Modi's Mann ki Baat: Digital transactions rising; each one must teach another 125 to use BHIM app

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi today addressed the nation on his Mann Ki Baat radio show. The 29th edition of the prime minister's monthly radio programme came amid an ongoing election cycle.

The model code of conduct is still partially in place as two of Uttar Pradesh's seven phases of polling and Manipur's both phases of voting are yet to be carried out. The Election Commission had earlier given the government the go-ahead to air the show .

During his last Mann Ki Baat episode, which came just ahead of board examinations, Modi addressed students, urging them not to treat exams as a matter of life and death.

HERE ARE THE UPDATES FROM THE MODI's ADDRESS:

The whole world celebrates 8th March as Women’s Day. In India, more importance needs to be given to our daughters, he says, signing off.

References Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu's campaign to stop child marriages.

The programme is changing people's mindset, the prime minister says.

'Beti Bachao, Beti Badhao' is not just a government programme, it's a programme of social change.

Also praises the women's team that won the Asian Rugby Seven Trophy.

Modi now lauds the national blind cricket team that recently won the Blind T20 World Cup.

The officer himself cleaned the toilet pit, Modi notes.

Switches tracks to talk about clean India. Mentions how senior IAS officer recently took part in a drive to promote use of clean pit toilets in Telangana. 

2,700 tonne food grain produced, 8 per cent higher than the previous record, he says.

This year, we have record food grain production, Modi says.

Teach people how to use



the BHIM App on Ambedkar Jayanti on April 14, he urges.

Those associated with this movement are the country's anti-corruption cadres, Modi adds.

I urge citizens, especially the youth, to be ambassadors of the digital transaction movement, he says.

Modi belts out figures on the popularity of the government's digital transaction-promoting schemes.

10 lakh people have received rewards under the Digi Dhan scheme, he says.

Modi says digital transactions are becoming popular.

Goes on to talk about the importance of digital transactions, but hasn't mentioned demonetisation yet.

Our society is becoming technology-driven, Modi notes.

Another entry at the competition could combat hardships faced during floods.

The competition included a mobile app that can provide essential information to India's fishermen, the prime minister says.

NITI Ayog recently held  a competition for technologies that can be of social use, Modi says.

Quotes Mahatma Gandhi to say that biggest contribution of science is satisfying human need.

'The nation needs scientists.'

'Spirit of inquiry has played a major role in human development.'

Modi praises female scientists involved in ISRO's missions.

ISRO's cost-effective launches have been praised all over the world.

This is a proud achievement for the entire country, Modi says.

'ISRO achieved a world record by sending 104 satellites.'

Technology has made massive progress, Modi says, referencing the recent ISRO launch that put 104 satellites in space.

Modi begins his address quoting Sufi poet Amir Khusrow's verses about the arrival of the vasant ritu.