Modi Highlights Manipur Astrophysicist and Green Initiatives in Mann ki Baat

Imphal: Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated citizen achievements during the 136th edition of his Mann ki Baat radio show on Sunday, July 26. He spotlighted scientific breakthroughs and local environmental efforts from across India.

Modi gave a shoutout to Manipur-born astrophysicist Dr. Ronaldo Laishram. Working out of Japan, Laishram helped an international research team find a massive cluster of young galaxies. The team named the discovery the Loktak Proto-Cluster after Manipur's famous Loktak Lake. "I would like to tell you all about Dr Ronaldo Laishram from Manipur. His name is Ronaldo, but he is an astrophysicist. He works in Japan and was part of the team that discovered a large cluster of young galaxies. They named this entire cluster the Loktak Proto-Cluster, after a beautiful lake in Manipur," Modi said.

Sustainability efforts took center stage elsewhere. In Sitamarhi, Bihar, locals turned plastic trash into public benches under a Waste to Wealth initiative. Gujarat saw a massive environmental win as the Indian Grey Hornbill returned to the Gir forests to nest for the first time in sixty years. Ahmedabad residents also flexed their green muscles. They planted 3.5 lakh saplings in the Bhaij area in just one hour.