While many expected Prime Minister Narendra Modi's latest Mann ki Baat programme to mention the attack on Dalits in Gujarat by a cow vigilante group, he did not bring up the subject on Sunday. Instead, he began his 22nd radio address by wishing luck to the Indian athletes who are participating in the upcoming Olympics games in Rio de Janeiro.

He then spoke of former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, whose death anniversary was on July 27. Modi emphasised the importance of science and technology for growth and development of the country.

The prime minister also asked listeners to send in suggestions for his Independence Day speech. "This time, I don't want to deliver PM's speech. I want to deliver your messages. Send me messages on Narendra Modi App," Modi said, adding that he is the first PM of the country who was born in after independence.

Modi also praised green initiatives by Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat governments, fraud calls and fake emails, and distribution and plantation of saplings like timber so that the country will not need to export it to make furniture, reported The Times of India.