'Not Less Than a Pilgrimage': PM Modi Marks 12 Years of Mann Ki Baat in 139th Episode

Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the 139th episode of Mann Ki Baat on Sunday to mark 12 years of the monthly radio programme, first aired on Vijayadashami on October 3, 2014. Calling the journey a pilgrimage and listeners his fellow travellers, he said the programme celebrates the extraordinary work of ordinary Indians. The episode's grassroots spotlights included the Heval river revival in Tehri Garhwal and Punjab's natural-cotton Nav-Trinjan initiative in Malwa.

Awaaz Punjab Investigations Desk25 October 20263 min readRead in all 3 languages

New Delhi — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday marked 12 years of his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat', calling the journey 'not less than a pilgrimage' in the 139th episode, broadcast on All India Radio and Doordarshan, according to IANS.

Source: IANS via hi INDiA

The first episode aired on October 3, 2014, coinciding with Vijayadashami. 'Twelve years ago, on the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami, we began Mann Ki Baat. Since then, our journey has continued uninterrupted. All of you have been both fellow travellers and inspiration of this journey,' Modi said, as reported by IANS.

Source: IANS via hi INDiA

139thEpisode broadcast on Sunday, October 25, 2026

12 yearsSince the first episode on October 3, 2014

October 3, 2014First broadcast, coinciding with Vijayadashami

'Our country has had a tradition of pilgrimages for centuries. For me, Mann Ki Baat is not less than a pilgrimage to closely understand the efforts of people of the country and to pay tributes to their contributions. People who live for society and country are themselves like places of pilgrimage,' the Prime Minister added. He thanked listeners, saying the 'warmth and affection of all you listeners is truly an invaluable asset for me.'

Source: IANS via hi INDiA

Among the grassroots efforts highlighted in and around the episode, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh shared the revival of the Heval river in Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, where residents and the local administration used rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and mass plantation, also restoring dozens of surrounding natural water sources, Nation Press reported.

Source: Nation Press (Dr Jitendra Singh highlights)

The episode also spotlighted Punjab's Kheti Virasat Mission and its Nav-Trinjan initiative in the Malwa belt, which grows chemical-free, naturally coloured organic cotton so the yarn and fabric need no chemical dyeing, and runs a weaving school that Modi said has changed the lives of many women, Town Post reported, citing Amar Ujala's report of the address. In a post on X, Modi called the efforts highlighted in the episode 'very inspiring'.

Source: Town Post (Mann Ki Baat, Punjab cotton spotlight)

Sources: IANS report, October 25, 2026, via hi INDiA; Nation Press, October 25, 2026; Town Post, October 25, 2026, citing Amar Ujala.

Source: IANS via hi INDiA