New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday underlined the urgent need to protect soil for future generations, conserve water, and ensure the balanced use of natural resources, describing these as some of the most critical priorities of the present time.

Addressing a Pongal celebration at the residence of Union Minister L Murugan in the national capital, the Prime Minister said the harvest festival encourages people to transform gratitude towards nature from a sentiment into a way of life. He said initiatives such as Mission LiFE, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, and Amrit Sarovar are strengthening this ethos across the country.

Modi said the Centre is working with sustained commitment to empower farmers and make agriculture more sustainable. He noted that in the coming years, practices such as sustainable farming, efficient water management under the “First Drop, More Crop” approach, natural farming, agri-tech innovations, and value addition will play a decisive role in shaping the sector.

Highlighting the growing participation of young people in agriculture, the Prime Minister said youth are infusing fresh ideas and new energy into farming. Recalling a recent natural farming conference in Tamil Nadu, he said many young participants had left high-paying professional careers to take up agriculture, which he described as inspiring.

Modi also described Tamil civilisation as one of the world’s oldest living civilisations, noting that it connects the past with the present while guiding the future. Drawing from his personal experiences, he said his engagements with Tamil culture over the past year had been deeply fulfilling.

He recalled offering prayers at the thousand-year-old Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple, participating in the Kashi–Tamil Sangamam in Varanasi, and inaugurating the Sangam Beach in Rameswaram, where he witnessed the richness and continuity of Tamil history.

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Pongal, one of the most important festivals for Tamils across the world, marks thanksgiving to nature, the sun, farm animals and farmers, and symbolises prosperity, gratitude and togetherness.