The Prime Minister began with the remarkable journey of Vesalu Puro from the Phek district of Nagaland.
"Sometimes a small hobby opens the door to great possibilities in life. The journey of Vesalu Puro from the Phek district of Nagaland is a case in point. Vesalu ji grew up in a farming family; she had watched her parents farm since childhood and had a deep love for flowers. In 2021, she began cultivating flowers on a small scale, driven by this very passion," PM Modi said.
Her passion soon met opportunity when she realised that demand for flowers stayed consistently high across weddings, festivals and other occasions.
"Gradually, she began to see a possibility in it. She observed that there was a constant demand for flowers, whether for weddings or other festivals. Vesalu decided to take her hobby further. Along the way, she received training in scientific flower cultivation from the local Krishi Vigyan Kendra. Then she planted thousands of gladiolus bulbs on just a quarter-acre of land. In her very first attempt, over 5,000 flowers bloomed," the Prime Minister said.
That first successful harvest changed the trajectory of Vesalu's journey — and today, her flowers travel from Nagaland to major markets in Delhi and Mumbai.
"Vesalu Puro ji's journey demonstrates that when a passion is combined with hard work and proper guidance, it can pave the way for new possibilities," PM Modi added.
Maithili Bhue: When Forest Conservation Becomes a Way of Life
From individual enterprise, the Prime Minister moved to how one person's initiative can gradually inspire an entire community. He shared the story of Maithili Bhue from the village of Dhodrokusum in the Debrigarh region of Odisha.
"Until a few years ago, Maithili Bhue ji from this village would visit the forest almost daily — sometimes to gather firewood, at other times to collect Mahua flowers and Kendu leaves, or to harvest bamboo shoots and other forest produce," PM Modi said.
Her relationship with the forest fundamentally changed with her association with Debrigarh Eco-Tourism. Forest conservation, once background to daily life, became a direct source of income and pride.
"Forest conservation now became a means of livelihood for her. Friends, this transformation in Maithili ji's life inspired other women as well. Today, more than 60 women are actively involved in forest conservation. Some have taken up the responsibility of protecting wildlife, others are engaged in developing grasslands, and some are contributing to eco-tourism activities," the Prime Minister said.
He offered a poignant closing framing to this story.
"Maithili-ji and these sisters from Debrigarh have demonstrated that it is possible to protect nature while also achieving prosperity in life. The efforts of all these sisters serve as a great inspiration for all of us," PM Modi added.
The Rise of the Avocado in Indian Farming
Shifting focus to the fields, PM Modi highlighted the growing popularity of a fruit that has quickly gone from niche import to increasingly common Indian farm produce — the avocado.
"The avocado fruit is creating quite a buzz these days. Hardly anyone knew about this fruit in the past; both its value and demand were low, but today it is frequently seen on dining tables. It has become a preferred choice in the health and premium markets. This is also very helpful for our farmer brothers and sisters," he said.
Varadaraj of Kadappa: A Farmer Who Made the Switch
PM Modi shared the story of Varadaraj from Kadappa in Andhra Pradesh — a farmer who had grown tomatoes and bananas for years before discovering avocado cultivation at a friend's farm.
"So far, he has produced nearly 4 tonnes of avocados. Today, he supplies them directly to local shops. The new crop, scientific advice, and direct marketing have completely transformed the earnings from his small farm," the Prime Minister said.
That story reflects one of the most powerful trends in modern Indian agriculture — the ability of small farmers to shift toward high-value crops when supported with the right training and direct market linkages.
Chandrashekharan of Kodaikanal: Small Farm, Big Change
Another example the Prime Minister shared was of Chandrashekharan from Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu, who began cultivating avocados on just half a hectare of land — and has seen his income grow considerably as the crop began fetching strong market prices.
Chikkamagaluru: Avocado Meets Coffee Culture
The transformation isn't limited to standalone avocado farms. In Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, farmers are intercropping avocados within their coffee plantations — a strategic move that adds a new revenue stream without disrupting their existing coffee and pepper produce.
"In Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, some farmer brothers and sisters have even planted avocados amidst their coffee plantations. This allows them to earn additional income alongside coffee and black pepper," PM Modi said.
He wrapped up his avocado section with a wonderfully evocative line that captured the crop's cultural crossover.
"We often hear about avocado toast in city restaurants, but through this very avocado, our innovative farmers have discovered a new recipe for earning. In other words, the avocado from our own country has enhanced the taste of your toast while simultaneously boosting the farmers' income," he added.
Why It Matters
Each of the three stories PM Modi shared — Vesalu Puro's flowers, Maithili Bhue's forest conservation, and India's avocado farmers — represents a different type of grassroots economic transformation. Flowers illustrate the potential of hobby-to-enterprise journeys. Forest conservation illustrates the power of aligning livelihood with ecological protection. Avocado farming illustrates how Indian farmers are entering premium and health-conscious markets on their own terms.
Together, they signal a broader shift: rural India is no longer just producing raw commodities. It is producing lifestyle products, wellness offerings, ecological services and premium-quality agricultural exports.
Cultural Impact
For younger audiences watching from urban India, the segment carries an important message — that success stories increasingly emerge from Phek, Debrigarh, Kadappa, Kodaikanal and Chikkamagaluru, not just from metros. The next generation of Indian entrepreneurship is quietly being built by women who once collected firewood and men who once grew tomatoes. That reframing is powerful.
For rural India, these stories reinforce a much-needed narrative — that with training, curiosity, and initiative, everyday work can be transformed into meaningful livelihoods.
Industry Impact
For the horticulture, floriculture, ecotourism and premium agri-produce sectors, PM Modi's segment is a strong signal that the government is watching, celebrating and amplifying grassroots success. That kind of national validation often catalyses fresh policy attention, private-sector investment and cross-sector collaboration.
Krishi Vigyan Kendras across the country will likely see increased engagement from young farmers inspired by the success of individuals like Vesalu Puro. Eco-tourism initiatives could see expanded state-level support. And the avocado supply chain in India — still nascent — is likely to see accelerated interest from processors, exporters and specialty retailers.
The Bigger Picture
The 137th 'Mann Ki Baat' captured a truth that often goes underreported — that India's most inspiring economic transformations are happening quietly, at ground level, in villages, forests, small farms and family kitchens. A woman in Nagaland turning her love for flowers into a business. A woman in Odisha turning forest visits into forest protection livelihoods. Farmers across South India turning avocado into a genuine income source.
Each of these stories, individually, could easily be overlooked in the daily churn of national news. But taken together, they represent the shape of a new India — one where livelihood no longer means leaving the village for the city. Sometimes, it just means looking at what already exists — a flower, a forest, a fruit — and imagining it differently. And on Sunday morning, through 'Mann Ki Baat', the Prime Minister ensured that millions of Indians heard exactly that story.
.jpg)
.jpg.jpeg)
