PM Narendra Modi Credits H D Devegowda for ‘Ragi Mudde’ Fame, Urges Youth to Embrace Millets

New Delhi Chronicle | By Political Bureau

MANDYA: In a significant push for traditional Indian nutrition and regional heritage, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the nutritional power of Ragi Mudde, crediting former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda for bringing the rustic Karnataka staple to the national and global limelight.

Addressing a massive gathering in the heart of the Vokkaliga belt, the Prime Minister used the platform to advocate for a “millet revolution” specifically targeting India’s younger generation.

The ‘Deve Gowda’ Legacy of Ragi

In a warm gesture toward the JD(S) patriarch, PM Modi noted that H.D. Deve Gowda has long been the primary ambassador for Ragi Mudde (steamed finger millet balls).

“Today, the world is discussing the benefits of millets, but our ‘son of the soil,’ H.D. Deve Gowda ji, made Ragi Mudde famous across the country decades ago,” the Prime Minister remarked.

He highlighted that what was once considered a humble rural meal is now recognized globally as a “superfood,” essential for modern health challenges.

A Call to the ‘Young Countrymen’

As India seeks to lead the global movement for nutritional security, PM Modi made a direct appeal to the youth to rethink their plates. He urged the younger generation to look toward ancestral wisdom to solve modern health issues.

• Millets as a Staple: The PM urged young Indians to integrate Ragi, Jowar, and Bajra into their daily meals to combat lifestyle-related diseases.

• Fitness First: He linked the consumption of traditional grains to the broader “Fit India” movement, suggesting that a millet-based diet provides the sustained energy required for a productive nation.

• Preventive Healthcare: Modi emphasized that “food is medicine,” and embracing indigenous crops like Ragi is a vital step in strengthening the nation’s health foundation.

Karnataka: The Confluence of Tradition and Progress

The Prime Minister lauded Karnataka’s ability to balance its rich spiritual traditions with its status as a global technology hub. He noted that the state’s agricultural practices, particularly the cultivation of hardy millets, serve as a model for sustainable farming in an era of climate change.

Strategic Takeaways:

• Cultural Connection: By praising the local staple and the region’s veteran leader, the PM struck a deep chord with the local population.

• Economic Impact: The push for Ragi is expected to benefit local farmers in the Old Mysore region by increasing demand for millet-based products.

• Global Leadership: The speech reinforces India’s position as a leader in the “International Year of Millets” initiative, translating global policy into local dinner-table conversations.

The event, attended by senior state leadership and regional icons, underscores the Prime Minister’s ongoing strategy of blending cultural pride with a forward-looking health and agricultural agenda.