Small business owners who made a difference speak to PM Modi on Mann Ki Baat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Photo credit: PTI)

Prime Minister Modi lauded Sunil Jaglan from Haryana for his “selfie with daughter” campaign which has now become a nationwide phenomenon.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday during the 100th episode of “Mann Ki Baat” spoke to the people from different parts of the country whose unique initiatives have led to a transformational change in society and inspired other people to follow their path.

PM Modi said that these people have inspired the lives of thousands of listeners who tune into the “Mann Ki Baat” radio show.

Speaking to Sunil Jaglan from Haryana who started the initiative “selfie with daughter” he said that now it has become a nationwide campaign. Jaglan had shared the photo with his daughters from his village in June 2015.

Later he launched a website where people could share their pictures with their daughters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked Jaglan how his daughters were doing and extended his blessings for their future.

“The ‘selfie with daughter’ campaign was supported by many around the world,” Jaglan said.

Prime Minister Modi speaking on women empowerment gave the example of Vijayashanti Devi, a resident of Manipur who weaves clothes out of lotus fibre and has already provided employment to 30 women in the community. She said that she aims to employ 70 more women, taking her small business’ strength to that of a hundred.

Devi also mentioned that soon she will start exporting her products. Prime Minister Modi lauded her journey and said she has helped a lot of women through her work.

Meanwhile, Pradeep Sangwan who runs the “Healing Himalayas” campaign said that his team collects over five tons of garbage on a daily basis from the region to ensure cleanliness is maintained in the hills. He said that since the Prime Minister spoke about his campaign on Mann Ki Baat, more and more people keep joining the cleanliness drive.

Jammu and Kashmir’s pencil manufacturer, Manzoor Ahmed, was also among the ones who featured in the 100th episode.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted how the Oukhoo village in Pulwama where Ahmed carries out his small business has been aiding people to educate themselves by making pencils.

The Oukwoo village now is known as the “pencil village of India”, and Ahmed’s manufacturing unit has employed over 200 people in the valley.