NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi on Sunday praised the youth for embracing the emerging trend of “bhajan-clubbing”, saying it is a powerful blend of devotion, culture, spirituality and modernity that resonates strongly with Gen Z. ‘Bhajan-clubbing’ — in which large groups, particularly youngsters, come together in community settings to sing bhajans and devotional songs — Modi said is “no less than global concerts”. This as a wonderful effort to blend spirituality with modernity while preserving the sanctity of ‘bhajans’, Modi said in his monthly broadcast ‘Mann ki Baat’. ‘Bhajans’ and ‘kirtans’ have been the soul of Indian culture for centuries, he said, adding that people have listened to ‘bhajans’ in temples, during ‘kathas’, and every era has embodied ‘bhakti’ according to respective times. “Today’s youth have also incorporated the spirit of devotion into their experiences and lifestyles,” the PM said.Modi said this thinking has given rise to this new cultural trend and there are several such videos on social media. “Large numbers of the youth are gathering in different cities across the country. The stage is decorated… there is lighting, music… there is all the pomp and show, and the atmosphere is no less than a concert. It feels like a huge concert, but what is being sung there is the resonance of bhajans sung with complete concentration, dedication, and rhythm. This trend is being called ‘bhajan-clubbing’ today, and it’s becoming increasingly popular, especially among Gen Z,” he added.Modi also praised the efforts of the Indian community in Malaysia towards language diversity in schools, highlighting that now there are more than 500 Tamil schools in Malaysia. In addition to teaching the Tamil language, other subjects are also taught in Tamil. In his address, PM also lauded the UAE’s initiative to declare 2026 as the ‘Year of the Family’, likening it to India’s family system which is part of the country’s traditions.Reiterating the govt’s thrust on manufacturing high quality products in India, PM urged industry and start-ups to focus on quality and resolve to make excellence a benchmark in manufacturing. “Let us resolve to improve the quality of whatever we manufacture. Be it our textiles, technology, electronics or even packaging; an Indian product should become synonymous with top quality,” he said. “The era of ‘it just happens” and “it will go through somehow’ (chalta hai) is over. Come, let us prioritise quality with all our might this year. Let our only mantra be quality, quality and only quality,” Modi said.
