MUMBAI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation in the 69th edition of the popular radio programme Mann ki Baat on Sunday. In his latest address, PM Modi hailed the passage of the key farm-sector bills and said it will empower farmers and give them freedom to sell their produce. He also espoused Mahatma Gandhi's economic philosophy and added that the country would have been self-reliant by now if we had followed in his footsteps. The Prime Minister also shares some of the success stories of farmers.

“But there are issues with some of the families. Some families have lost touch with their values,” he said, adding that stories can help reinvigorate such families.

“There has been a thriving tradition of telling stories in India. There is an important tradition of storytelling in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It is called Villu Pattu,” said PM Modi, talking about the various forms of storytelling prevalent in India.

He then spoke to people involved in this field. It included a group of women who run Bengaluru Storytelling Society and even asked them to narrate a story.

“I urge all storytellers to include all inspirational stories from the period of foreign rule as we are going to celebrate 75 years of independence. Especially between 1857 & 1947. We can introduce our new generation to them in the form of stories,” he further said.

He then moved on to farm bills, which was passed by Parliament recently. He said that these bills will empower farmers and give them freedom to sell their produce.

PM Modi then talked about the farmers who have benefitted by the policies of his government since 2014. However, the issue has been controversial with the government facing the heat from the Opposition as well as its allies. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), the oldest ally of BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), quit the alliance over the issue.

The Prime Minister also hailed the courage, bravery and valour of soldiers who carried out surgical strikes in 2016.

“Four years ago, around this time, the world witnessed the courage, bravery and valour of our soldiers during a surgical strike. Our brave soldiers had just one mission and goal - to protect the glory and honour of mother India at any cost,” he said.

‘Mann ki Baat’ is a radio programme, aired on All India Radio on the last Sunday of every month, through which the Prime Minister interacts with the nation.