Mann Ki Baat’s (MKB) first episode was aired on October 3, 2014, on the occasion of Vijayadashami. In his first address through the radio after becoming the Prime Minister, PM Modi gave a call for ‘Swachh Bharat’. Rather than making MKB a government program, the PM made it a “people’s movement”, urging citizens to join hands together to make the country clean. Following this, a new era of cleanliness began in the country where people participated in multiple cleanliness drives, with great zest.
In the September 29, 2019 episode of Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi stressed on eliminating single-use plastic. He also spoke of the ban on e-cigarettes, while the “Selfie with Daughter” campaign got overwhelming support from the citizens. The effect of amplifying the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) campaign via the Mann Ki Baat platform also paid rich dividends, with the sex ratio at birth (SRB) improving by 16 points from 918 in 2014-15 to 934 in 2019-20 and the gross enrollment ratio of girls in schools at the secondary level improving from 77.45 per cent to 81.32 per cent. Of course, the SRB today is even higher. According to the National Family Health Survey, India’s SRB in 2022 was very healthy, at 1020 females per 1000 males.
The moot point is, through his Mann Ki Baat radio broadcast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi crafts messages that venture into the nooks and corners of the nation, building bridges between the people and the government, “leaving a splendid trail of impactful leadership examples”, as was aptly described by Union Home Minister, Amit Shah.
In the 112 episodes to date of MKB, PM Modi has addressed many issues and topics spanning space, history, youth, technology, solar energy, Covid, governance, so on and so forth. He made an interesting remark on Seydou Dembele from Mali during the 69th episode of Mann Ki Baat. Dembele, a teacher at a public school in Kita, Mali, a country in West Africa, has a deep affection for India. Every Sunday afternoon, Dembele presents a one-hour radio programme named ‘Indian Frequency on Bollywood Songs’. He has been presenting this programme for the last 23 years. He has tremendous love for India. “Recently, he started another two-hour programme every Sunday, in which he tells the story of a Bollywood movie in French and Bambara (the national language of Mali),” the PM said.
PM Modi highlighted the contributions made by Birsa Munda to the nation in the areas of freedom, culture, and the environment during the 82nd episode of his monthly Mann Ki Baat programme. Again, in the 62nd episode of MKB, Modi cited the example of a 105-year-old woman from Kerala who continued her education despite her old age and inspired people to never let the student inside them die. However, two years later at the age of 107, Nari Shakti awardee, Bhageerathi Amma passed away due to age-related illnesses.
The last episode of MKB in Modi 2.0 was telecast on February 25, 2024. After a brief hiatus due to model code of conduct related (MCC) restrictions, MKB resumed in June, with the 111th episode. The 111th episode also happens to be the first MKB episode of Modi 3.0, having been aired on June 30, 2024. The 112th episode was aired on July 28, 2024.
In the 111th and 112th episodes, PM Modi spoke about India’s participation in the Paris Olympics 2024, the success at the International Mathematics Olympiad and the promotion of Project PARI and handlooms. He also announced the inclusion of Charaideo Maidam in Assam as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. “It will be the 43rd site of India, but the first site from the Northeast… Charaideo means a shining city on the hills. It was the first capital of the Ahom dynasty. The people of the Ahom dynasty traditionally kept the mortal remains of their ancestors and their valuables in the Moidams,” said Modi during MKB.
Project PARI, specifically speaking, is a great medium to bring emerging artists on one platform to popularise public art and paintings made on the roadsides, on walls and in underpasses. National Handloom Day is coming up on August 7. Now many private companies are also promoting handloom products and sustainable fashion through AI, said Modi, as he went on to highlight how 250 women of Rohtak district of Haryana, associated with the handloom industry have benefitted tremendously. PM Modi also spoke of a special centre named MANAS, making it a major step in the fight against drugs. Recently, the helpline and portal for MANAS were launched. The government has also issued a toll-free number – 1933. Anyone can call this number to receive necessary advice or information related to rehabilitation. Apart from the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyan’, PM Modi spoke of the “Axe Band Panchayat” campaign that started from Ranthambore in Rajasthan, whereby the local communities have taken an oath that they will not go to the forest with an axe and will not cut trees, in a bid to create a better environment.
During his 111th and 112th MKB addresses, PM Modi expressed gratitude to the nation for reaffirming faith in India’s Constitution and democratic system during the 2024 elections, hailed as the world’s largest. He praised the Election Commission and all involved in the electoral process. Modi also highlighted ‘Hool Diwas’, celebrated by tribal communities, honouring the brave Sidhu-Kanhu who fiercely resisted foreign rule’s injustices. More importantly, the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign launched on World Environment Day this year, urging global participation in tree planting, is yet another glowing example of how MKB is being used by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to raise awareness about non-political issues that resonate with commoners. Modi also mentioned the ‘Karthumbi Umbrella’, a special type of umbrella made in Kerala by tribal women, during his radio address. These umbrellas are made under the supervision of women of ‘Vattalakki Cooperative Agricultural Society’ at Attappadi in Kerala. Reflecting on history, Modi recounted how Veer Sidhu-Kanhu led the Santhal rebellion against British oppression in 1855, two years before India’s first War of Independence in 1857, in the Santhal Pargana region of Jharkhand.
