Mrityunjay Dixit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s monthly radio program ‘Mann Ki Baat’ created history by successfully completing its 100 episodes. This became such a program in the history of All India Radio in which the Prime Minister interacted directly with the general public and kept it separate from politics. It is a pleasant experience that ‘Mann Ki Baat’ has become a great vehicle of change in India. Helped to get the Indian society out of despair and darkness. Gave new wings to development and progress. India’s cultural heritage was revived with ‘Mann Ki Baat’. Forgotten traditions were remembered again. There was a renaissance of Hindu cultural nationalism.
Just like in the history of Doordarshan, the Ramayana serial used to make people all over India sit in front of TV sets in their homes, similarly today on the last Sunday of every month, people sit down to listen to ‘Mann Ki Baat’. It is not that only Modi supporters listen to ‘Mann Ki Baat’. This is heard by traditional political opponents. It is a big thing that ‘Mann Ki Baat’ is broadcast live in 53 countries of the world and even more important is that the views or messages that Prime Minister Modi expresses in ‘Mann Ki Baat’ are liked by citizens of every age group of the country. Also tries to put into practice. That’s why it becomes a mass movement.
The program also witnessed the success of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign through campaigns like ‘Selfie with Daughter’. The cleanliness movement has taken a wide form. In ‘Mann Ki Baat’ itself, the Prime Minister focused the attention of the citizens on the garbage spread on the seashore and its cleaning. It was appealed many times in ‘Mann Ki Baat’ that the youth and all other citizens of the country must go on pilgrimage somewhere once in a year. Modi says that instead of traveling abroad, it is better to visit 15 historical and religious places of our own state or other states. They should be known and understood. ‘Mann Ki Baat’ proved to be an important medium in promoting tourism activities. Today, spring has come in all the religious and tourist places of the country. Religious tourism has also got a lot of boost. New tourist places are also being discussed a lot. Pandharpur in Maharashtra and places in far flung Manipur and Saurashtra were known by many people only through ‘Mann Ki Baat’.
Along with tourism, the Prime Minister also promotes Local for Vocal. This has the effect that people are liking local products. The success of their marketing is kissing the sky. Now on Diwali, not China made Ganesh-Lakshmi idols, idols made in the country are being preferred. The market for Chinese skirtings sold only on Diwali has collapsed. The potter’s wheel has started turning once again.
On the appeal of the Prime Minister, now a new revolution is coming in the world of children’s toys as well. China’s supremacy has also ended in these. The talk of the Prime Minister has affected the children. He is now listening to the stories of grandparents and grandparents. Programs on such stories are being organized in educational institutions. Another success of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ is the digitization boom in India. Mann Ki Baat has made the water conservation campaign a success. People have been made aware about environmental protection. The confluence of Yoga, Ayurveda and spirituality has started creating ripples in the hearts of people. Resolutions like Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat are getting an opportunity to be fulfilled. The day is not far when sports commentary will also be in Sanskrit and regional languages. The Prime Minister has shared his views on presenting it in his program. The Prime Minister said in the 100th episode – ‘For me, the program of Mann Ki Baat is faith and worship. It is a journey from self to self. It is a journey from the self to the universe. The pleasant thing is that today research is being done on ‘Mann Ki Baat’ in many institutions.
(The author is a freelance commentator.)
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