MUMBAI: Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan, recently released in Delhi the book “Khutbat-e-Modi: Lal Qila Ki Faseel Se”, a compilation of the Independence Day addresses delivered by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the Red Fort between 2014 and 2025.Published in Urdu and brought out by the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL), New Delhi, a national institution under the Ministry of Education mandated to promote, preserve, and propagate the Urdu language across the country, the book takes the PM’s thoughts on different issues to the Urdu-knowing masses.
Speaking on the occasion,Pradhan expressed his happiness at the publication of “Khutbat-e-Modi” in Urdu, describing it as a meaningful step towards linguistic inclusion. The minister said that in the Prime Minister’s addresses, initiatives such as Antyodaya (uplifting the last person), welfare of the poor, Swachh Bharat, national unity, and the aspirations of 140 crore Indians are emphasized, reflecting the vision of New India.Pradhan noted that such publications serve as a powerful medium to directly connect citizens with the Prime Minister’s ideas, developmental priorities, and vision, enabling wider public engagement and informed discourse. He expressed the hope that the book would find a place in libraries across the country, encouraging students, scholars, and readers to engage in a broader dialogue on the vision of Viksit Bharat.The minister further emphasised that NCPUL should proactively undertake the responsibility of publishing works related to India’s heritage, culture, lifestyle, and knowledge traditions in Urdu. Pradhan congratulated NCPUL for this commendable initiative and conveyed his best wishes for future endeavours.Perhaps for the first time, Pradhan shared this information through as post on X. NCPUL’s director Dr Shams Iqbal said that the Council has made lectures of PM delivered from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort available to the Urdu-reading masses and will go a long way in disseminating the message in them.“Khutbat-e-Modi” captures the transformational journey of New India while reaffirming the government’s commitment to linguistic inclusivity by making key national addresses accessible to Urdu readers across the country.
