NEW DELHI: In his monthly radio address Mann ki baat Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the key to the future is technology and to lead, one must innovate.
“The future is going to be technology-driven, we need to embrace it... Let us aim to innovate,” he said. In this context, he spoke of the Atal Innovation Mission, a Central initiative which hopes to promote a culture of entrepreneurship.
Remembering the contributions of former President A P J Abdul Kalam, whose first death anniversary was observed earlier this month, he said, “When we remember Dr Kalam, we think of science, technology... There has to be an ecosystem of innovators to encourage innovation, experiment, entrepreneurship.”
The PM said that the government has proposed setting up “tinkering laboratories” at the school level under the Atal Innovation Mission to grow the culture of innovation from grassroots. He also sought ideas from citizens about the topics he should focus on during his Independence Day speech.
“I am the first Prime Minister of the country born after Independence...I will address the nation on 15th August. I seek your ideas for my address. Please share them on the Mobile App or MyGov,” the PM urged.
He also announced a new scheme under which pregnant women will get a free medical check-up on the ninth of every month. “We have started the Prime Minister’s Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan, under which a free check-up will be given to pregnant women on the 9th of every month in government health centres,” Modi said, adding that while the maternal mortality rate has come down in the last couple of decades, it is still a big problem in India.
“Thousands of doctors have agreed to my request for this, but in a big country like India, lakhs of doctors should join this campaign,” the PM urged.
The PM also expressed his sorrow at the lives lost during floods this monsoon season. “The State governments and Centre are working closely to help the flood-affected people,” he said.