Mann Ki Baat has accorded such unsung heroes their rightful places in the national consciousness

Over 700 instances of courageous acts of social change agents from all walks of life are mentioned in 99 episodes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat. Hundreds of social change agents fought the odds to pursue the social goal of the collective well-being of the people in their surroundings. They had been unsung heroes of India, and the country needs many of them as the journey to $30 trillion by 2047 to become the third-largest economy in the world has begun.

Mann Ki Baat has accorded such unsung heroes their rightful places in the national consciousness. PM Modi lent his voice to the tales of such heroes. They were bringing changes in their surroundings by exhibiting a remarkable understanding of the pressing global challenges such as Climate Change, gender equality, food security, preservation of the environment, social inequity, women empowerment, child development, etc.

Now that millions of people in the country have become aware of the tales and toils of the social change agents, it becomes incumbent to institutionalise the efforts made by PM Modi in Mann Ki Baat. Dissemination of tales of social changes for the well-being of all should gain a special focus from all the stakeholders. This may require institutionalized adjustments of the Ministries of the Central government, as well as of the state administrations. India in its journey to the third-largest economy will need all hands on deck.

Prasar Bharti, which has the superintendence of All Indian Radio, has to aim for a major overhaul to become the first choice of information consumption by the people.  The survey report of the outreach of Mann Ki Baat revealed that there were more watchers than listeners. This affirms that India is on the path of transformation with tradition and modernity walking hand in hand. This is the wealth of India. It must be enriched to the advantage of the country. PM Modi has shown glimpses that there is a wealth of tales in the country, which are otherwise ignored by the mainstream media, but they enjoy greater audience interests. Thus, documentaries in short, medium and long formats must gain the attention of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and the endeavour may not necessarily be a departmental outreach. If an ecosystem could be nurtured where independent storytellers are roped in, the objective may be achieved faster.

India needs a moral anchor for its economic advancement. When India becomes the third largest economy in the world, the country should be globally known for its caring society. The emphasis of PM Modi in Mann Ki Baat is to guide the people to such a state where they are caring for others and share their values and assets with the people in the surrounding.    

India is at a critical juncture. India grew from a $2 trillion economy to a $3 trillion economy in 2014 in just eight years. Gains now need to be accelerated. From $3 trillion to a $5 trillion economy has to be achieved in a shorter space of time. At a time when economic changes are taking place at a rapid pace, it’s incumbent that social changes keep pace.

This makes the task of a fast-paced social transformation imminent, which has been carried with ease by PM Modi in Mann Ki Baat, and that now needs several carriers from all walks of life and all across the country. The spirit of ‘we can do it’, and ‘we must do it’ must become the guiding lamp for the people. Whatever institutional intervention is required for the purpose must be speedily provided for by the stakeholders, including the Ministries of the Central government and the agencies of the states. PM Modi by all accounts has demonstrated the scale of a political leader donning the hat of a social reformer. This attribute requires to be institutionalised. 

PM Modi through Mann Ki Baat has laid the transformational foundation for definitive changes in society, which can touch all walks of life, including politics. This has been demonstrated during the Covid-19 pandemic, which has also been captured by PM Modi in Mann Ki Baat extensively, that when the country was under lockdown and there was a section of the society that faced the prospects of hunger the social groups took the lead in meeting the challenges. Such social groups consisted of several political activists, who responded to the top priority of the day, to demonstrate that service to humanity and society is also the means of politics. Building a society of equity and people of character who can become symbols for global recognition for perfection will require further intense investments by all the stakeholders. Mann Ki Baat is a torchlight in the endeavour.

(Author is a policy analyst)