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While Delhi recorded Sunday the worst air quality of its season, Punjab farmers who do not burn stubble in their fields were praised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who praised their help for saving the the environment in the radio speech pronounced "Mann ki Baat" on Sunday.
Modi also paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for "uniting" India after the partition and said his timely intervention had saved Jammu and Kashmir from "aggression". The prime minister urged young people to enthusiastically participate in the "race for unity" held on Oct. 31 to mark the anniversary of Patel's birth.
Regarding the environment, Modi said that the world, especially Western countries, was discussing the protection of the environment and was trying to find ways to adopt a balanced way of life. India was also facing a similar problem, he said.
He said residents of Kallar Majra in Punjab's Nabha district were mixing stubble with sand by plowing their fields rather than burning crop residues.
"Living in harmony and in close coordination with nature is an integral part of our tribal communities …" added Modi. He referred to the Bhils of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, the Bishnois of Rajasthan and the Mishmi tribes of Arunachal Pradesh to make his point of view known.
Addressing Prime Minister of the Interior Union, India, Modi, said: "If we manage to see a united India now, it is entirely in because of the sagacity and strategic wisdom of Sardar Patel. "
On October 31 of this year, the statue of the unit will be dedicated to the nation as a "true tribute" to Sardar Patel, he said. In his address, the Prime Minister also paid tribute to the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on the occasion of his birthday on 31 October.
The Prime Minister pointed out that Infantry Day was celebrated every year on October 27, just as the first Indian soldiers had settled in Jammu and Kashmir to confront intruders from Pakistan.
Quoting the late Marshal S H F J Manekshaw, he said Patel was "upset" by the delay in launching a military action to expel the attackers. "During the proceedings, Patel reiterated that there should be no delay in the operations of our army and that a solution should be sought quickly. And immediately after, our troops flew to Kashmir … we saw the success of our army, "Modi said.
First publication: October 28, 2018 23:18 IST
