Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lauded the contribution of India’s fishing community to the economy and highlighted success stories from across the country during the 132nd edition of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat.
Addressing the nation, the Prime Minister described fishermen as the “backbone of a self-reliant India,” noting their vital role in supporting livelihoods and strengthening the country’s economy. He said several government initiatives, including port development, insurance schemes, and the use of technology for weather forecasting, are helping improve their working conditions.
PM Modi emphasised that technological support is enabling fishermen to better navigate weather-related challenges while also encouraging innovation in sectors such as fisheries and seaweed cultivation.
Highlighting inspiring individual stories, the Prime Minister spoke about Sujata Bhuyan from Odisha, who transformed her life by taking up fish farming in the Hirakud reservoir. Despite initial challenges, she built a successful enterprise within a few years, becoming a source of inspiration for women in her community.
He also cited the example of Havva Gulzar from Lakshadweep, who upgraded her fish processing business by setting up a cold storage facility, enabling better planning and expansion of her operations.
Another success story mentioned was that of Shivling Satappa Huddar from Karnataka’s Belagavi, who ventured into pond-based fish farming after receiving training and is now earning a stable income.
The Prime Minister noted that many individuals across the country are also turning to seaweed cultivation in response to rising demand, benefiting economically from the sector’s growth.
Commending the efforts of those associated with fisheries, PM Modi said their contributions are crucial in strengthening the rural economy and advancing the vision of a self-reliant India.
