New Delhi, Mar 25: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed the nation via the 42nd edition of his monthly radio show – Mann Ki Baat. The core theme of his address was cleanliness, along with healthcare as PM Modi stressed on "Swasth Bharat along with Swachh Bharat".

PM Modi pitched the slogan of his new initiative - 'Fit India Mission' - whereby, his government would take the requisite measures towards eradicating all forms of diseases from the nation which cease to exist in the developed world.

"A target has been fixed to make the country TB-free by 2025," the PM added.

Modi extended the Ram Navami greetings to the nation, apart from wishing the populace for the upcoming festivals in different parts of the nation.

Highlights:

- PM Modi said yoga is one of the measures which is government aims to popularise to tackle ill-health and stress which has plagued the masses. "I am not a yoga guru. But being a yoga practitioner, I can claim that it had remedies to several health issues," he added.

- The Prime Minister read out stories of inspiration which were brought to his notice. "13 years ago, Kolkata's cab driver Saidul Laskar lost his sister as she could not get medical facility on time. He then decided to build a hospital so that no poor ever dies due to absence of medical facility."

- "In this mission, Saidul sold jewellery from his home and collected money through donations. His customers also donated to him generously. After 12 years, Saidul built a 30-bed hospital in Pundri village near Kolkata. This is the power of New India," the PM said during his address.

- Citing another instance where a citizen went out of his way to ensure healthcare for the needy, Modi read, "When I got to know the story of Dr Ajit Mohan Chaudhary of Kanpur that he goes to footpath to treat the poor people there and provide them medicines, it provided me the opportunity to feel the brotherhood of this nation."

- Modi also highlighted the efforts of Assam resident Ahmed Ali, who has built nine schools for children coming from the underprivileged economic strata.

- "When I read in letters sent by you that how a rickshaw puller from Assam's Karimganj, Ahmed Ali built 9 schools for poor children, it gives me a glimpse into the nation's willpower," the PM said.

- "The birth anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Babasaheb Ambedkar is approaching," PM Modi said, further adding that his government is committed to follow his footsteps.

- "Babasaheb talked about urbanisation and entrepreneurship as means to uplift the weaker section of the society," Modi recalled. The government is committed to is ideals through schemes like the Mudra Yojana, which aims to promote entrepreneurship among all sections of the society, he claimed.

- The Prime Minister said Ambedkar's dream of economic upliftment is set to become a reality as his government has transformed India into a hotspot for global investment. "The foreign direct investment in the nation is at an all time high," he added.

- "To commemorate Babasaheb's birth anniversary, Gram Swaraj Abhiyan will be held across India from April 14 to May 5," the PM said.

While concluding his speech, Modi once again extended his wishes to the nation on the upcoming festivals – Bhagwan Mahavir Jayanti, Hanuman Jayanti, Easter and the Baisakhi.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 25, 2018 11:48 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).