PM Modi pays homage to Indira Gandhi in 'Mann Ki Baat' address

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to former PM Indira Gandhi during his monthly 'Mann Ki Baat' radio address to the nation. In the radio programme's 58th edition, PM Modi said, "My dear countrymen, on 31st October, the former Prime Minister of our country Indira Ji was assassinated. It was a traumatic moment for our country. Today, I pay homage to her."

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PM Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her own Sikh bodyguards at her residence in Delhi's Akbar Road on October 31, 1984. The incident was a fallout of the Indian Army's Operation Bluestar executed at Amritsar's Golden Temple at the directions of then-PM Gandhi. The military operation was intended to flush out Khalistani separatists who had taken shelter in the holy shrine.

READ | PM Modi Extends Greetings On Diwali

PM pitches 'Festival Tourism'

As the country is celebrating Diwali on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his greetings to everyone in his Mann ki Baat address. He recited a Sanskrit shloka, conveying a 'purposeful message'. PM Modi pitched the idea of "Festival Tourism" and said that we must try to popularise our festivals and invite people from other States and countries to join the festivities. Modi also underlined that Indians living abroad have an important role in boosting festival tourism in the country. He said, "Festival tourism has its own exciting attractions globally. India is the land of festivals that presents immense possibilities for festival tourism."

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'Bharat ki Laxmi' Campaign

He also urged the citizens to celebrate 'Nari Shaki' the power and achievement of women, thereby felicitating the 'Lakshmi of India.' Further elaborating the 'Bharat ki Laxmi' initiative PM said, "We had decided to do something different this Diwali. I had urged all of you to celebrate India’s Nari Shakti, the power and achievement of women, thereby felicitating the Lakshmi of India." PM Modi's new campaign 'Bharat Ki Laxmi' is aimed at empowering the women of the country. In his address to the nation during the 57th edition of 'Mann Ki Baat', the Prime Minister said that it is time we felicitate daughters and he urged the citizens to share stories of women achievers they know of with the hashtag #BharatkiLaxmi. Soon #Bharatkilaxmi started trending on social media. PM also shared the video and said that India’s Nari Shakti epitomises talent and tenacity, determination and dedication and stated Indian ethos has always taught us to strive for women empowerment. 

READ | 'Bharat Ki Laxmi' To Salute 'Nari Shakti' Of India This Diwali