Modi’s Mann Ki Baat Focuses on Local Crafts, Indian Startups and Grassroots Change

New Delhi: With the festive shopping season approaching, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on consumers to make locally manufactured and artisan-made products a priority, saying that everyday purchasing decisions can strengthen small producers and advance India’s drive towards economic self-reliance.

In his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat on Thursday, Modi connected the appeal for indigenous products with a broader account of innovation emerging from villages, traditional industries, research institutions and startups.

He described the broadcast as a journey to recognise the dedication and achievements of ordinary citizens whose efforts are bringing change to their communities.

As Diwali and Chhath draw closer, the Prime Minister encouraged families to consider the people behind the products they purchase.

Greater demand for locally made goods, he said, could improve artisans’ livelihoods, raise their confidence and accelerate the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.

He also urged citizens to combine the festive spirit with cleanliness efforts.

Traditional crafts find new opportunities.

Among the examples highlighted during the broadcast was the Kheti Virasat Mission in Punjab’s Malwa region, which promotes traditional farming methods and cotton cultivation without chemical inputs.

The initiative produces naturally coloured cotton, reducing the need for artificial textile dyes and linking environmentally conscious agriculture with traditional weaving.

The programme has also helped women acquire weaving skills through a dedicated training school.

According to the account shared by Modi, some of the women had previously earned their livelihoods through domestic work and agricultural labour.

One participant produced a shawl that was presented to the President, illustrating how traditional skills can create new economic opportunities.

The Prime Minister also pointed to growing overseas demand for regional Indian products.

Makhana from Bihar’s Purnia district has reached buyers in Greece, while arhar dal from Karnataka’s Kalaburagi has found a market in the Maldives.

Khadi also received special mention. Sales of Khadi Gram Udyog products reportedly exceeded Rs 28 crore on Gandhi Jayanti, an increase of Rs 1.5 crore over the corresponding figure a year earlier.

The performance, Modi suggested, reflected continued consumer interest in products associated with India’s heritage and domestic production.

Tribal art and greener packaging

Modi drew attention to businesses that are combining traditional design with contemporary marketing.

He cited Shabari Natural, whose range includes honey, mahua, chironji and bamboo-based goods presented in packaging decorated with tribal artwork.

The initiative received Japan’s Good Design Award, according to the Prime Minister.

He also mentioned a Karnataka-based startup working on environmentally friendly packaging made from bamboo and agricultural waste.

Such alternatives offer a way to reduce dependence on conventional packaging materials while creating value from locally available resources.

These examples formed part of a wider message about the commercial potential of Indian craftsmanship and sustainable production.

Traditional knowledge, he indicated, can remain economically relevant when supported by thoughtful design, innovation and access to wider markets.

Community action revives a Himalayan river.r

Environmental conservation was another theme of the address. Modi praised residents of Uttarakhand’s Tehri Garhwal region for efforts to restore the Heval river, which had been experiencing declining water levels.

The community worked on rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and tree planting to improve the local water system. The example highlighted how collective action at the village level can contribute to the restoration of natural resources.

The Prime Minister also recalled the growing national interest in millets following the observance of the International Year of Millets.

He linked the initiative with a wider rise in millet cultivation, drawing attention to the role of farmers in promoting traditional grains.

Telemedicine and research expand India’s technological reach

Turning to healthcare, Modi highlighted the scale achieved by the government’s e-Sanjeevani telemedicine service, which has crossed 50 crore consultations.

The platform allows patients to seek medical advice remotely and can help people obtain guidance for common illnesses, infections and pregnancy-related concerns without always having to travel to a healthcare facility.

The Prime Minister also discussed research showcased during his recent visit to Chennai and IIT Madras.

Among the projects he highlighted was the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre, which has developed a high-resolution digital brain-imaging platform.

The technology creates detailed three-dimensional representations that enable researchers to map and examine human brain structures at a fine level of detail, with a project focused on 100 human brains.

Indian startups were another focus.

Modi referred to innovations aimed at checking the authenticity and quality of gold, recovering money lost through banking fraud, developing electric vehicles capable of travelling over water, and improving charging technology for drones and electric vehicles.

He also highlighted the use of artificial intelligence in medical diagnosis, including applications designed to detect cervical cancer, alongside emerging technologies intended to strengthen defence capabilities.

Together, these examples presented a picture of innovation extending across consumer protection, mobility, healthcare and national security.

The Prime Minister encouraged recognition of such work as evidence of the technical capabilities being developed within the country.

Organ donation and national figures

Modi also expressed gratitude to organ donors and their families, acknowledging the role of donation in saving lives and supporting medical progress.

Organ donation, he noted, gives patients facing serious medical conditions a chance of survival while contributing to the advancement of healthcare.

Towards the end of the programme, the Prime Minister turned to historical and scientific figures whose birth anniversaries fall in late October and early November.

He encouraged young people to learn about their contributions and draw inspiration from their lives.

Those mentioned included Maharishi Valmiki, whose birth anniversary falls on October 26; fibre-optics pioneer Narinder Singh Kapany and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, both associated with October 31; and freedom fighter Bhai Parmanand, whose birth anniversary is observed on November 4.

Patel’s birth anniversary is marked nationally as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, or National Unity Day.

By recalling these figures alongside contemporary achievements, Modi linked India’s historical legacy with its present-day efforts in science, enterprise, social development and self-reliance.

The address ultimately brought together a range of themes, from supporting local livelihoods during the festive season to using technology and community participation to tackle larger economic, environmental and social challenges.