New Delhi, Nov 24 (FN Agency) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called upon youth to come forward to save the elderly from the risk of digital arrest. Addressing the 116th episode of Mann ki Baat, the Prime Minister stressed that the elderly are the most common victims of such crimes, and it is everyone’s responsibility to keep them safe from cyber fraud. “We have to explain to people again and again that there is no provision of digital arrest in the government; this is a blatant lie, a conspiracy to trap people. I am happy that our young friends are participating in this work with full sensitivity and are motivating others as well,” he said. The Prime Minister announced that on the 162nd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda next year, ‘Vikasit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue’ will be held in Delhi. “To connect 1 lakh such youths, new youths, to politics, many special campaigns will be run in the country. ‘Vikasit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue’ is also one such effort,” he added. On the occasion of NCC Day today, PM Modi recounted his days as an NCC Cadet.
He shared that the experience gained from it is invaluable. He added that NCC instills a spirit of discipline, leadership, and service in the youth. “Today, efforts are being undertaken continuously to strengthen NCC in the country. In 2014, about 14 lakh youth were associated with NCC. Now in 2024, more than 20 lakh youth are associated with NCC,” he said. Touching upon the subject of cleanliness, Modi said that a special Swachhata Abhiyan was launched to remove decades-old files and scrap from government offices. He said this campaign has brought amazing results in government departments and freed up a lot of space in offices. The Prime Minister pointed out that the concept of ‘waste to wealth’ is very old in India. He cited a few examples of youth who are transforming waste into wealth and promoting a sustainable lifestyle. He spoke about Akshara and Prakriti from Mumbai, who are creating fashion items through fabric scraps. Akshara and Prakriti’s team transforms fabric scraps into fashion products. The Prime Minister also called upon people to participate in the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign. “People from all over the country participated in this campaign with great enthusiasm.
I am very happy to tell you that this campaign has crossed the important milestone of planting 100 crore trees. A 100 crore trees, that too, in just 5 months.” Modi informed that in Bihar, the women of ‘Jeevika Self Help Group’ are running a campaign to plant 75 lakh trees. The focus of these women is on fruit trees, so that income could also be generated in the future. Recalling his recent visit to Guyana, Prime Minister Modi said thousands of kilometres away from India, a ‘Mini India’ dwells in Guyana too. “Around 180 years ago, people from India were taken to Guyana to work in the fields and for other tasks. Today, people of Indian origin in Guyana are leading the country in every field, be it politics, business, education, or culture,” he said. In this edition of Mann Ki Baat, the Prime Minister spoke about youths who are working selflessly for society. He praised Virendra from Lucknow, who helps the elderly in the matter of Digital Life certificates. As per rules, all pensioners have to submit a Life Certificate once a year. Till 2014, the elderly had to go to the banks and submit it themselves. Modi said the Digital Life Certificate has made things simpler for the people. He noted that youths like Virendra have a major role in ensuring that the elderly do not face any problems on account of technology. The Prime Minister added that with such efforts, the number of people receiving Digital Life certificates has crossed the 80 lakh mark. Among these, more than 2 lakh are elderly people who are above 80 years of age.