New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed the issue of “digital arrest” in the 115th episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’, labelling it as a fraudulent activity. He urged people to remain vigilant and safe.

The Prime Minister emphasised that those involved in the crime are enemies of society. “…There is no system like digital arrest in the law, this is just fraud, deceit, lie, a gang of criminals and those who are doing this are enemies of the society…,” the PM cautioned.

Addressing the growing cases and concerns about techno-crime, PM Modi informed listeners that various investigative agencies were collaborating with state governments to combat these fraudulent schemes.

He said to enhance coordination among these agencies, the National Cyber Coordination Centre has been established. “This initiative aims to strengthen efforts against cybercrime and protect citizens from such scams, reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring public safety in the digital realm,” said the PM.

“Beware of Digital Arrest frauds…No investigative agency will ever contact you by phone or video call for enquiries…The fraudsters of digital arrest phone calls, at times, impersonate police, CBI, and Narcotics; and at times RBI… using such various labels, they converse as fake officers with a lot of confidence. Many listeners of ‘#MannKiBaat’ have wished that we must discuss that. Let me tell you, how these fraud gangs work. What is this dangerous game? It is very important for you to understand this and it is equally important for others to understand it as well,” said the PM.

During the radio talk, PM Modi played a video to make people understand the gravity of the crime.

While making the audience understand the modus operandi, PM Modi said, “The First Move… They collect all of your personal information… “You went to Goa last month, didn’t you? Your daughter studies in Delhi, right”? They collect so much information about you that you will be surprised.”

“The second move – create an atmosphere of fear… Uniform, government office set-up, legal sections… they will scare you so much on the phone… In the midst of the conversation, you will not be able to even think. And then their third move begins – the time pressure. “You have to decide now or else you will be arrested” – these people create so much psychological pressure on the victim that one gets scared. People from every class and age group fall victim to Digital Arrest. People have lost lakhs of rupees earned through their hard work, out of sheer fear. Whenever you receive such a call, don’t be scared. You should be aware that no investigative agency ever inquires like this through a phone call or a video call,” the PM said.

PM Modi enumerated the three steps to Digital Security. These three steps are — ‘Stop – Think – Take Action.

“As soon as you get a call, stop… don’t panic, stay calm, don’t take any hasty steps, don’t give away your personal information to anyone; if possible take a screenshot and record it for sure. After this comes the second step. The first step was ‘stop’ and the second step was ‘think’. No government agency threatens you on the phone like this, neither inquires nor demands money on a video call like this. If you feel scared, then know that something is wrong. The first step, the second step and now I spell out the third step. In the first step, I said – ‘Stop’… in the second step I said – ‘Think’, and the third step tells you – ‘Take action’.”

He also mentioned the national cyber helpline 1930, or to report on cybercrime.gov.in, or inform family and police, and preserve evidence.

“Stop, then think, and then take action, these three steps will become the protector of your digital security,” said the PM.

The PM said that thousands of such fraudulent video-calling IDs have been blocked by the agencies. Lakhs of SIM cards, mobile phones and bank accounts have also been blocked.

“Agencies are doing their job, but for protection from scams in the name of digital arrest, it is very important that everyone is aware, every citizen is aware. Those who are victims of this kind of cyber fraud should let as many people as possible know about it. You can use #SafeDigitalIndia for awareness,” the PM said.

PM Modi also urged schools and colleges to involve students in the campaign against cyber scams. “We can fight this challenge only with the collective efforts in society,” he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi resumed the broadcast of Mann Ki Baat with its 111th episode on Sunday. From Kerala’s Karthumbi umbrellas to Andhra Pradesh’s Araku coffee to Kashmir’s snow peas, he spoke extensively about the contributions of various communities among other things to celebrate in India.

Mann Ki Baat resumed after a gap of three months in the light of the Model Code of Conduct enforced before the 18th Lok Sabha election. The Prime Minister congratulated 65 crore voters of India and all others associated with the poll process for keeping faith in democracy and executing the world’s largest election this year.

IANS condenses 10 things PM Modi specifically spoke about in his Mann Ki Baat address.

1. Beginning with commemorating June 30 as Hul Diwas, the Prime Minister recounted the sacrifice of the brave Murmu brothers, Sidhu and Kanhu, who in the Santhal Rebellion of 1855, rebelled against the foreign (British) rule. This had happened before the popularly believed earliest Revolt of 1857 against British rule. The PM dedicated a Santhali song in honour of these bravehearts.

2. Invoking the emotion of attachment to one’s mother, PM Modi initiated #PLANT4MOTHER: plant a tree dedicated mother as a gesture of acknowledging the “unpayable debt to her.” He encouraged citizens to share their picture of planting a tree with their mother or her picture as a mark of respect to her and Mother Earth.

