In the 129th episode of Mann Ki Baat, delivered on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reflected on key developments of 2025, focusing on India’s youth, technology-driven innovation, culture, and public health, while noticeably omitting references to worsening air pollution in the national capital.

Youth as the Nation’s Key Asset

Framing India’s young population as central to nation-building, PM Modi emphasized the role of youth in driving the country’s progress in a rapidly changing technological landscape. “Today’s life is becoming tech-driven, and the changes that used to happen over centuries, we are seeing them happen over a few years. At times, some people express concern whether robots are going to replace humans,” he said, stressing the importance of retaining human values and staying connected to cultural roots.

In line with this vision, Modi announced the second edition of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue, scheduled for January 12, coinciding with National Youth Day and the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, reinforcing the PM’s emphasis on engaging young citizens in leadership and nation-building.

Public Health Focus

The Prime Minister highlighted concerns raised by a recent ICMR report on antibiotic resistance, warning that diseases such as pneumonia and urinary tract infections (UTIs) are increasingly becoming difficult to treat due to indiscriminate antibiotic use. He urged citizens to consult medical professionals before using antibiotics, emphasizing the public health implications of misuse.

However, the broadcast did not address the severe air pollution that has affected Delhi-NCR throughout 2025, leaving a noticeable gap in public health commentary given the recurrent smog and rising particulate levels.

National Security and Cultural Pride

PM Modi also recounted significant national and international developments. On national security, he referenced Operation Sindoor, describing it as a source of pride and a demonstration of India’s uncompromising stance on security matters. He also highlighted the 150th anniversary of ‘Vande Mataram’, a topic that recently sparked parliamentary debate and sharp exchanges between the government and the Opposition over historical interpretations.

Cultural milestones were similarly celebrated. Modi recalled his ceremonial dip during the Mahakumbh at the start of the year and the flag-hoisting at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya at year-end, describing both as events that reinforced India’s faith, culture, and national identity.

Education, Innovation, and Grassroots Initiatives

Highlighting efforts to blend education with cultural enrichment, Modi praised initiatives such as Geetanjali at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, which evolved from a small music class into a cultural collective with over 200 participants, underscoring the importance of balancing STEM learning with arts and culture.

Innovation and problem-solving among youth were showcased through the Smart India Hackathon 2025, where students addressed over 200 real-world challenges, including cyber fraud, digital banking security, and village-level technological solutions, demonstrating the integration of technology with societal needs.

The PM also lauded grassroots efforts in Manipur, where Moirangthem Seth led solar panel installations in remote areas, providing electricity to households and health centres, enhancing livelihoods and healthcare access, particularly benefiting women. Modi linked these efforts to the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, a government scheme supporting rooftop solar installations.

Heritage, Language, and Global Outreach

On heritage, Modi referenced archaeological discoveries in Jammu and Kashmir’s Jehanpura region, where mounds were identified as ancient Buddhist stupas through scientific mapping and archival research involving French institutions.

Cultural outreach was highlighted through initiatives promoting Indian languages abroad, including Tamil programs in Fiji and multilingual learning schemes in Varanasi, where children with Hindi as their mother tongue studied Tamil.

Year-End Reflections and Closing

Opening the broadcast with visuals from 2025, including Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit and the women’s cricket team’s World Cup triumph, Modi framed the year as one that strengthened national confidence across sectors.

Concluding his address, the PM encouraged citizens to remain healthy during the winter season and promised that Mann Ki Baat would return in 2026 with new episodes addressing fresh issues. “This is the last episode of Mann Ki Baat in 2025. We will meet again in 2026. We will return with the same enthusiasm, energy and a sense of togetherness with new episodes, new issues,” he said.

While the address highlighted youth, innovation, and cultural pride, critics noted that pollution, a pressing public health concern, remained unmentioned, marking a notable omission in the Prime Minister’s year-end reflections.