Context:

On 28 December 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation in the 129th episode of Mann Ki Baat, his final broadcast of the year. The address highlighted India’s achievements across security, culture, science, governance, and people-driven initiatives, reflecting the government’s emphasis on inclusive development and cultural pride.

Tamil Language Initiatives:

• • • During Mann Ki Baat, the Prime Minister underscored efforts to promote Tamil—one of the world’s oldest living classical languages—both domestically and internationally.
    • The Fiji Tamil Language Project aims to reconnect descendants of Girmitiyas with their linguistic and cultural roots through the deployment of Tamil teachers in Fiji Sangam schools.
    • Simultaneously, the Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS) strengthens North–South cultural linkages. The fourth edition, KTS 4.0, themed “Tamil Karkalam”, encourages Hindi-speaking youth in Varanasi to learn Tamil. Together, these initiatives highlight India’s cultural unity, diaspora outreach, and linguistic inclusiveness.

Buddhist Stupas of Zehanpora–Baramulla:

• • • The Prime Minister also drew attention to the discovery of ancient Buddhist stupas near Baramulla, emphasising Kashmir’s rich and plural civilisational heritage.
    • The Kushan-era archaeological complex at Zehanpora, dating back nearly 2,000 years, includes stupas, monastic structures, pottery, and Gandharan-style terracotta art. Linked to ancient trade routes and visited by the Chinese traveller Xuanzang, the site reshapes historical understanding of Kashmir as a significant centre of Buddhism.
    • The Prime Minister highlighted how archaeology helps revive forgotten histories, strengthens national pride, and serves as a bridge between the past and the present.

Parvati Giri:

• • • Referring to the forthcoming 77th Republic Day, the Prime Minister remembered Parvati Giri of Odisha as an unsung hero of India’s freedom struggle. She joined the Quit India Movement at the age of 16 and later devoted her life to social service, earning the title “Mother Teresa of Western Odisha.”
    • Her contributions included establishing orphanages, working for tribal welfare, leprosy eradication, and prison reforms. She consciously declined political office to continue serving society. Her birth centenary in 2026 highlights grassroots leadership, women’s participation in nation-building, and Gandhian ideals of selfless service.

Narasapuram Lace Craft, Andhra Pradesh:

• • • The Prime Minister praised the Narasapuram lace craft as a model of how traditional skills can drive women-led development. This nearly 150-year-old handmade crochet lace tradition, now a GI-tagged product, provides livelihoods to lakhs of women across rural Andhra Pradesh.
    • Originating in Narsapur, located on the banks of the Godavari, the craft is known for its intricate crochet designs. With support from the state government, NABARD, and the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), artisans receive skill training, design innovation, and improved market access, strengthening rural and women-centric economic empowerment.