Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed his 3rd monthly radio address 'Mann Ki Baat' after being re-elected for a second term in May.

PM Modi dedicated today's radio address to India's father of nation and freedom father Mahatma Gandhi and said preparations are underway in the entire world to mark his 150th birth anniversary.

Speaking in his address, PM said, "Preparations are underway for a mega festival in India. Not just in India, it is a part of the discourse in the whole world. I’m referring to the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi."

The Prime Minister in his address to the nation urged people to celebrate this year's Gandhi Jayanti by making India plastic-free.

"When we celebrate Mahatma Gandhi's 150th anniversary we'll not only be dedicated to him an open defecation free India but also kick-starting a mass movement for making India plastic-free. I appeal to all to celebrate this yr's Gandhi Jayanti by freeing Mother India of plastic," PM Modi said.

Putting his emphasis on cleanliness, PM Modi said, "O glorious children of Mother India, you may remember that for the last few years, we have been running a countrywide campaign ‘Swachchata Hi Sewa’, ‘the quest for cleanliness is service’. Home or the neighbourhood lane, street circles, crossings, or drains, schools and colleges … we have to involve ourselves in a mega campaign of ensuring cleanliness at public places."

PM Modi also said, "Let us celebrate Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary as a special ‘Shramdaan’ Festival, where everyone will donate one’s own labour."

Further speaking about Gandhi, PM Modi said, "He served communities in South Africa that were bearing the brunt of apartheid. He served farmers in Champaran who were being discriminated against. He served millworkers who were being underpaid."

"As I converse with you, my attention is drawn towards two Mohans. One is Sudarshan Chakra bearing Mohan and other is Charkha bearing Mohan," PM said.

"Spinning-wheel bearing Mohan too chose a similar path, for the sake of Freedom, for preserving human values, for strengthening the basic elements of personality & character. He served communities in South Africa that were bearing the brunt of apartheid. He served farmers in Champaran who were being discriminated against. He served millworkers who were being underpaid," PM Modi said while speaking on Gandhi.

The Prime Minister also talked about his appearance in popular discovery TV channel show Man vs Wild. People have expressed a desire to know more about the 'Man vs. Wild’ television episode aired on Discovery Channel, he said.

"Whoever I meet or wherever there is a chance to talk, the focus is on Wildlife, discussions about the environment, the Tiger, the Asiatic Lion, evolution etc. and I am amazed how interested people are in nature. It is my firm belief that people want to know the steps taken in the direction of climate justice and clean environment in India," he added.

"Some people ask me one thing albeit with some hesitation - Modi ji, you were speaking in Hindi and Bear Grylls does not know Hindi, so how did you carry on such a fast conversation between the two of you? Our country is full of diversity and this wide range of diversity will also inculcate variations within you as a teacher. Your life will be enriched," said PM Modi.

PM Modi: A lot of people wanted to know how Bear Grylls understood my Hindi. People asked whether it was edited or shot multiple times. Technology acted as bridge between me & him. A cordless device attached to his ear translated Hindi into English simultaneously. pic.twitter.com/yE0iSwQOUW — ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2019

Further speaking on wildlife and conservation of tigers, PM Modi said, "The Tiger Summit took place in 2010 at St. Petersburg, Russia. At this summit, a resolution was taken expressing concern about the dwindling tiger population in the world. Whenever we talk about nature and wildlife, we only talk about conservation. But, we now have to move beyond conservation and think about compassion."

Highlights of PM Modi's 'Mann Ki Baat' radio address to the nation

Speaking about Gandhi, PM Modi said, "He served the poor, the destitute, the weak and the hungry… he took it as life’s prime duty. He presented shining examples through the medium of service in his own life."

Gandhiji shared an unbreakable bond with truth; he shared a similar unique bond with the spirit of service. He emphasized not only on the spirit of service, but also on the inner happiness it led to.

Mahatma Gandhi, of course, became the voice of innumerable Indians, in the larger backdrop of upholding human values & human dignity; in a way, he had become the voice of the world.

I have been extremely fortunate to have been blessed with the opportunity to visit a number of significant places associated with revered Mahatma Gandhi and pay my homage.

There could be a Ladies’ club! Routine tasks of a modern-day Ladies’ club shall be taken up, but besides that, let all members of the Ladies’ club come together and perform an activity of service! We can do a lot.

A few months ago, I was in Dandi. In our Freedom struggle, the salt Satyagrah at Dandi was an important turning point. There I’d inaugurated a state of the art museum dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi.

There is a famous art show called the Venice Biennale’. This time, in the India Pavilion at the Venice Biennale’, a very interesting exhibition based on memories of Gandhiji was organized. Of special interest were Haripura Panels.

Before the Haripura (Congress) Session, in 1937-38, Mahatma Gandhi had invited the then Principal of Shantiniketan Kala Bhavan, Nandlal Bose. Once again, along with greetings on Gandhiji’s 150th birth anniversary, I express my expectations from every Indian, of one resolve or the other:

Under the ‘Poshan Abhiyaan’ campaign, nutrition made available with the help of modern scientific methods is being converted into a mass movement all over the country.

‘Mutthi Bhar Dhaanya’ initiative has turned into a big movement in Nashik. During harvest period, Anganwadi workers collect handful of rice grain from people. This grain is used to make piping hot food for children & women. In many states, people run meal campaigns on certain dates.

There are many little things that can be employed in our country’s effective fight against malnutrition. Today, due to lack of awareness, both poor and affluent families are affected by malnutrition.

My dear countrymen, who can forget the historic speech of Swami Vivekananda delivered on September 11, 1893. Come, let us look anew at India which Swami Vivekananda had seen and let us put in practice the inherent strength of India realized by Swami Vivekananda. We possess everything within us, let us proceed with confidence.

My dear countrymen, all of you will remember that the 29th of August is celebrated as 'National Sports Day. Let us proceed, enjoying our inner bliss, expressing our spirit of service.

Previously, in the second episode of 'Mann Ki Baat' which was aired a week before the abrogation of Article 370, the Prime Minister had discussed Kashmir, saying that "those who spread hatred will never succeed in their nefarious plans".

He had also asserted that the power of development was stronger than the might of "bullets and bombs".

The programme is broadcast on the last Sunday of the month and suggestions, stories and ideas are invited from people for it.