PM Modi gifts his shawl to girl during Pongal celebrations

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a heartwarming gesture, presented his shawl to a young girl showcasing her singing talent at Pongal celebrations on Sunday.
The young singer who was performing as a part of the cultural programme at the residence of Union minister of state L Murugan, touched PM Modi's feet, prompting him to gift her with his shawl as a special token of appreciation.
Extending his greetings to the people on the occassion of Pongal, PM said that the festival depicts the emotion of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.'
"The festival of Pongal depicts the emotion of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat'...This emotion of unity will give strength to the 'Viksit Bharat' of 2047," the PM said.
"Wish you all a very happy Pongal! On this pious occasion, I wish happiness, prosperity and contentment to flow in your lives," he added.

Expressing a personal connection to the occasion, PM Modi said, "Today, I feel like I am celebrating Pongal with my kith and kin".
Underscoring the cultural and agricultural ties embedded in Indian festivals, PM Modi said, "Saint Tiruvallur has said that 'good harvest, educated men, and honest traders together build the nation'. It's a tradition that on Pongal the first harvest is offered to God."
"At the heart of this tradition lie our farmers. In fact, all our festivals are, in one way or other, connected to agriculture," he added.
Highlighting the importance of promoting millets, the PM said, "More than three crore farmers in the country are involved in the production of Shree Anna (millet grains). If we promote Shree Anna, then it directly benefits these three crore farmers."
Telangana governor Tamilisai Soundararajan was also present on the occasion.