New Delhi, December 30: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 51st edition of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat on Sunday and highlighted the achievement of the government in 2018. The Prime Minister wished people of the nation a happy new year 2019 and reflected on the year gone by. The address began at 11 am during which Prime Minister Modi shared his ideas and answers to questions received from across the country. The Prime Minister is at Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar Islands to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose led Azad Hind Sarkar. Good Governance is Our Birthright, Says Narendra Modi as He Remembers Lokmanya Tilak in Mann Ki Baat.

The programme is being broadcasted on AIR and Doordarshan and will also be streamed on the YouTube channels of the Prime Minister's Office, Information and Broadcasting Ministry, AIR and DD News. It will be simultaneously broadcast on AIR's website www.allindiaradio.gov.in. People can also listen to  PM Modi's 'Mann Ki Baat' on their mobile phones by giving a missed call in 1922.

Take a look at the key highlights:

  1. PM Modi wished people of the nation a Happy New Year 2019 and reflected on the year gone by. He said it is equally important to reflect to decide about resolutions for the coming year.

  2. During his address, PM Modi lauded Indian athletes for their exemplary performances in Asian Games and Blind Cricket World Cup.

  3. The Prime Minister lauded the achievements of the government in 2018. He said in honour of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who bonded the entire country around a common thread of unity, India witnessed the coming up of the tallest statue in the world, ‘Statue of Unity’.

  4. In 2018, health insurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat was launched. Electricity reached every village of the country. World agencies recognise that India is pulling its citizens out of poverty at a record pace: PM Modi

  5. PM Modi said that after Independence, for the first time ever, the tricolor was hoisted at Red Fort on the 75th anniversary of the formation of the Azad Hind Government.

  6. Modi said in 2018, India secured a place of pride & glory in the entire world. The highest United Nations Environment Award ‘Champions of the Earth’ was conferred upon India.

  7. The Prime Minister said due to the collective efforts that India has seen unprecedented improvement in the ‘Ease of doing business’ rankings. He said the country’s self-defence mechanism got further reinforced.

  8. In his monthly address via 'Mann Ki Baat', Modi said that the top world’s rated agencies have accepted that, India is pulling its people out of poverty.

  9. "India clinched a large number of medals in Asian Games and performed very well in Para Asian Games too. If I continue enumerating examples of Purusharth, character & mettle of Indians, or those of our collective endeavour, this episode of Mann Ki Baat will go on and on", PM Modi said.

  10. Highlighting the achievements of 2018, Modi saod it was during this very year that our country has successfully accomplished the Nuclear Triad, which means we are now armed with nuclear capabilities-in water, on land and in the sky as well.

  11. Sports has its own significance in every society. We observe name, fame and laurels when it comes to sportspersons. But, at times, in the background, there exist many things that are much higher, much greater than the world of sports: PM Modi.

  12. Our festivals are replete with fragrance of the essence of Unity in Diversity and the spirit of One India Great India. We can witness how closely our festivals are interlinked with nature: PM

  13. Gudi Padva, Chettichand, Ugadi and others are all celebrated according to the lunar Calendar, whereas Tamil Putandu Vishnu, Baisakh, Baisakhi, Poila Boisakh, Bihu are all celebrated in accordance with solar calendar: PM Modi

  14. The Prime Minister said the process of Sant- Mahatmas converging at Kumbh Mela has already started. "It is a measure of its global importance that last year UNESCO has marked Kumbh Mela in a list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. National flags of many countries were together hoisted at Kumbh", he added.

  15. Modi said there is a lot of curiosity regarding the celebration of Republic Day on 26th January, when we remember those great men who gave us our Constitution. In his address, Modi said that in 2019, the nation will celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of revered Bapu this Republic Day.

The Prime Minister's last address marked the 50th episode of Mann ki Baat on November 25. In his address, Modi spoke about how radio had helped him “truly connect with the masses to reach out to people”. During his address, Modi recalled his journey on Mann Ki Baat and claimed that Mann ki Baat had remained apolitical in all its 50 episodes in the last four years.

On Saturday, Uttarakhand became the first state where radios have been distributed to the BJP workers so that people can listen to 'Mann ki Baat'.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 30, 2018 11:10 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).