FOLK PRIDE TO CLEAN INDIA: MODIERA INSPIRATIONS

Narrators recall PM Narendra Modi’s deep connect with both culture and community transformation, as they share two powerful stories shaped by his vision. One reflects the timeless legacy of folk icon Sharda Sinha, whom Modi lovingly called “Chhathi Maiya ki Beti” and celebrated as a global ambassador of Indian traditions. The other echoes the ground-level impact of the Swachh Bharat Mission, where Modi’s call for cleanliness inspired citizens to transform entire villages. Together, these accounts highlight a leader who honours cultural heritage while driving social change

Sharda Sinha’s songs found new idiom through PM Modi’s efforts - Anshuman Sinha, Coordinator, Swar Sharda (Sharda Sinha Art and Culture Foundation)

In the history of Indian folk music, Sharda Sinha is remembered as a voice that beautifully connected tradition with modern times. She carried the fragrance of Mithilanchal’s soil in her songs, and through her music, Indian culture reached millions of people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has often spoken about the great contribution of Sharda Sinha. According to him, Sharda ji played a major role in giving worldwide recognition to the festival of Chhath. During a public event in Mithilanchal, the Prime Minister affectionately called her “Chhathi Maiya ki Beti” — the daughter of Chhath Goddess. This loving title became one of the most beautiful recognitions of her life as a cultural icon. Recently, the Prime Minister also shared one of her songs on his social media. He wrote that her music touches the soul of India and reflects the deep emotions of Indian folk traditions. In 2018, Sharda Sinha received the prestigious Padma Bhushan award. After the ceremony, she had a warm and memorable meeting with Prime Minister Modi. The Prime Minister told my mother, “Sharda Ji, you have done very good work. I hope you continue to be a carrier of our culture.” These words became a powerful source of motivation for her. My mother always saw Prime Minister Modi as a leader who respects both art and administration. She believed that a nation can truly progress only when culture is given equal importance along with development and as a leader Modi ji has this ability to carry out his administrative work as efficiently as his duties towards the promotion of art and culture in the country. Sharda Sinha’s voice added life and emotion to every Indian occasion—whether it was Chhath, Holi, weddings, festivals, or devotional moments. She created a perfect blend of classical grace and the simplicity of folk music. This special combination made her songs timeless. Even today, her music is not just a collection of melodies; it is a living document of India’s traditions, beliefs, and cultural identity. Through her voice, generations have understood the beauty of Bhojpuri and Maithili culture. Modi ji, through his wisdom and understanding, has always carried forward this vision of unity in cultural diversity, because this celebration of diversity comes naturally to him and he knows what aspects of our culture deserve importance. He has always celebrated all cultural identities, giving them the right space and currency. Sharda ji’s journey from a small region of Bihar to becoming a national icon shows how powerful folk music can be. Sharda Sinha proved that art has no boundaries when it is filled with honesty and emotion. Her dedication helped folk music gain respect on big stages, at national festivals, and even internationally. Many young artists today follow her path and learn from the purity of her singing. Sharda Sinha was not just a singer; she was a cultural ambassador. Her songs carried stories of rural life, faith, festivals, and family bonds. She kept India’s folk traditions alive at a time when modern music was taking over and PM Modi realised this invaluable contribution and therefore made it a reference point in his speeches. Even after her passing, her voice continues to guide and inspire. It reminds us that true art comes from the heart and speaks to the soul. Through her and Modi ji’s efforts Chhath, a symbol of purity, tradition and familial bonding, reached the level of a recognised global heritage. Sharda Sinha’s life teaches us that a real artist does more than sing. They become the voice of society, its emotions, and its inner strength. Through her music, she will forever remain one of the brightest stars in Indian folk culture and we can never be grateful enough to Modi ji for making her and her songs so much a part of our mainstream cultural treasure.

‘Modi ji’s cleanliness mission helped transform my village’ - Manju Maurya, Ayodhya, UP

Cleanliness was the dream of Mahatma Gandhi. He believed that cleanliness should become a natural habit in every person’s life. But after Independence, for many years, no government took strong steps to make this dream come true. In 2014, when Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of India, things changed. On October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, he launched the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan — the Clean India Mission. I still remember how he appealed to all citizens to keep themselves clean and also maintain cleanliness around them. He wanted this mission to become a people’s movement, and today we can clearly see the impact of this initiative across the country. Under Swachh Bharat, toilets were built on a large scale, especially in rural areas. Prime Minister Modi also gave respect and recognition to sanitation workers. He made the whole nation understand how important their work was. For the first time, people saw cleaning work as a service to society. Inspired by this national movement, many people across India decided to make their surroundings clean. When I became the sarpanch my first mission was to make my village completely clean. But the situation was very challenging. People used to defecate in the open. There were piles of garbage in many places. Most villagers did not understand why cleanliness was important or how it could improve their health and daily life. But I did not give up. I thought when PM Modi could bring cleanliness to the whole nation, why couldn’t I do it for my village? I started going from house to house, spoke to families, women, children, elders — everyone. I explained to them with great patience why using toilets was important and how keeping public places clean could prevent diseases. I encouraged the villagers to join the Swachh Bharat mission and take small steps every day to change their habits. Under the government scheme, I helped get toilets built in people’s homes. I motivated them to use these toilets regularly, reprimanded them if they didn’t. Slowly, the villagers began to understand. The mindset of the entire village started changing. People stopped throwing garbage anywhere they liked. They began keeping their homes and streets clean. After consistent hard work and strong will, the village was transformed. It became fully clean and set an example for others. I was awarded the Swachh Shakti Award by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. When I went on the stage to receive the award, Modi ji asked me about my village, and I invited him to see for himself the work done there. The award became an inspiration for other sarpanchs too. They too started working to make their villages clean. Soon, the positive impact could be seen across the entire region. I feel that the dream of Mahatma Gandhi is becoming a reality. Swachh Bharat is not just a government programme — it is a movement that has touched millions of lives, including mine. It has shown me that when people come together with determination, they can bring real change. Cleanliness is not just about keeping a place tidy; it is about building a healthy, responsible, and proud nation. And we must be proud of and thankful to PM Modi for thinking in this direction and taking up such a transformative mission with such zeal and diligence.

COMPILED AND EDITED BY SHASHIKANT SHARMA