From historic telemedicine feat to Northeast's millet resurgence: Key highlights from PM Modi’s 139th 'Mann Ki Baat'

139th 'Mann Ki Baat': Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the 139th episode of Mann Ki Baat, highlighted India’s transformative strides across digital public health, deeptech research and grassroots agriculture.

He announced that the national telemedicine initiative 'E-Sanjeevani' has achieved a historic milestone of nearly 50 crore (500 million) tele-consultations, ANI reported.

PM Modi highlights IIT Madras brain research, Northeast’s millet resurgence

PM Modi spotlighted groundbreaking scientific work at IIT Madras, where researchers are conducting a world-first 3D mapping of the human brain using the Param Shakti supercomputer, while also applauding inspiring grassroots efforts in Meghalaya and Nagaland that have revived traditional millet cultivation through value addition and community participation, the ANI report added.

On digital transformation in healthcare delivery, PM Modi said, "The 'E-Sanjeevani Programme' shows how technology can improve lives and make everyday tasks easier. It gives me great satisfaction to see that, through this, about 50 crore tele-consultations have been conducted so far. It is an excellent example of the power of technology, the spirit of service of our doctors, and the trust of our fellow citizens. Today, through its vast network, the E-Sanjeevani service has reached even remote parts of the country."

Spotlighting landmark achievements in deeptech and science, PM Modi lauded the 'Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre' at IIT Madras for developing a world-first brain imaging technology platform, the ANI report said.

"Through this, high-resolution digital 3D pictures of the human brain are being prepared. Their aim is to do 3D mapping of 100 human brains and study them in detail in the coming days. This is the first mission of its kind in the entire world. Param Shakti supercomputer is being used in this work. The country's industry, along with the government, has played a big role in the construction of this brain centre. Many alumni of IIT and academia have also come together for this research centre," he noted.

Northeast’s millet resurgence

Turning attention to the Northeast, the Prime Minister shared inspiring stories of youth-led innovation and the revival of traditional crops, the ANI report added.

He highlighted Khanduli village in Meghalaya's West Jaintia Hills, where two friends reversed the decline in millet farming through commercial value addition. "They focused on creating new products from millets.

Through value addition, they developed items such as cookies, cakes, and muffins, as well as baby food made from millets. This led to an increase in the sales of millet-based products and a subsequent rise in the demand for millets," he said.

The Prime Minister also highlighted milestones such as Bihar's Purnia makhana reaching Greece and Karnataka's Kalaburagi pulses entering the Maldives, while urging citizens to consciously prioritise locally crafted goods during the upcoming festive season of Diwali and Chhath to accelerate the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), the ANI report added.

"During this festive season, you must all have noticed a change around you. Now people have started giving a lot of importance to indigenous products while shopping. This spirit of 'Vocal for Local' is taking our products to markets around the world," PM Modi said.