In his 130th ‘Mann Ki Baat’ broadcast, kicking off 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a compelling vision for India’s industrial future. Echoing the startup boom since 2016, he hailed the youth-led revolution that positioned India as the third-largest startup hub globally.
From artificial intelligence to space exploration, nuclear power to biotech, Indian startups are pioneering every frontier. Modi shared a personal throwback to Startup India’s inception, praising innovators who dared to dream big. Yet, amid this success, he drew a line: the era of mediocrity must end.
‘Forget ‘chalta hai’ attitudes—quality is non-negotiable now,’ Modi emphasized. With the world watching India’s economic ascent, industries must prioritize excellence in every output, be it apparel, gadgets, or packaging solutions. He called on entrepreneurs to adopt uncompromising standards.
Shifting to inspiring tales of public involvement, Modi highlighted Azamgarh’s Tamsa River revival. Once choked by pollution, community efforts cleansed its waters and greened its banks, restoring its flow to the Ganga. In Anantapur, locals tackled drought via reservoir cleanups under the Anant Neeru project, reviving water bodies and planting thousands of trees.
These stories underscore India’s innovative spirit and collective power. ‘When people unite, miracles happen,’ Modi said, fueling the country’s path to becoming a development superpower.