Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, during his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat', remembered the Emergency imposed on this day in 1975, saying "such a black night" cannot be forgotten, and underlined the need for eternal vigilance to preserve democracy.

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Modi did not hold back in his address as he took an indirect dig at the Congress. He asked the country to remember June 25, 1975 as the beginning of the "dark period of Emergency" in the history of democratic India.

"It was a dark night that no devotee of democracy can ever forget. The country had virtually become a prison and the voice of the Opposition had been smothered."

The PM also emphasised that India's diversity is its speciality as well as its strength. He extended Eid-ul-Fitr greetings to all and said inspiration should be drawn from such pious festivals to spread happiness and to take the nation forward. "Ramzan is a month of charity and sharing joy. The more you share joy, the more it multiplies. Let us come together and take inspiration from these holy festivals and share their joyous treasures, and take the nation forward," Modi said.

While talking about diversity, Modi also referred to the Lord Jagannath yatras taken out on Sunday in the country as well as some parts of the world with devotion and religious fervour

During the programme, the PM also referred to a letter written by a housewife in Madurai district of Tamil Nadu.

She wrote that she was selling goods through the 'Government E-Marketplace', an online portal, and even the Prime Minister's Office had bought two items from her through it. He highlighted how entrepreneurial skills can be utilised in a transparent manner by anyone in the country.