Mann Ki Baat 139th episode: Narinder Singh Kapany centenary, Bhai Parmanand, e-Sanjeevani and Shabari Naturals
In the 139th episode of Mann Ki Baat on 25 October 2026, PM Modi recalled 'Father of Fiber Optics' Narinder Singh Kapany and Bhai Parmanand ahead of their anniversaries, and hailed e-Sanjeevani, Punjab's 'Nav-Trinjan' cotton project and Maharashtra's award-winning 'Shabari Naturals' packaging.
Summary
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 139th episode of Mann Ki Baat on 25 October 2026, noting that the programme began twelve years ago on Vijayadashami. He recalled scientist Narinder Singh Kapany, known as the 'Father of Fiber Optics' and born in Punjab's Moga district, whose 100th birth anniversary falls on 31 October, and Bhai Parmanand, whose 150th birth anniversary is on 4 November. He said e-Sanjeevani has delivered about 50 crore teleconsultations and that nearly 1.9 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs serve the country. He praised the Kheti Virasat Mission's 'Nav-Trinjan' natural cotton project in Punjab's Malwa region, the revival of the Heval river in Tehri Garhwal, millet revival in Meghalaya and Nagaland, and Maharashtra's tribal 'Shabari Naturals' packaging, which won Japan's Good Design Award. Khadi sales on Gandhi Jayanti crossed ₹28 crore in a single day.
Key facts
- Episode
- 139th Mann Ki Baat, 25 October 2026
- Started
- Twelve years ago on Vijayadashami
- Narinder Singh Kapany
- 'Father of Fiber Optics'; born Moga, Punjab; 100th birth anniversary 31 Oct
- Bhai Parmanand
- 150th birth anniversary on 4 November
- e-Sanjeevani
- About 50 crore teleconsultations
- Ayushman Arogya Mandirs
- Nearly 1.9 lakh
- Brain research
- Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre, IIT Madras; uses 'Param Shakti' supercomputer
- Nav-Trinjan
- Kheti Virasat Mission's natural/coloured cotton project, Malwa (Punjab)
- River revival
- Heval river, Tehri Garhwal (Uttarakhand)
- Shabari Naturals
- Maharashtra tribal products; packaging won Japan's Good Design Award
- Khadi
- Over ₹28 crore sales on Gandhi Jayanti, up ₹1.5 crore
- Exports
- Purnia makhana to Greece; Kalaburagi arhar dal to Maldives
Practice MCQs 4 questions
Which scientist, known as the 'Father of Fiber Optics', did PM Modi recall in the 139th Mann Ki Baat ahead of his 100th birth anniversary on 31 October 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Narinder Singh Kapany
'Nav-Trinjan', mentioned in the 139th Mann Ki Baat (October 2026), is an initiative to promote what?
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Correct answer: D — Natural and naturally coloured organic cotton in Punjab's Malwa region
The packaging of 'Shabari Naturals', a tribal products initiative praised in the 139th Mann Ki Baat, won which award?
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Correct answer: A — Good Design Award of Japan
Consider the following statements based on the 139th Mann Ki Baat (25 October 2026): 1. Mann Ki Baat began twelve years ago on the occasion of Vijayadashami. 2. Bhai Parmanand's 150th birth anniversary falls on 31 October 2026. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only