The country was “saddened” by the “insult” to the national flag by protesters on Republic Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his first Mann ki Baat address of the new year.
Modi also referred to the “inspirational” performance of the Indian cricketers in Australia, and claimed that the country’s vaccination programme against Covid-19 was setting an example for the world.
“This month, there has been very good news from the cricket pitch… Our cricket team, after initial setbacks made a grand comeback, winning the series in Australia. The hard work and teamwork of our players is inspirational,” the Prime Minister said, according to the official English rendering of his radio address on Sunday.