PM Modi lauds farmers for not burning hay

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hailed farmers from Punjab who do not burn stubble in fields even as concerns rise over rising air pollution in North India. He also said that, while the world, especially the West, is discussing environment protection and trying to find new ways to adopt a balanced life style, India is also facing a similar problem.

“But, for its solution we only have to look inwards, to look into our glorious past and our rich traditions and have especially to understand the lifestyle of our tribal communities,” Mr Modi said.   In his monthly ‘Mann ki Baat’ radio address, he praised the northeastern sta-tes for making “grand progress” in organic farming.

Referring to the issue of stubble burning in fields which leads to massive air pollution, Mr Modi referred to Gurbachan Singh, a Punjab farmer who asked his would be parents-in-law to promise that they will not burn parali or stubble in their fields.   

“You can well imagine the social strength this statement had. This point made by Gurbachan Singh ji appears quite ordinary but this reveals how tall and strong his personality is and we have seen that there are many families in our society who connect their individual matters with the benefit of the society as a whole,” said Mr Modi.

Mr Modi said people of Kallar Majra in Nabha district of Punjab mix the stubble with the sand by ploughing their fields rather than burning the stubble and adopt the necessary technology for the process.  “Congratulations to bhai Gurbachan Singh ji ! Congratulations to the people of Kallar Majra and of all those places who are making their best efforts to keep the environment clean and pollution free. All of you are carrying forward the Indian tradition of a healthy lifestyle as a true successor,” he said.

Mr Modi also referred to how the tribes and their traditions and rituals are the best examples of coexistence with nature.  

Just as a sea is formed by collection of tiny drops, similarly, a small constructive step, plays a vital role in creating a positive environment,” he said.