Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said, India needs more scientists to harness technology for the benefit of the common man. <br/><br/>Addressing the nation through Mann Ki Baat programme on All India Radio, Mr Modi said, when science is harnessed keeping in mind the needs of the common people, it becomes the most valuable contributor to general humanity. <br/><br/>Mr Modi stressed upon making science more attractive for younger generation to produce more scientists. He called for developing interest in science subjects among children at school level.<br/><br/>Hailing the scientific community, the Prime Minister said, India created history by becoming the first country to successfully launch 104 satellites at one go. He said, ISRO's cost effective space programme has drawn world wide acclaim. <br/><br/>Mr Modi said, satellites of the United States, Israel, Kazakhstan, Switzerland, Netherlands, and UAE were among those launched by PSLV C 37 on the 15th of this month. He said, India's earth observation satellite Cartosat 2D will help in mapping of resources and infrastructure, evaluating development and planning for urban development. <br/><br/>The Prime Minister pointed out that farmers will be greatly benefited by Cartosat 2D as it will help in water resource mapping and monitoring. <br/><br/>Mr Modi said, it is also a matter of pride that the satellite launch is the 38th straight successful PSLV launch. He said, this is a historic achievement, not only for ISRO, but for the entire country. He also said that the latest ISRO launch was helmed by young scientists as well as women scientists. Mr Modi extended his greetings to them for their service to the nation and space technology. <br/><br/>The Prime Minister said, India has scaled new heights in the area of defence through the successful test firing of Ballistic Interceptor Missile. During its trial, the missile destroyed an enemy missile at an altitude of about 100 kilometres above the surface of the earth. <br/><br/>Mr Modi said, country is fast moving towards digital transactions. He said government has introduced schemes like Digi Dhan to give boost to digital economy. <br/><br/>The Prime Minister said, Lucky Grahak Yojana and Digi Dhan Vyapari Yojana have received overwhelming response from the people. <br/><br/>Recalling the 125th birth anniversary of B R Ambedkar held recently, Mr Modi asked youths to teach at least 125 people about BHIM App so that it could be taken to 125 crore people of the country.<br/><br/>The Prime Minister also mentioned recently held 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas where a unique competition to give impetus to innovation was organised. <br/><br/>He also mentioned about a Mobile App for fishermen, which gives location of most productive fishing zones and also provides information such as the direction and speed of the wind, and the height of waves. <br/><br/>Expressing happiness over record food grain production, Mr Modi said, two thousand 7 hundred lakh tonnes of food grain was produced this year. He said, this is 8 per cent more than the previous record. <br/><br/>Speaking about the forthcoming International Women's Day, the Prime Minister said, the movement of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao is progressing well. <br/><br/>He mentioned about various initiatives taken by different State Governments to educate and empower girl child. He said, Cuddalore district administration has banned child marriage under a special campaign and opened nearly 60 thousand bank accounts of girls under Sukanya Samridhi Yojana.<br/><br/>The Prime Minister hailed the involvement of individuals, organizations, agencies, government and society in the sanitation campaign. He said, the waste deposited in the pit gets completely decomposed in six to twelve months time and can be used as Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium, NPK which is a very useful fertilizer.<br/><br/>Mr Modi appreciated different Ministries who are taking forward the cleanliness drive through Swachhata Pakhwada. He said during the first fortnight of March, Women and Child Development Ministry along with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs will be laying stress on the Cleanliness Campaign. <br/><br/>The Prime Minister congratulated Indian Blind cricket team who won the T-20 world cup recently. He said, Divyang brothers and sisters are capable, strongly determined, courageous and possess tremendous resolve which should be learnt from them.<br/><br/>He also congratulated Rugby team members who won silver medals in women's Asian Rugby Sevens Trophy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said, India needs more scientists to harness technology for the benefit of the common man. <br/><br/>Addressing the nation through Mann Ki Baat programme on All India Radio, Mr Modi said, when science is harnessed keeping in mind the needs of the common people, it becomes the most valuable contributor to general humanity. <br/><br/>Mr Modi stressed upon making science more attractive for younger generation to produce more scientists. He called for developing interest in science subjects among children at school level.<br/><br/>Hailing the scientific community, the Prime Minister said, India created history by becoming the first country to successfully launch 104 satellites at one go. He said, ISRO's cost effective space programme has drawn world wide acclaim. <br/><br/>Mr Modi said, satellites of the United States, Israel, Kazakhstan, Switzerland, Netherlands, and UAE were among those launched by PSLV C 37 on the 15th of this month. He said, India's earth observation satellite Cartosat 2D will help in mapping of resources and infrastructure, evaluating development and planning for urban development. <br/><br/>The Prime Minister pointed out that farmers will be greatly benefited by Cartosat 2D as it will help in water resource mapping and monitoring. <br/><br/><br/>Mr Modi said, it is also a matter of pride that the satellite launch is the 38th straight successful PSLV launch. He said, this is a historic achievement, not only for ISRO, but for the entire country. He also said that the latest ISRO launch was helmed by young scientists as well as women scientists. Mr Modi extended his greetings to them for their service to the nation and space technology. <br/><br/>The Prime Minister said, India has scaled new heights in the area of defence through the successful test firing of Ballistic Interceptor Missile. During its trial, the missile destroyed an enemy missile at an altitude of about 100 kilometres above the surface of the earth. <br/><br/><br/>Mr Modi said, country is fast moving towards digital transactions. He said government has introduced schemes like Digi Dhan to give boost to digital economy. <br/><br/>The Prime Minister said, Lucky Grahak Yojana and Digi Dhan Vyapari Yojana have received overwhelming response from the people. <br/><br/>Recalling the 125th birth anniversary of B R Ambedkar held recently, Mr Modi asked youths to teach at least 125 people about BHIM App so that it could be taken to 125 crore people of the country.<br/><br/><br/>The Prime Minister also mentioned recently held 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas where a unique competition to give impetus to innovation was organised. <br/><br/>He also mentioned about a Mobile App for fishermen, which gives location of most productive fishing zones and also provides information such as the direction and speed of the wind, and the height of waves. <br/><br/>Expressing happiness over record food grain production, Mr Modi said, two thousand 7 hundred lakh tonnes of food grain was produced this year. He said, this is 8 per cent more than the previous record. <br/><br/>Speaking about the forthcoming International Women's Day, the Prime Minister said, the movement of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao is progressing well. <br/><br/>He mentioned about various initiatives taken by different State Governments to educate and empower girl child. He said, Cuddalore district administration has banned child marriage under a special campaign and opened nearly 60 thousand bank accounts of girls under Sukanya Samridhi Yojana.<br/><br/><br/>The Prime Minister hailed the involvement of individuals, organizations, agencies, government and society in the sanitation campaign. He said, the waste deposited in the pit gets completely decomposed in six to twelve months time and can be used as Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium, NPK which is a very useful fertilizer.<br/><br/><br/>Mr Modi appreciated different Ministries who are taking forward the cleanliness drive through Swachhata Pakhwada. He said during the first fortnight of March, Women and Child Development Ministry along with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs will be laying stress on the Cleanliness Campaign. <br/><br/>The Prime Minister congratulated Indian Blind cricket team who won the T-20 world cup recently. He said, Divyang brothers and sisters are capable, strongly determined, courageous and possess tremendous resolve which should be learnt from them.<br/><br/>He also congratulated Rugby team members who won silver medals in women's Asian Rugby Sevens Trophy.