Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], November 10 (HBTV): As part of the Dil Ki Baat programme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with 2,500 children who successfully recovered from congenital heart diseases during the Gift of Life ceremony at Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospital in Nava Raipur, Chhattisgarh, on Sunday.
A young hockey player shared that she had won five medals and was diagnosed with a heart condition during a school check-up. She underwent surgery six months ago and continues to play hockey. When the Prime Minister asked about her dreams, she said she wished to become a doctor and treat children, to which PM Modi warmly asked if she would treat elders as well — a question she answered affirmatively.
Another child shared that she underwent surgery a year ago and also aspired to become a doctor to serve others. When PM Modi asked if she had cried during the operation, she said she had not, and recited a motivational poem that drew the Prime Minister’s appreciation.
A boy who had surgery in 2014, at just 14 months old, said he was now healthy and actively playing cricket. The Prime Minister asked if he continued with regular check-ups and was glad to hear that he did and had no health problems. When the child requested to meet him up close, PM Modi happily obliged.
Interacting with another young boy, the Prime Minister asked how he felt during hospital visits and injections. The boy replied that he was unafraid, which helped in his recovery. PM Modi commended his courage and honesty.
A Class 7 student expressed her wish to become a teacher to educate underprivileged children for free, saying education was key to the nation’s progress.
The Prime Minister then asked the children if they knew whose centenary year had begun and informed them it was that of Sathya Sai Baba. He recounted Baba’s contribution to resolving severe water scarcity around Puttaparthi, where he provided drinking water to about 400 villages.
‘The 100th year of Sathya Sai Baba has started. There was a scarcity of water around Puttaparthi. There was no water for irrigation or drinking. He worked on it and provided water to 400 villages. Even governments have to plan a lot before doing anything like this. This gives us a message to preserve water and plant more trees. I am running a campaign called Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam. We should plant a tree for our mother. We repay our debt to Mother Earth and to our mothers,’ he said.
PM Modi emphasised the importance of water conservation and tree plantation through his campaign Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, encouraging everyone to plant trees in their mother’s name as a tribute to both Mother Earth and their own mothers.
A boy named Abhik from West Bengal shared his dream of joining the Indian Army to serve the nation, which PM Modi praised. Another girl expressed her happiness at meeting the Prime Minister, saying she had always wanted to see him in person after watching him in the news.
PM Modi expressed joy in interacting with the children and highlighted that good health is vital to achieving success in life. He encouraged them to practise yoga, maintain a regular sleep routine, and remain mindful of their well-being.
During his visit to Chhattisgarh, the Prime Minister also addressed the Rajat Mahotsav marking 25 years of the state’s formation. He inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for developmental projects worth over INR 14,260 crore, covering sectors such as roads, industry, healthcare, and energy.
(ANI)