Stating that citizens mentioned in his monthly radio programme ‘Mann ki Baat’ become “inspiration to each other”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said whether it is about ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’, or the ‘Swachh Bharat’ movement, love for Khadi , Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav or Amrit Sarovar, “any subject it got associated with was turned into a mass movement” by the people of the country.
The Prime Minister’s radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’ completed its 100th episode on Sunday. The milestone was regarded as “historic” as the episode was also broadcast live at the United Nations headquarters in New York and the UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, featured in the 100th episode too. Azoulay has hailed the radio programme, saying it is certainly one of the most celebrated, with its hundreds of millions of listeners in more than 50 languages and dialects.
‘Mann Ki Baat’, the programme hosted by Modi was first aired on October 3, 2014 within months of his becoming the Prime Minister. Modi expressed his deep satisfaction for completing the 100th chapter of the talk. “Mann Ki Baat’ has become a spiritual journey of my being,” said Modi, while recounting several episodes and individuals who were recognised by the programme. The Prime Minister said each episode of the programne has become like a festival, awaited by all each month. ‘Mann Ki Baat’ has become a unique festival of goodness and positivity of the countrymen.
A festival that comes every month, keenly awaited by all of us. We celebrate positivity in this. We also celebrate people’s participation in this “, he said. Modi also said ‘Mann Ki Baat’ is the “‘Mann Ki Baat’ of crores of Indians, it is the expression of their feelings.”
An emotional Prime Minister said “for me ‘Mann Ki Baat’ is not a program, for me it is a matter of faith, of worship, or Vrat. Like when people go to worship God, they bring along a Thaal of Prasad. For me, ‘Mann Ki Baat’ is like a Thaal of Prasad at the feet of God in the form of Janata-Janardan, the people. ‘Mann Ki Baat’ has become a spiritual journey of my being.”
In the centurion episode, Modi spoke, among others, to Sunil Jugran from Haryana who attained fame for his ‘selfie with daughter’, Vijay Shanti from Manipur who spins thread from lotus flower and Pradeep Sangwan, doing pioneering work of collecting garbage left behind by the tourists in Himalayas.
“Today we are completing the 100th episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ with the same spirit of Charaiveti Charaiveti. In strengthening the social fabric of India, ‘Mann Ki Baat’ is like the thread of a rosary, holding each bead together,” said the Prime Minister.
“In every episode, the spirit of service and capability of the countrymen have inspired others. In this program, every countryman becomes an inspiration to other countrymen. In a way, every episode of Mann Ki Baat prepares the ground for the next episode”, said Modi.
The Prime Minister said he has an “unwavering belief” that the biggest change can be brought about by “collective effort.”
“Through ‘Mann Ki Baat’, many mass movements have come into being and gained momentum. For example, the very mission to re-establish our toys and our toy industry started with ‘Mann Ki Baat’. The beginning of raising awareness about Indian breed dogs, our native dogs, was also started with ‘Mann Ki Baat’ only,” he sought to point-out.
