Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (February 22, 2026) highlighted strides made by India in the field of artificial intelligence, saying the AI summit showcased how animals were being treated in the country with the help of AI and how farmers were keeping track of their livestock and dairy.
Addressing his monthly radio broadcast ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Mr. Modi also asked people to remain vigilant against online financial fraud and digital arrest.
Referring to the recently concluded AI Summit, Mr. Modi said two products impressed leaders from around the world – the first was at the Amul booth where it was showcased how AI is helping treat animals and how, with AI assistance, farmers are keeping track of their dairy and livestock 24×7.
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Mr. Modi said the second was related to Indian culture.
“Leaders from around the world were amazed to see how, with the help of AI, the country is preserving ancient knowledge and manuscripts, and adapting them to suit today’s generation,” he said.
Several heads of State, global leaders in artificial intelligence (AI), academicians and researchers, heads of global tech giants and philanthropists attended the just concluded India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi.
On the growing incidents of digital frauds, the prime minister said when people receive messages from banks asking them to update KYC or do re-KYC, a question naturally arises in why it should be done again since it was already done.
“My request to you is: please don’t get annoyed. This is only for the security of your own money,” he said, adding KYC is crucial for an individual’s bank account’s safety.
Mr. Modi also noted that numerous players of Indian origin are bringing pride to the countries they represent and this is clearly visible in the T20 World Cup.
“The Canada team has the highest number of players of Indian origin. Team captain Dilpreet Bajwa was born in Gurdaspur, Punjab. Navneet Dhaliwal is from Chandigarh. This list includes many names like Harsh Thaker and Shreyas Movva, who are enhancing the pride of both Canada and India. Many faces in the USA team have come from India’s domestic cricket,” he said.
The Prime Minister also paid tributes to former chief minister of Tamil Nadu J Jayalalithaa, whose birth anniversary falls on February 24.
“Amma Jayalalithaa ji lives in the heats of people across Tamil Nadu,” he said.
Mr. Modi also mentioned about the centuries-old Mamangam tradition, often called the Kerala Kumbh, which has come alive again after nearly 250 years.
Use ‘swadeshi’ products during festivals, remember to be ‘vocal for local’
Mr. Modi strongly pitched for use of ‘swadeshi’ products during festivals and asked people to always remember to be ‘vocal for local’.
Mr. Modi said the Islamic holy month Ramzan is currently going on and wished everyone the best for the occasion.
Holi is also coming in a few days and this means that a time filled with colours, gulal, and laughter is about to knock at our doors, he added.
“May you all celebrate all festivals happily with your family and loved ones. And yes, always remember some mantras, like being vocal for local,” Mr. Modi said.
The Prime Minister said many foreign-made products have entered the Holi celebrations, or even other festivals.
“Keep them away from festivals, keep them away from Holi as well, and adopt ‘swadeshi’. When you buy swadeshi, you also help in the campaign to make the country self-reliant,” he said.
Indian-origin players bringing pride to respective countries; hallmark of Indianness: PM Modi
Countless Indian-origin players are bringing pride to their respective countries and this is the hallmark of Indianness as wherever they go, Indians remain connected to their roots and contribute to the development of the place they live and work in, Mr. Modi said.
In his monthly “Mann Ki Baat” radio address, Mr. Modi noted that numerous players of Indian origin are bringing pride to the countries they represent and this is clearly visible in the ongoing T20 World Cup.
“I often say, ‘The one who plays, blooms’. Sports also unite us. These days, you must be watching the T20 World Cup matches. And I am very sure that while watching the matches, many times your eyes must have been fixed on a particular player.
“The jersey is that of some other country, but on hearing the name, you feel that this person is from our country. Then a slight joy arises in some corner of the heart,” he said.
The Prime Minister pointed out that these Indian-origin players represent the countries where their families have settled.
They step into the field wearing the jerseys of their respective countries and represent their teams wholeheartedly, he said.
Mr. Modi pointed out that Canada has the highest number of Indian-origin players among all the teams playing in the T20 World Cup.
