Through Mann Ki Baat@100, the tale of New India
The airing of the 100th episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unique monthly radio outreach, Mann Ki Baat, is a milestone. ‘Mann Ki Baat’ is central to the PM’s deep connection with the masses, who regard him as a caring, compassionate and decisive leader who is transforming the country to improve their lives.
Since the first episode of Mann Ki Baat on October 3, 2014, the PM has struck a rare chord with our countrymen, who have responded enthusiastically and reached out to him month after month to share their accomplishments, joys, concerns and their valuable suggestions for New India.
This regular outreach to countrymen has no parallel in terms of reach and popularity – a fact that has been globally applauded. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni recently described PM Modi as the world’s “most loved” leader, while the US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo observed that the Indian Prime Minister was an “unbelievable visionary” and the world’s most popular leader with the commitment to move India forward as a global power.
Mann Ki Baat captures the pulse of the nation in its progress towards becoming a developed country, in Amrit Kaal. Mann Ki Baat has attracted and inspired crores of Indians. The number of listeners has risen with each episode. PM Modi has sought to educate, guide, mentor and motivate fellow Indians to work for social change and national development beginning with their communities. Importantly, as Union Home Minister Amit Shah pointed out, Mann Ki Baat has been completely apolitical in nature.
The PM’s Modi regular communication evokes a powerful sense of pride in the motherland. He has highlighted local art and artisans, giving them much-needed recognition and brand value to help them reach out to buyers in India and abroad. It has also promoted khadi, which boosts the rural economy. The impact of the programme can be comprehended from the fact that since Modiji’s mention of domestic toy-making and support for the local toy industry in Mann Ki Baat, the import of toys fell sharply by 70 per cent from $371 million in 2018-19 to $110 million in 2021. Exports grew to $326 million from $202 million.
During the Covid-19 pandemic which disrupted lives and economies across the world, the monthly address lifted the spirit of the nation and infused a sense of positivity and cheer. PM Modi reached out to truck drivers and pilots through this programme and boosted their morale. He also had a word of appreciation for all Covid warriors.
Another important dimension of Mann Ki Baat is that it gave a huge impetus to several flagship initiatives of the government and transformed them into mass movements. These include Swachh Bharat and Beti Bachao and Beti Padhao. Another eloquent example is the resounding success of “Selfie with Daughter”. Domestic tourism has got a huge boost. Apart from widespread social awareness of cleanliness thanks to the Swachhta Abhiyaan, the message of water conservation was disseminated nationally with a sense of urgency. Similarly, the protection of the environment has now evolved into a movement.
Mann Ki Baat acknowledges the strength and power of 140 crore people and motivates them to give their best in the mission of nation-building. It is now being broadcast in 23 Indian and 11 foreign languages recording the nation’s developmental journey under the PM’s extraordinary leadership. In these 100 broadcasts, he has covered and highlighted a wide array of topics, including weather, environment, cleanliness, social issues, indigenous crafts, examinations, clean India, fit India, saving and educating the girl child, water conservation, being vocal for local products, self-reliant India and celebrating the cultural diversity of our great nation.
Mann Ki Baat episodes feature inspirational stories about unsung heroes, grassroots champions and changemakers across India.
While drawing our attention to a host of burning topics, changemakers and grass roots heroes, the PM’s monthly dialogue also outlines the roadmap for the future. The spirit of Jan Bhagidari with which this journey of development is suffused, harnesses the creative energies of the entire nation, notably its youth.
To mark 75 years of Independence, PM Modi hoisted the national flag for the ninth time from the ramparts of the Red Fort and spelt out his vision for the future, predicated on “Panch Pran”. In line with this futuristic view, he took a pledge along with 140 crore fellow countrymen to rid the country of the colonial mindset in Amrit Kaal. As he observed with great clarity, “Today, our pathways are our own, our symbols are our own.”
In the course of these 100 episodes, PM Modi touched upon several patriotic, social and cultural causes which people have embraced wholeheartedly and adopted. This includes the call for the celebration of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, commemorating 75 years of independence and his popular campaign to hoist the national flag in every home — Har Ghar Tiranga.
Mann Ki Baat is an authentic record of the extraordinary development journey of Bharat over the last nine years under PM Modi’s leadership. His monthly interface with the nation reinforces his image of a down-to-earth, sensitive, visionary, and powerful mass leader.
Writer : Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs & Food & Public Distribution and Textiles
