In the 133th episode of the monthly radio address Mann Ki Baat, broadcast on April 26, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on pivotal national developments, emphasizing the massive scale of the ongoing Indian census and praising regional micro-entrepreneurship. The Prime Minister described the national census as the most extensive administrative campaign of its kind globally, highlighting that teams have already successfully listed 1.2 crore houses across the country. Simultaneously, the address spotlighted the agricultural achievements of Pratapgarh in Uttar Pradesh, where local women are leading a quiet economic revolution through gooseberry processing, a development that drew praise from regional leaders.
The Scale of the National Census Drive
During his address, Prime Prime Minister Narendra Modi focused heavily on the logistical marvel of the Indian census, framing it as a critical pillar for future planning and development. He stated that the census represents the world's largest campaign, requiring immense coordination and effort. Offering a status update on the mammoth exercise, the Prime Minister announced that preliminary listing operations have already covered 1 crore 20 lakh households. This massive data collection drive is expected to lay the groundwork for targeted welfare schemes, infrastructure planning, and resource allocation across diverse demographic segments in the coming years.
Pratapgarh Amla and Economic Empowerment of Women
Another major highlight of the broadcast was the celebration of grassroots success stories, specifically focusing on the cultivation and processing of amla in Pratapgarh. The Prime Minister lauded the local women, describing them as a driving force of prosperity that is carving out new avenues of financial independence. By processing the locally grown fruit into value-added products like candies, juices, and preserves, these women-led groups have successfully turned a seasonal agricultural crop into a sustainable, year-round source of income. This spotlight underscores how regional agricultural specialties can trigger broader economic growth when backed by community participation.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Welcomes the Recognition
Following the broadcast, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath shared his appreciation on the social media platform X, noting that the Prime Minister's praise has brought immense pride to the entire state. Yogi Adityanath emphasized that this success is a direct result of the state's flagship One District One Product (ODOP) initiative, which has breathed new life into local traditional industries. The Chief Chief Minister pointed out that the promotional push from the ODOP program has facilitated the establishment of approximately 100 amla processing units in the region. This network of small enterprises has not only elevated the quality of processing but has also generated substantial employment opportunities for women in rural areas.
About Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh is India's most populous state and ranks fourth in terms of total geographical area. The city of Lucknow serves as the administrative and legislative capital of the state, while Prayagraj functions as its judicial headquarters. Other major urban and cultural centers include Agra, Kanpur, Varanasi, and Gorakhpur. The state shares its borders with Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh to the north, Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan to the west, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to the south, and Bihar and Jharkhand to the east. Additionally, Uttar Pradesh shares an international boundary with Nepal along its northern edge.
Public Reaction
The Prime Minister's address and the Chief Chief Minister's subsequent remarks generated wide-ranging discussions among the public. While many social media users congratulated the residents of Pratapgarh and praised the tangible impact of the ODOP scheme on rural livelihoods, others took the opportunity to flag persistent governance issues, such as requests for the regularization of contract health workers (ANMs) who have served for over a decade, complaints regarding unscheduled power cuts in parts of Lucknow, and appeals for the repair of damaged village roads.
