2025's first Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi praises EC for embracing technology, calls Maha Kumbh a symbol of unity

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the Election Commission (EC) on Sunday for its use of technology to enhance people's power and ensure a fair polling process. Speaking during his monthly Mann ki Baat broadcast, the first Mann Ki Baat of 2025 and 118th episode overall, Modi highlighted the EC's commitment to modernizing and strengthening the election process over time.

The praise for the poll body came ahead of its foundation day on January 25, observed as the National Voters' Day, and amid frequent criticism from the opposition for its alleged pro-BJP bias.

Modi emphasized the EC's role in using technology to empower citizens, urging people to actively participate in the polling process to strengthen democracy. His comments come amid frequent opposition questions regarding the integrity of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), and can be interpreted as an endorsement of the EVM system.

"It has used power of technology to strengthen people's power," he said, asking people to participate in the polling process in large numbers to be part of democratic process and empowering it.

The Prime Minister also recalled the doubts cast on India's viability as a democracy following independence but emphasized that the country had disproven those doubts. "India is the mother of democracy," Modi asserted.

The Mann ki Baat programme this month was held on the third Sunday, a departure from the usual last Sunday of the month, as next Sunday will coincide with Republic Day.

During the broadcast, Modi played short audio clips of prominent members of India's Constituent Assembly, including its chairman Rajendra Prasad, Bhim Rao Ambedkar, and Syama Prasad Mookerjee, to underline the values they championed. Modi recalled Ambedkar's call for collective effort for the greater good, and Prasad's emphasis on humanistic values.

“We should take inspiration from them to build an India our Constitution makers would have been proud of,” Modi said. He also noted that Republic Day would mark the 75th anniversary of the implementation of the Constitution.

PM Modi on also praised the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, calling it a powerful symbol of "unity in diversity." He lauded the significant participation of the youth in the historic religious event, emphasizing the importance of their involvement in preserving and strengthening the nation’s civilizational roots.

“It is true that when the young generation proudly joins its civilization, then its roots become stronger and its golden future is assured,” Modi said.

“The Maha Kumbh has commenced in Prayagraj. An unforgettable sea of humanity, incredible visuals, and an extraordinary confluence of equality and harmony. This time, many divine alignments are also converging at the Kumbh. This festival of Kumbh celebrates the festival of unity in diversity,” Modi said.

He emphasized how India’s rich traditions serve to bind the entire nation together, noting that the customs and beliefs associated with the Kumbh Mela are followed consistently from north to south.

“The Kumbh event also tells us how our traditions bind the whole of India together. The ways of adhering to the beliefs are the same from north to south. On one hand, the Kumbh is organized at Prayagraj, Ujjain, Nasik, and Haridwar; on the other, in the southern part, Pushkaram is organized on the banks of the Godavari, Krishna, Narmada, and Kaveri rivers,” he remarked.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the extensive use of digital technology in organizing this year's Kumbh Mela.

“This time, we are also witnessing the digital footprints of the Kumbh on such a large scale. This global popularity of the Kumbh is a matter of pride for every Indian,” Modi said.

(With inputs from PTI)