PANAJI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Sunday, spotlighted Goa in his monthly Mann Ki Baat programme, praising a retired school teacher from Canacona for resolving a drinking water crisis in his village and highlighting the state’s traditional kokum-based beverages as effective summer refreshments.
During the broadcast, Modi lauded Balkrishna Ayya, a retired teacher from Loliem, Canacona, for his initiative in addressing a long-standing drinking water shortage affecting residents of the Hundolle-Madditalap area.
The Prime Minister said Ayya stepped in after observing that nearly 20 to 25 households were struggling to access potable water. Taking matters into his own hands, he dug a step-well that struck water at a depth of nearly 40 metres, installed a pump, and laid pipelines to supply water to neighbouring homes.
Describing the effort as an example of community-driven problem-solving, Modi said such initiatives demonstrate how individual commitment can bring meaningful change and improve lives at the grassroots level.
The Prime Minister also referred to Goa while speaking about precautions during the ongoing summer season and heatwave conditions. He encouraged people to stay hydrated and consume traditional regional beverages, specifically mentioning kokum drink and Sol Kadi as healthy options to beat the heat.
Modi urged citizens to follow advisories issued by authorities and adopt simple measures to stay safe during periods of extreme temperatures.
Speaking on India's rich agricultural diversity, the Prime Minister also celebrated the country's wide range of mango varieties, describing mangoes as one of the most beloved fruits of the summer season. He praised farmers for preserving and promoting the nation's agricultural heritage through generations.
However, while referring to popular mango varieties such as Maharashtra's Hapus and Alphonso from the Konkan region, Modi did not mention Goa's GI-tagged Mankurad mango, which is widely regarded as the State's signature mango variety.