There are so many products from India which are in great demand across the world and when we see any local product of India going global, it is natural to feel proud. One such product is Araku coffee and it is to PM Modi’s credit for bringing Araku coffee into the centre stage of discussions.
An interesting survey conducted by IIM Rohtak found that there are over 230 million regular listeners of MKB, with 96 per cent of the population being aware of this unprecedented radio programme. Note, the total population of the USA is about 330 million. So basically, every month, a population equal to almost 70 per cent of the overall US population, watches MKB regularly and that is exemplary by any yardstick. What is even more noteworthy is that 73 per cent of the respondents of the survey were very optimistic and felt the country is progressing under the aegis of PM Modi. 58 per cent of the listeners responded by saying their living conditions have improved, while a similar number (59 per cent) have reported increased trust in the Modi government. While 23 crore people tune in to the programme regularly, another 41 crore constitute an occasional audience that has the scope of being converted into a regular audience. 62 per cent of the respondents between the ages of 19 to 34 preferred watching it on TV. Hindi grabs a major chunk of the listeners of Mann Ki Baat, with 65 per cent of the audience preferring it over any other language while English comes in second place with 18 per cent. Apart from 22 Indian languages and 29 dialects, Mann Ki Baat is broadcast in 11 foreign languages, besides English, namely, French, Chinese, Indonesian, Tibetan, Burmese, Baluchi, Arabic, Pashto, Persian, Dari and Swahili.
The charisma of MKB lies in the fact that it is non-political in its basic essence and ethos. It is a platform between the listeners and their leader, who wants to hear, be heard, solve issues, take feedback, give friendly advice, redress grievances and offer solutions for challenges both visible and invisible, thereby preparing countrymen and women for the exciting road ahead, as India takes a giant leap forward towards empowerment and transformation.
PM Modi ushered in the Amrit Kaal by laying down the “Panch Pran” i.e., five pledges that every citizen of Bharat must take to lay the unshakable foundation of the future Bharat. Each of these Panch Pran is focused on inspiring action and facilitating nation-building. The pran or pledges include the goal of a developed Bharat; removing any traces of colonial mindset; celebrating our heritage; strengthening our unity and last but not least; focusing on our duties. India, as in Bharat, was able to not only produce indigenous vaccines for the benefit of both its citizens and the world during Covid, but more importantly, it gave lessons to the world in crisis management. And it was via the MKB podium that PM Modi repeatedly urged and made fervent appeals for “Vocal for Local” in terms of vaccine production and vaccine usage, denouncing pressure to import vaccines.
MKB has indeed been a stellar platform for promoting the StartUp India campaign, fueling innovation and entrepreneurship among young people in India. The digital revolution in our country, to the largest scale, has also been popularised through this iconic radio programme. To say that MKB is yet another tool for transforming the lives of our citizens and uniting them to contribute to the broader goal of a developed nation would not be far-fetched. Be it promoting the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or motivating people to work towards the goal of Bharat becoming a Vishwa Guru or adding the call of “Sabka Prayas” to the mantra of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas”, or invoking the people to make their contribution in the journey of building an Atmanirbhar Bharat, PM Modi’s Mann Ki Baat has made stellar contributions in highlighting the nation’s progress through Jan Bhaagidari. Another significant achievement is that Modi has used this “radio kranti” and iconic program to reinvigorate our diversely rich socio-cultural legacy. As a result, Indians have now started celebrating their traditions and festivals with even greater zeal, thereby promoting harmony and goodwill.
“Mann ki Baat has catalyzed community-led action on sanitation, health, women’s economic empowerment and other issues linked to the Sustainable Development Goals”, said Bill Gates, while congratulating PM Modi, in a post on X. This “radio kranti” (MKB) has established direct contact with those staying in remote and far-flung areas, including the most downtrodden in our society who have had the unforgettable opportunity of interfacing with the PM, on the last Sunday of every month.
In the iconic 100th episode of MKB, among many other interesting anecdotes, PM Modi recalled the yeoman service by Pradeep Sangwan towards Swachh Bharat and tourism via his “Healing Himalayas” initiative, the entrepreneurial spirit of Vijayashanti of Manipur who has made manufacturing of clothes from lotus stem fibre into a profitable, commercial venture, the spirit of Manzoor Ahmed from Jammu and Kashmir, whose pencils have travelled the globe and the 20,000 unsung tribal women from Vellore in Tamil Nadu who worked tirelessly for revival and restoration of the Nag river.
In a post on X last week, Modi said, “As this year’s Independence Day approaches, let’s again make Har Ghar Tiranga a memorable mass movement. I am changing my profile picture and I urge you all to join me in celebrating our Tricolour by doing the same. And yes, do share your selfies on harghartiranga.com.”
As India celebrates the 77th anniversary of its Independence on August 15, let us strive to make Mann Ki Baat a social movement that touches everyone, in the generous spirit of inclusivity that PM Modi epitomises in more ways than one.
Sanju Verma is an Economist, National Spokesperson of the BJP and the Bestselling Author of ‘The Modi Gambit’. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.