PM Modi Lauds Malaysian Indian Community for Preserving Cultural Heritage During 'Mann ki Baat'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated a significant portion of his 130th 'Mann ki Baat' episode to applauding the Malaysian Indian community's efforts in preserving their cultural heritage.

During Sunday's broadcast, Modi highlighted the existence of over 500 Tamil schools in Malaysia where Tamil serves as both a subject and a medium of instruction for other subjects. He also acknowledged efforts to promote other Indian languages such as Telugu and Punjabi.

The Prime Minister specifically mentioned cultural initiatives like the "Lal Paad Saree" iconic walk organized by the Malaysia India Heritage Society, noting its connection to Bengali culture. He also praised performances of Odissi dance and Baul music in Malaysia.

With approximately 2.75 million Persons of Indian Origin, Malaysia hosts the world's second-largest PIO community after the United States, representing a significant cultural bridge between the nations.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reinforced this message, emphasizing the growing bilateral engagement between India and Malaysia across various sectors, including recent cooperation in defense.