G-20 Presidency a great opportunity for India to focus on global good: PM

"This becomes even more special as India was awarded this responsibility during Amrit Kaal," he said while addressing his 95th episode of Mann Ki Baat on All India Radio.

"G-20 has a partnership comprising two-thirds of the world's population, three-fourths of world trade, and 85% of world GDP. India is going to preside over such a big group, such a powerful group, 3 days from the 1st of December. What a great opportunity has come for India, for every Indian!" he added.

The Prime Minister said India has solutions to challenges related to everything from peace or unity, sensitivity towards the environment, or sustainable development.

The theme that we have given “One Earth, One Family, One Future” shows our commitment to Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, he said.

Modi stated that many programs related to G20 will be organized in different parts of the country in the coming days.

He told listeners that people from different parts of the world will get a chance to visit their states during this period.

He expressed confidence that people will showcase the diverse and distinctive colours of their culture to the world and noted that the people coming to these G20-related programmes might be delegates of today, but they are tourists of the future.

Prime Minister mentioned a unique gift he received from a weaver in the Rajanna Sircilla district of Telangana. He said Yeldhi Hariprasad Garu sent him a G20 logo woven with his own hands.

Modi said he recently launched the G20 logo and the website of the Presidency of India. This logo was chosen through a public contest.

Prime Minister said he was pleasantly surprised to learn that even a person sitting in a district of Telangana could feel a connection with the G20 Summit.

He also mentioned Subba Rao Chillara from Pune and Tushar Jagmohan from Kolkata who wrote to him highly appreciating India's proactive efforts regarding G20.

The PM also urged schools, colleges and universities to create opportunities for discussions, debates and competitions related to G20 and asked people to visit the G20.in website, where they will find many things of interest.

Hailing the recent launch of a rocket Vikram-S, he said, " the whole country witnessed history being made in the space sector on November 18".

He said that the heart of every Indian swelled with pride as soon as this first rocket of the indigenous Space Start-up made a historic flight from Sriharikota.

"Vikram-S' Rocket is equipped with many features. It is also lighter than other rockets, and also cheaper and its development cost is much less than the cost incurred by other countries involved in space missions" he said.

The Prime Minister stressed that world-class standard in space technology at a low cost has now become the hallmark of India.

He highlighted that some crucial parts of the Vikram S rocket have been made through 3D Printing and pointed out that this marks the dawn of a new era for the private space sector in India.

Modi informed that India is sharing its success in the space sector with its neighbouring countries as well.

He said, "India launched a satellite yesterday which has been jointly developed by India and Bhutan. This satellite will send very high-resolution pictures which will help Bhutan manage its natural resources

"He added that this satellite launch is a reflection of the strong Indo-Bhutan relations."

The Prime Minister lauded the youth for doing wonderful work in Space, Technology and Innovation and added they are thinking big and achieving big.

Speaking about the importance of education, Modi mentioned that Jatin Lalit Singh from a village in UP's Hardoi, called Bansa. He had started a 'Community Library and Resource Centre' in the village two years ago.

His Centre has more than 3000 books related to Hindi and English literature, computer, law and preparing for many government exams. Every day, about 80 students from the village come to study in this library.

Prime Minister also mentioned Sanjay Kashyap of Jharkhand who has become the 'Library Man' for children in many districts of Jharkhand. When Sanjay started earning, he built the first library at his native place.

Wherever he was transferred, he would get involved in the mission of opening a library for the education of poor and tribal children. Prime Minister appreciated the fact that his mission to open a library is taking the form of a social movement today.

Speaking about the innovations related to technology, Modi said India is moving fast in the field of drones. He highlighted that a few days ago, apples were transported through drones in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh.

Prime Minister also sought to create awareness about Muscular Dystrophy which remains a big challenge for medical science.

"It is a genetic disease that can occur at any age, in which the muscles of the body begin to weaken," he said.

Modi said the treatment and care of such patients require a great sense of service. He spoke about a Centre at Solan in Himachal Pradesh, which has become a new ray of hope for patients with Muscular Dystrophy. The name of this centre is 'Manav Mandir'. It is being run by the Indian Association of Muscular Dystrophy.

The Prime Minister also spoke about a Greek singer Konstantinos Kalaitzis who had sung Bapu's favourite bhajan during the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi.

"Kalaitzis has a great passion for India and Indian music and it has so much affection for India, that in the last 42 years, he has come to India almost every year," he said,

The Greek singer has studied the origin of India, different types of ragas, talas and rasas as well as different gharanas. Now, he has put together all these experiences related to India in a book.

There are about 760 pictures in his book named Indian Music. He appreciated him for his enthusiasm and fascination for Indian culture.

The Prime Minister expressed happiness that the export of musical instruments from India has increased three and a half times in the last eight years. Talking about Electrical Musical Instruments, Modi said their export has increased 60 times.

He said this shows that the craze for Indian culture and music is increasing.

The biggest buyers of Indian Musical Instruments are developed countries like US, Germany, France, Japan and UK. Modi termed it fortunate that India has such a rich heritage of Music, Dance and Art.

The Prime Minister said that Indian Gods and Goddesses are associated with music, be it the Veena of Maa Saraswati, the flute of Bhagwan Krishna, or the Damru of Bholenath.

They also took many traditions of India with them. He added that in Phagwa or Holi of Guyana, there is a special tradition of singing wedding songs associated with Bhagwan Rama and Bhagwan Krishna. These songs are called Chautal.

Prime Minister also praised an effort made in Nagaland to preserve traditions and traditional knowledge. People in Nagaland have formed an organization - 'Lidi-Cro-U'. '

"The organization has undertaken the work of reviving beautiful facets of Naga culture which were on the verge of being lost. It has started the work of launching Naga Music Albums" he said.

"So far, three such albums have been launched. Many types of products are made from bamboo in the Northeast and the youth are also taught to make bamboo products" Modi said.

(With UNI inputs)