New Delhi, 29 Dec (IANS): In his last Mann Ki Baat speech of the year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked about youth empowerment to aid the country's development, adding that the change depends on people born in the 21st century.

Pointing to Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary on January 12, which is also celebrated as the 'National Youth Day' the Prime Minister asked the youth of the country to make a resolution for positive change.

Describing the President's visit to Vivekananad Rock in Kanyakumari, and Vice president's visit to Kutch in Gujarat for Rannotsav, as inspiring, he asked people to visit tourist places within the country.

Addressing the nation in his last 'Mann Ki Baat' interaction of the year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended a unique initiative 'HIMAYAT', that has been transforming lives of thousands of disadvantaged teenagers in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Prime Minister took the names of youngsters like Raqeeb Ul Rehman from Kashmir's Anantnag district, who took up a course in retail team leadership programme and was now working in a corporate organisation.

The Prime Minister also mentioned about a number of teenagers like Faiyaz, who had trained under the HIMAYAT program.

Himayat is a placement linked skill training programme for unemployed youth of Jammu and Kashmir and is being implemented by the Himayat Mission Management Unit, Jammu and Kashmir State Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKSRLM).

Mann Ki Baat: PM urges youth to buy local products

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged the youth, during 'Mann Ki Baat' programme, to use local products till 2022 as the country marks its 75th year of Independence.

He mentioned how women of Kadipur in Uttar Pradesh have become self-reliant by learning to make slippers. The women self help group has also established a "chappal production plant" in the area. This not only has generated the revenue for the women working in the plant, but has also given employment opportunities to the villagers.

He also appreciated the Uttar Pradesh Police for taking the initiative of buying those locally produced slippers for their family members and themselves and enabling those women to earn their livelihood by the initiative.

The Prime Minister said: "As we are going to mark the 75th anniversary of Independence in the year 2022, I urge all the youth of this country to use 'Swadesi' and buy local products in order to give impetus to the local produce and generate employment in the country".

He said: "Can we add products made locally to our lifestyle that have the sweat and hard work of fellow Indians? I am asking you to do this just for two to three years until the 75th year of Independence." He said the youth of this country is self motivated and is capable of doing this without the government initiative.

Modi also mentioned 'Swadesi Movement' initiated by Mahatma Gandhi which encouraged people to buy local products. He said that the movement was aimed at paving the way for Indians to become self reliant and remove poverty.

PM hails India's position in astronomy in Mann ki Baat

Speaking about the last solar eclipse of the year which happened on Dec 26, the prime minister recalled India's mastery over astronomy since ancient times.

In his Mann Ki Baat address to the nation, the Prime Minister mentioned the request from Ripun who hails from the northeast but is staying now in south India because of his job.

The prime minister mentioned Ripun for his request to find ways to popularise astronomy in rural areas of the country.

Referring to the contributions of astronomy centres in places like Pune and Ooty, the prime minister commended the strides the nation has taken in the field.

"The eclipse reminds us that that we are travelling in space while residing on the earth.... Friends, India has an ancient and glorious history of astronomy. Our connection with the twinkling stars in the sky is as old as our civilisation. Many of you might be aware that at various places in India, there are magnificent observatories (Jantar Mantars) – which are worth seeing. And these observatories have a deep bond with astronomy. Who doesn't know about the prodigious talent of the great Aryabhatta," PM said.