New Delhi: Framing India’s youth as the cornerstone of nation-building in a rapidly evolving, technology-driven world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday delivered the 129th episode of Mann Ki Baat, his final radio address of 2025. Reflecting on key developments from the year gone by, the Prime Minister underlined innovation, culture, public health and grassroots initiatives as crucial focus areas as the country prepares to enter the new year.
The over 30-minute broadcast opened with visuals from significant moments of 2025, including Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to India and the Indian women’s cricket team’s World Cup triumph. Describing 2025 as a year that strengthened India’s confidence across sectors, Modi said the country had witnessed achievements that reinforced both its global standing and internal resolve.
Youth at the centre of India’s future
The Prime Minister stressed that India’s young population remained the nation’s biggest source of hope and energy. Emphasising the need to channel youthful talent towards constructive nation-building, he announced that the second edition of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue would be held on January 12, coinciding with National Youth Day and the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
Modi said the dialogue would provide a platform for young Indians to contribute ideas and leadership to India’s development journey. “Our youth are not just participants in change; they are the drivers of it,” he said, adding that empowering them with opportunities and responsibility was key to achieving a developed India.
Balancing technology with human values
Cautioning against losing human values amid rapid technological change, the Prime Minister reflected on how life has increasingly become tech-driven. “The changes that earlier took centuries are now happening in a few years. Some people even wonder whether robots will replace humans,” Modi said.
He emphasised that while technology was a powerful enabler, staying connected to India’s cultural roots was essential for holistic human development. According to him, culture, creativity and emotional intelligence would continue to distinguish humans even in an era of artificial intelligence and automation.
Innovation on campuses and beyond
Highlighting examples of innovation and creativity, Modi cited Geetanjali IISC at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. What began as a small music class, he said, had grown into a cultural collective with over 200 participants, after students felt the need for music and creativity alongside intense research and studies.
He also praised participants of the Smart India Hackathon 2025, where students worked on over 200 real-life problem statements. The Prime Minister said solutions were proposed for issues ranging from cyber frauds, including digital arrest scams, to cybersecurity frameworks for digital banking in rural areas, demonstrating how young minds were addressing practical challenges.
Public health and antibiotic resistance
Turning to public health, Modi flagged concerns raised in a recent report by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), which warned that antibiotics are becoming less effective against diseases such as pneumonia and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
He urged citizens not to use antibiotics without proper medical advice, cautioning that indiscriminate consumption was weakening their effectiveness. “Misuse of antibiotics can make even small infections difficult to treat in the future,” he said, calling for greater awareness and responsible behaviour.
Notably, the Prime Minister did not refer to the severe air pollution that affected the national capital during the winter months, focusing instead on broader health challenges.
National security and cultural milestones
On national security, Modi referred to Operation Sindoor, describing it as a symbol of pride for every Indian. “The world clearly saw that today’s India does not compromise with its security,” he said, underscoring the government’s firm stance on protecting national interests.
He also mentioned that the patriotic song Vande Mataram completed 150 years in 2025. The milestone, he noted, sparked extensive discussions in Parliament during the Winter Session, with sharp exchanges between the government and the Opposition over historical interpretation and political framing.
Faith, heritage and archaeological discoveries
Reflecting on moments that blended faith, culture and national identity, Modi recalled beginning the year with a ceremonial dip at the Mahakumbh and ending it with the flag-hoisting ceremony at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
He also highlighted archaeological discoveries in Jammu and Kashmir’s Jehanpura area, where mounds were identified as ancient Buddhist stupas following scientific mapping and archival research traced to France. According to him, such findings enriched India’s understanding of its civilisational depth.
Grassroots change and renewable energy
The Prime Minister cited inspiring grassroots initiatives, including the work of Moirangthem Seth from Manipur, who led efforts to install solar panels in remote areas of the state. Modi said the initiative had brought electricity to hundreds of households and health centres, improved healthcare access and supported livelihoods, particularly benefiting women.
He linked such efforts to the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, under which the government provides financial assistance for rooftop solar installations, calling it an example of how local innovation complements national policy.
Promoting Indian languages globally
Modi also spoke about efforts to promote Indian languages abroad, mentioning Tamil language initiatives in Fiji and learning programmes in Varanasi where children with Hindi as their mother tongue are studying Tamil. He said linguistic diversity was a strength that connected India’s past with its future.
Conclusion
As he concluded the final Mann Ki Baat episode of 2025, Modi said the programme would return in 2026 “with the same enthusiasm, energy and sense of togetherness”. Urging people to stay healthy during the winter season, he reaffirmed his call for collective effort in building a confident, innovative and culturally rooted India.