Modi reaffirms commitment to bring back black money, cites progress on various fronts
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday reiterated his commitment to bring back illicit funds stashed abroad, describing the effort as a matter of faith and asserting that the government is on the right path.
Speaking during his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat', Modi said the money belongs to the poor and every paisa must be returned. He acknowledged differing opinions on how to achieve this but assured the nation based on the information available, the government is moving in the right direction. Modi did not disclose any specific figure or timeline, stating that no one, including the government, knows the exact amount of black money held overseas.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the public response to his call for buying Khadi cloth, noting that sales rose by 125% in the week following his October 2nd appeal. He praised citizens for participating in the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, linking cleanliness to the welfare of the poor and noting that children and train passengers have become more conscious about littering.
Modi observed a growing trend among celebrities, businesspeople, and officials to discuss social issues rather than personal interests. He also recounted his visit to Siachen on Diwali to spend time with soldiers, saluting their dedication. He congratulated the Indian Army for winning a gold medal at Exercise Cambrian Patrol in the UK and praised Indian sportspersons for their commitment despite limited facilities.
On education, Modi announced that the Human Resource Development Ministry has formulated schemes for specially-abled children, including scholarships for technical education for 1,000 selected students and a provision of ₹1 lakh each for Kendriya Vidyalayas and Central Universities to build accessible infrastructure.
In his next radio address, Modi said he would discuss the issue of drug abuse among young people, responding to a request from a listener named Abhishek Parekh and inputs from mothers, sisters, and doctors. He invited suggestions and success stories on the topic, asking citizens without internet access to write letters to 'Mann Ki Baat, Akashwani Bhawan, Parliament Street'.
