Modi hails farm laws amid growing protests at Delhi border

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hailed the Centre’s three new farm laws and spoke about their advantages during his monthly radio talk ‘Mann Ki Baat’ amid strong protests by farmers who are waiting to be heard at the doors of the national capital.

“The agricultural reforms in the past few days have now opened new doors of possibilities for our farmers,” said Modi, referring to the laws that farmers believe will pave way for the dismantling of minimum support price system, leaving them at the “mercy” of corporates.

He said the demands that have been made by farmers for years, that every political party, at some point or the other made the promise to fulfill, those demands have been met. He also cited the example of a Maharashtra farmer who used the provisions of the new laws to get the money promised to him by a trader.

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“After a lot of deliberation, Indian Parliament gave a legal form to the agricultural reforms. These reforms have not only served to unshackle our farmers but also given them new rights and opportunities. In just a short span of time, these new rights have begun to ameliorate the woes of our farmers,” he said.

PM Modi touched upon various other topics ranging from the idol of goddess Annapurna, stolen in 1913 from Varanasi, being brought back to India from Canada, to emphasising that educational institutions should harness the strengths and talents of their alumni.

Remembering Guru Nanak Dev, whose birth anniversary is on Monday, Modi lauded his noble ideals and added that he considered himself to be fortunate for his involvement in various works related to Sikh gurus and gurdwaras. He also hailed the opening of the Kartarpur Sahib corridor in November last year as historic. In his remarks, Modi also talked about a gurdwara in Kutch, which is considered very sacred and special.

In the broadcast, he remembered the work of Dr Salim Ali, an Indian ornithologist and naturalist. “There are many clubs and societies that are passionate about bird watching. I hope you all discover more about them,” Modi said.

The culture of India is gaining popularity all over the world, he noted. “One such effort is by Jonas Masetti, who is based in Brazil and popularises Vedanta as well as the Gita among people there. He uses technology effectively to popularise our culture and ethos,” he said.

The prime minister also lauded Gaurav Sharma, the MP for Hamilton West, New Zealand, for taking his oath of office in Sanskrit.

(With inputs from agencies)