New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted the recognition of 12 Maratha forts collectively as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in his address for the 124th edition of his radio programme, ‘Mann Ki Baat’.
The forts, spread across Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, collectively, can now be called ‘Maratha Military Landscapes of India’, as named by the Indian government in the nomination dossier submitted to UNESCO for World Heritage status in 2024-25.
“Eleven forts in Maharashtra; one in Tamil Nadu. Each fort has a chapter of history attached to it. Every stone is a testimony to a historical event,” Prime Minister Modi asserted as he took listeners on a journey through India’s rich cultural, historical, and ecological heritage.
His ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address highlighted several of India’s recent achievements and milestones—from Shubhanshu Shukla’s space mission to rare bird surveys. Besides, Prime Minister Modi also dived into the excitement surrounding the upcoming festive season.
The UNESCO recognition, which came at the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee held in Paris, made the ‘Maratha Military Landscapes of India’ the country’s 44th property to receive such global recognition.
The twelve forts included in the UNESCO listing are Salher, Shivneri, Lohagad, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg, and Sindhudurg—all in Maharashtra—and Gingee in Tamil Nadu.
Prime Minister Modi encouraged citizens to visit the historic forts and learn more about India’s rich past.
“These forts are not just bricks and stones; they are symbols of our rich heritage. Values and self-respect still echo from the high walls of these forts. I urge the citizens to visit them, learn about their history, and take pride in it,” he added.
Month of revolution
Reflecting on the significance of the upcoming month in India’s freedom struggle in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reminded listeners that August is a month of sacrifice and revolution, leading to Independence.
Modi highlighted freedom fighters, such as Khudiram Bose and the countless unnamed heroes, who laid down their lives for the nation. Paying tribute to Khudiram Bose—in particular—the Prime Minister said, “Let us not merely remember them in textbooks, but live by their ideals.”
Khudiram Bose was sentenced to death at the age of 18 during British rule over the Muzaffarpur Conspiracy Case—an attempted assassination of a British judge
The Prime Minister also called on citizens to keep the legacy of Indian revolutionaries alive through acts of service, civic responsibility, and unwavering patriotism.
“When Khudiram Bose walked towards the gallows, there was a smile on his face,” he recalled during his ‘Mann ki Baat‘ address. “After such countless sacrifices, after centuries of penance, we attained Independence. The country’s die-hard patriots nurtured the freedom movement with their blood.”
Prime Minister Modi also reminded listeners of 7 August, the day the Swadeshi Movement began in 1905, breathing new life into the Indian handloom industry. Now celebrated as the ‘National Handloom Day’, 7 August inspired success stories in the handloom sector from Maharashtra to Bihar and Odisha, the Prime Minister stated. “Just like Khadi strengthened the freedom movement, today our textile sector is a pillar of progress,” he added.
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Homecoming of Shubhanshu Shukla
The 124th edition of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ started with Prime Minister Modi’s celebration of the return of astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla—a proud moment for the nation as Shukla became the second Indian after Rakesh Sharma to go to space and the first Indian to board the International Space Station (ISS).
Prime Minister Modi recalled how the country came together to honour the historic achievement, marking a significant milestone in the Indian space journey. He also recalled the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 in August 2023, calling it another defining moment, which will inspire the youth and ignite a passion for space and science across the country.”The recent years have witnessed a surge in interest towards space, science, and innovation,” the Prime Minister added.
Shubhanshu Shukla’s participation in the Axiom 4 Mission made history at a time when the Indian space start-up ecosystem is growing rapidly—a fact the PM mentioned in his address. “Just five years ago, the country had fewer than 50 companies in this sector. Today, that number has grown to over 200 space-focused start-ups, driving technological advancements, creating employment, and propelling India’s ambitions in global space exploration,” he said.
First-ever grassland bird census
During his ‘Mann ki Baat’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also turned his focus to wildlife and conservation at one time. He highlighted a groundbreaking initiative from Kaziranga National Park in Assam, which, for the first time, saw a dedicated Grassland Bird Census. The survey focused specifically on bird species that depend on Kaziranga’s unique grassland ecosystem.
“This is a significant milestone in our conservation efforts,” PM Modi said.
The survey, a collaboration among forest officials, scientists, and bird watchers, has deepened the understanding of grassland bird biodiversity in Kaziranga. In the census, more than 40 bird species, including several rare ones, were identified.
Prime Minister Modi explained that the identification process became possible through a combination of expert knowledge and modern technology. The team installed sound recording devices in the fields, and the recorded bird calls were later analysed using Artificial Intelligence, allowing researchers to identify the bird species without disturbing them. “When technology and sensitivity come together, understanding nature becomes so easy and deep,” he said.
The Prime Minister also encouraged young naturalists and researchers to participate in such initiatives, emphasising the critical role of protecting and celebrating the country’s rich biodiversity.
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)
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