New Delhi

Highlighting country's digital strides, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said many countries of the world are drawn to India's UPI.

Addressing the 98th Edition of 'Mann Ki Baat' radio programme, PM Modi remarked that the UPI (Unified Payments Interface) system and e-Sanjeevani App are shining example of the power of Digital India.

"Many countries of the world are drawn towards India's UPI. Only a few days ago, UPI-PayNow Link has been launched between India and Singapore. Now, people of Singapore and India are transferring money from their mobile phones in the same way as they do within their respective countries," he said.

Prime Minister said the country has seen that at the time of the Covid-19 pandemic, the eSanjeevani App has proved to be a great boon for the people. It is a shining example of the power of Digital India, he said.

"Through this app, tele-consultation, that is, while sitting far away, through video conference, you can consult a doctor about your illness. Till now, the number of tele-consultants using this app has crossed the figure of 10 crore. This amazing bond between a patient and a doctor is a big achievement. For this achievement, I congratulate all the doctors and patients who have availed of this facility. This is a living example of how the people of India have made technology a part of their lives," PM said.

During the programme, Prime Minister spoke with Dr Madan Mani from Sikkim. He also spoke to Madan Mohan, a resident of Chandauli district of Uttar Pradesh who shared his experience as a patient whoo got the benefit of teleconsultation via e-Sanjeevani App.

Prime Minister further spoke about Indian toys and story-telling forms in 'Mann ki Baat'. He said citizens have made 'Mann Ki Baat' a wonderful platform as an expression of public participation. He said, "In Mann ki Baat, when we referred to Indian toys. My fellow citizens have promoted this too, readily. Nowadays Indian toys have become such craze that their demnad has increased even in foreign countries. When we spoke of Indian genre of story-telling in 'Mann ki Baat, their fame also reached far and wide. People started getting attracted to the Indian story-teeling genre more and more."

'Mann ki Baat' is a monthly address, aired on All India Radio on the last Sunday of every month, through which Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with countrymen.

Meanwhile he said, "Friends, you might remember that on Sardar Patel's birth anniversary i.e. 'Unity Day', we talked of three competitions in 'Mann Ki Baat'. These competitions -- 'Geet' - Patriotic Songs, 'Lullabies' and 'Rangoli' -- were held on this day. I am glad to inform you, that more than 5 lakh people from more than 700 districts across the country participated at these events enthusiastically. Children, adults and even the elderly enthusiastically participated and entries were sent in more than 20 languages. Many many congratulations to all the participants in these competitions from my side. Each one of you, in your own right, is a champion, and an art seeker. You all have shown how much love you have for the diversity and culture of your country."

Remembering the late melody Queen Lata Mangeshkar, PM Modi said, "Friends, today on this occasion it is very natural for me to remember Lata Mangeshkar ji, Lata Didi. Because on the day this competition started, Lata Didi had urged the countrymen by tweeting that they must join in this endeavour."

Later in his address, the Prime Minister also invoked Ustad Bismillah Khan while talking about how the popularity of some classical music instruments has decreased with time. He also brought up Joydeep Mukherjee, an instrumentalist who was recently conferred with the 'Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar' -- an award for emerging, talented artists in the field of music and performing arts.

He said, "My dear countrymen, whether it is about Banaras or the Shehnai or Ustad Bismillah Khan-ji, it is natural that my attention will be drawn in that direction. A few days ago, 'Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar' were conferred. These awards were given to emerging, talented artists in the field of music and performing arts. These, along with the rising popularity of the art and music world, are also contributing to their enrichment. These also include artistes who have breathed new life into instruments whose popularity had been dwindling with time."

His remark was followed by a tune, after which Prime Minister Modi continued, "Do you know what instrument this is? It is possible that you may not be aware of it. The name of this musical instrumental mantra is 'Sursingar' and this tune has been composed by Joydeep Mukherjee. Joydeep-ji is one of our emerging, young artistes who has been honoured with the Ustad Bismillah Khan Award.

Listening to the sweet notes of this instrument from the late 50s and 60s was starting to become a rare experience. But, Joydeep is now putting his heart and soul into restoring and persevering the Sursingar for our future generations."