Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his gratitude to the people of India for embracing millets, also known as Shree Anna. He commended the ongoing enthusiasm for millets even years after the Millet Year was observed. Addressing the 130th episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi highlighted the increasing love for millets across the country.
Highlighting grassroots initiatives, PM Modi praised a group of women farmers in Tamil Nadu’s Kallakurichi district for their inspiring efforts. Approximately 800 women farmers associated with the Periyapalayam Millet FPC established a Millet Processing Unit to directly supply millet-based products to the market. In Rajasthan, farmers in Ramsar are also actively experimenting with millets, primarily cultivating pearl millet and producing popular ready-to-eat laddus.
PM Modi also mentioned the growing trend of using millets in religious offerings, noting that many temples now exclusively use millets in their prasad. He congratulated the temple administrators for this initiative. Emphasizing the nutritional benefits of millets, PM Modi highlighted their role in improving farmers’ incomes and public health. He encouraged the consumption of millets, known for their nutritional value, especially during the winter season.
