a National War Memorial used to surprise me, pain me a Memorial that would house the valour saga series of our brave soldiers who laid down their lives, safeguarding their nation’s security. And I took a resolve that the country must have such Memorial." • The war memorial will be dedicated to the nation on 25th of February, to our Armed Forces. • It will come up in the heart of Delhi, in close vicinity of India Gate and Amar Jawan Jyoti.

Modi remembers Morarji Desai

• The prime minister, on the 53rd episode of Mann Ki Baat, also paid tribute to Morarji Desai, whose birth anniversary falls on 29 February.

PM Modi wishes students for board exams

• As the board exams are going on, PM Narendra Modi wishes the best to the examinees. • "My best wishes to all the students who’re going to appear for their examinations, their parents and all the teachers as well," PM said.

PM Modi's Mahashivratri wishes to India

• PM Modi also wishes the nation in advance for Mahashivratri. • In a few days from now, Mahashivrartri will be celebrated, and that too on a Monday, and when a Shivratri falls on a Monday, it becomes all that special in our heart of our hearts!

Last episode of Mann Ki Baat till May end

• Since the elections are coming, PM Modi said that this will be the last edition of Mann Ki Baat for the next three months. • PM Modi said that the next edition of Mann Ki Baat will be broadcast only in the last week of May. The Prime Minister through his address on the radio aims to connect with the common man on a regular basis and inform them about the initiatives of the government and seek support in nation building and governance. The Mann Ki Baat episodes are broadcasted across the country through All India Radio, DD News, DD National and is also streamed on YouTube channels Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, All India Radio and the Prime Minister’s office. The programme will be aired at 11 am. One can also listen to Mann ki Baat in ‘Narendra Modi Mobile App’ as well. In the last edition of the radio broadcast, the Prime Minister had hailed the contribution of the Election Commission of India for continuously working towards strengthening the democracy and had also urged the youth of the country who have attained the age of 18 to register themselves as voters.