PM Modi flags success stories of farmers in better land use, water saving, extra income
A Kerala village’s success in growing 570 varieties of rice in a single field and how a Odisha farmer has secured extra income through better land use and water savings were flagged by Mr. Modi in his monthly radio broadcast, “Mann Ki Baat”.
Mr. Modi said the results of the country’s farmers’ hard work are reflected in the statistics and India has now become the world’s largest rice producer.
He said producing more than 150 million tons of rice is no small achievement as the country is meeting its own needs and contributing to the global food basket.
Mr. Modi said farmers are not just food providers, they are the true devotees of the earth and people should learn from them farmers how to turn soil into gold.
He said many farmers are blending tradition and technology, and some are focussing not just on production but also on quality, value addition and new markets.
He said the story of a young farmer from Odisha named Hirod Patel is truly inspiring. Until about eight years ago, Patel cultivated paddy in the traditional way with his father, Shiv Shankar Patel, but then, he began to approach farming from a new perspective.
“He built a strong mesh structure over his farm’s pond, grew creeper vegetables on it, planted bananas, guavas and coconuts around the pond, and also started fish farming in the pond,” the prime minister said.
In other words, he said, traditional farming, growing vegetables and fruits and fish cultivation have been undertaken in one place and this has led to better land use, water savings and additional income. “Today, farmers from far and wide come over to see his model,” Mr. Modi said.
In Kerala’s Thrissur, there is a village where 570 varieties of rice are grown in a single field, the prime minister noted.
“This includes local varieties, herbal varieties and even varieties imported from other states. This is not just farming, it is a massive campaign to preserve seed heritage,” he said.
Mr. Modi said agricultural products are now reaching foreign countries more easily by air like Nanjangud bananas from Karnataka, Mysuru betel leaves and Indi lemons were exported to the Maldives.
“These products are known for their taste and quality, and have even received the GI tag. Today’s farmer seeks quality, is also increasing quantity and making his mark as well,” he said.
PM Modi talks about importance of organ donation
In his Mann ki Baat speech, Mr. Modi highlighted the noble gesture of organ donations and said awareness about such kind move is helping those who are in need of it besides strengthening medical research in the country.
Mr. Modi talked about death of a 10-month-old girl, Aalin Sherin Abraham, from Kerala whose parents decided to donate her organs.
He said there is no greater sorrow for any parent than losing their young child.
“Just a few days ago, we lost Aalin Sherin Abraham, a little innocent girl from Kerala. She left this world at the age of just 10 months. Imagine, she had a whole life ahead of her, which abruptly ended. So many dreams and joys remained unfulfilled. The pain her parents must be undergoing is beyond any expression in words,” he said.
But, even amidst such profound pain, Mr. Modi said Aalin’s father, Arun Abraham, and mother, Sherin, made a decision that has filled up the heart of every citizen with respect.
The parents decided to donate Aalin’s organs and this single decision reveals the expanse of their thinking and the magnitude of their personality, he said.
“While on one hand they grieved the loss of their daughter, on the other they were also filled with a spirit of helping others.
“They wanted that no family experiences such a fate. Aalin Sherin Abraham is no longer with us, but her name has joined the ranks of the nation’s youngest organ donors,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the awareness about organ donation is steadily rising in India these days and this is helping those who are in need of it.
He said it is also strengthening medical research in the country and many organisations and individuals are doing extraordinary work in this direction.
Like Aalin, there are many people who have given a second life to someone through organ donation, Mr. Modi added.
For example, he said, Lakshmi Devi from Delhi, who travelled to Kedarnath last year.
For that she had to trek 14 kilometers and people will be surprised to know that she undertook this trek after a heart transplant, he said.
Devi’s heart was functioning only at 15 per cent and then she received the heart of a deceased donor which transformed her life completely.
Mr. Modi said Gaurang Banerjee from West Bengal has been to Nathu La, which is located 14,000 feet above sea level, twice.
The special aspect is that Banerjee achieved this feat after a lung transplant and Ramdev Singh of Sikar, Rajasthan, had to undergo a kidney transplant and after that he is excelling in sporting activities, he said.
“You will come across many such inspiring examples. This proves once again that a single noble act can change the lives of countless people. I heartily commend all those who have undertaken such noble deeds,” Mr. Modi said.