Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his monthly radio address Mann Ki Baat Sunday announced the launch of a new campaign ‘Meri Mati Mera Desh’ to honour the country’s martyred bravehearts. He also thanked the US government for returning ancient artefacts to India and the Saudi government for the decision to allow women to go for Hajj without a male companion.

In his 103rd edition of the programme, PM Modi said that under the ‘Meri Mati Mera Desh’ campaign, many programmes will be held across the country in memory of “our immortal martyrs.”

“In the memory of these luminaries, special inscriptions will also be installed in lakhs of village panchayats of the country,” he said, adding that an ‘Amrit Kalash Yatra’ will also be organised across the country. PM Modi said that as part of the ‘Amrit Kalash Yatra’, soil in 7,500 urns and saplings will be carried from every corner of the country to Delhi.

He said an ‘Amrit Vatika’ will be built near the National War Memorial by fusing the soil and saplings which will symbolise ‘Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat’. “I had talked about ‘Panch Prana’ for the next 25 years of Amrit Kaal from Red Fort last year. By participating in the ‘Meri Mati Mera Desh’ campaign, we will also take an oath to fulfil these ‘five resolves’,” he said.

He called upon the audience to upload their selfies on yuva.gov.in while taking the oath and holding the sacred soil of the country, highlighting that last year on Independence Day, the entire country came together for ‘Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyan’. “Similarly, this time too we have to hoist the Tricolour at every house, and continue this tradition.”

PM Modi also praised National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel for saving the lives of people hit by floods, landslides and cyclones this year. “Owing to flooding in many rivers including Yamuna, people in many areas have had to suffer. Landslides have also occurred in hilly areas. Meanwhile, in the western part of the country, the Biparjoy Cyclone also hit areas of Gujarat some time ago. But in the midst of all these calamities, all of us countrymen have once again brought to the fore the power of collective effort,” he said. “The local people, our NDRF jawans, those from the local administration have worked day and night to combat such calamities.”

Modi also thanked the United States government for returning more than a hundred rare and ancient artefacts to India. “These artefacts returned to India are 2,500 to 250 years old. You will also be happy to know that these rare items are related to different regions of the country,” he said, adding that these were made of terracotta, stone, metal and wood.

Some of these are such that they will fill you with wonder. If you have a look at them, you will be left mesmerised. You will also get to see a beautiful sandstone sculpture from the 11th century among these. This is an artwork of an ‘Apsara’ dancing, which belongs to Madhya Pradesh,” he said. PM Modi mentioned that the list has many idols of the Chola era, with idols of Devi and Lord Murugan dating back to the 12th century associated with the rich culture of Tamil Nadu.

“Nearly a thousand-year-old bronze statue of Lord Ganesha has also been returned to India. An idol of Uma-Maheshwara in Lalitasan is said to be from the 11th century, in which both are seated on Nandi. Two stone idols of Jain Tirthankaras have also come back to India. Two idols of Bhagwan Surya Dev will also enthrall you,” he said. “One of these is made of sandstone. Among the items returned is a panel made of wood, which brings to the fore the story of the churning of the ocean. This panel of the 16th-17th century is associated with South India,” he added.

Modi also praised women from Uttarakhand for preserving the cultural heritage of ‘Bhojpatra’. “These are the women who had presented me with a unique artwork on Bhojpatra in October last year. I was also overwhelmed on receiving this gift. After all, since ancient times, our scriptures and books have been preserved on these Bhojpatras. Mahabharata was also written on the Bhojpatra,” he said.

Talking about more than 4,000 women who have performed Hajj without any male companion or mehram, he said it is a huge transformation. “Earlier, Muslim women were not allowed to perform Hajj without mehram. Through Mann Ki Baat, I also express my heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Saudi Arabia. Women coordinators were specially appointed for women going on Hajj without mehram.”