3. Further, in the view of monsoon, PM Modi spotlighted Karthumbi umbrellas made in Attappadi in Kerala. These umbrellas are made by tribal women and are sold online under the supervision of Vattalakki Cooperative Farming Society, headed and led by tribal women of Attappadi. They have also established a bamboo handicraft unit. With the aim of introducing their culture to the world, they will open a retail outlet and a café.

4. Speaking about the Paris Olympics that will take place next week, he wished the Indian contingent the best for the upcoming games. Refreshing memories of the Tokyo Olympics when athletes won medals and did India proud, he mentioned that these athletes have participated in about 900 international competitions. Paris Olympics will have some firsts from India. He cheered for them with #CHEER4BHARAT.

5. Subsequently, with an audio clip (in Hindi) from a Kuwaiti radio broadcast, he said that the government of Kuwait has started a half-hour programme in Hindi on its national radio every Sunday. This show will be about the vibrant Indian culture, films, and art that is popular among the Indian community there, as well as among Kuwaiti natives. He thanked their government for this initiative.

6. Speaking about the popularity and respect commanded by Indian culture across the globe, PM Modi mentioned that Turkmenistan celebrated in May the 300th birth anniversary of their national poet. On the occasion, their president unveiled statues of 24 famous poets of the world, including Rabindranath Tagore—an honour for both Gurudev and India

7. Likewise, Indian communities in two Caribbean countries celebrated their Indian heritage with fervour: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on June 1 and Surinam on June 5. Along with Hindi, Bhojpuri is a popular language here.

8. PM Modi also spoke about the 10th International Day of Yoga observed across the world on June 21. He said: “Several records have been created across the globe. For the first time in Saudi Arabia, a Saudi woman instructed the main Yoga session. A photo of a Yoga session conducted on beaches of Red Sea at the bank of Nile River in Egypt has gone viral.”

The PM also mentioned the special Yoga sessions conducted in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bahrain, US and Bhutan. He also advised people to include Yoga in their daily routine to bring positive changes in life. PM Modi, this year, had celebrated Yoga Day in J&K’s Srinagar.

9. Talking about Kashmir, the PM said that the first consignment of snow peas was dispatched from Pulwama to London last month, putting the region’s exotic vegetable on the world map. An inspired Abdul Rashid Mir of Chakura village consolidated land and began growing snow peas. This pursuit has ushered prosperity for many people in J&K.

10. Stating that there is no dearth of unique products in India, and in a bid to promote ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative, PM Modi spotlighted Araku coffee produced in Andhra Pradesh’s Alluri Sitharama Raju district on a large scale. This coffee is known for its rich flavour and aroma.

He said: “Around 1.5 lakh tribal people are associated with Araku coffee cultivation. Girijan Cooperative has played a huge role in taking Araku Coffee to new heights. This has brought farmer brothers and sisters together. Because of this, farmers’ income has also increased and they are now leading a respectable life.”

PM Modi also recounted his experience of tasting this coffee with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in Visakhapatnam.

The Prime Minister concluded his address with a pitch for the promotion of Sanskrit language, PM Modi congratulated All India Radio family for connecting people with the ancient language. He said: “On June 30, the Sanskrit Bulletin of Akashwani is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Sanskrit has played a big role in the progress of ancient Indian knowledge and science.”

He also mentioned an initiative in Bengaluru where these days, local people gather in a park once a week and converse in Sanskrit.

–IANS

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(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Shillong:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday showered praises on Meghalaya resident Brian D Kharpran who, along with his team, has discovered over 1,700 caves in the state.

PM Modi also urged people to visit Meghalaya’s caves, some of which are among the longest and deepest in the country.

In his Mann ki Baat address, the PM said, “In 1964, he (Brian) conducted his first exploration as a school-going boy. In 1990, he along with his friend established an association, and through this, he started to find out about the unknown caves of Meghalaya.” “Kharpran, along with his team, discovered more than 1,700 caves in Meghalaya and put the state on the world cave map. Some of the longest and deepest caves in India are in Meghalaya,” he said.

During #MannKiBaat, talked about Mr. Brian D. Kharpran Daly, who has done decades of work on discovering and popularising caves in Meghalaya. I also urge you all to travel to Meghalaya and explore the beautiful caves yourself. pic.twitter.com/pZDX1SOFuu

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 27, 2023

Appreciating the efforts of the entire team of Brian D Kharpran, he urged people across the country to make plans to visit the caves of Meghalaya.

Brian D Kharpran, who is the founder secretary of the Meghalaya Adventurers’ Association, has so far mapped 537.6 km of caves in the state. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)