BJP leaders, including Union Ministers, tuned in on Sunday from various locations in India and abroad to listen to the “historic” 100th episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’, calling it an inspiring initiative to connect with the masses. The party had said that nearly four lakh venues would be set up for people to listen to the broadcast as it went all out to make the 100th episode a mega exercise in public connect.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, after listening to the programme with BJP members and others in Mumbai, said through ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Modi “crafts messages that venture into the nooks and corners of the nation”, building bridges between the people and the government. The Minister said as the monthly radio programme completed its 100th episode on Sunday, it has “left a splendid trail of impactful leadership examples”. ‘Mann Ki Baat’ is not just a radio programme but a movement for “social change for the better”, Shah tweeted.
“Modi ji’s words to achievers have inspired the young generation to take charge of the nation’s destiny and build a better future for all,” he said and added that “platforming dialogues on different regions, languages and dialects, he strengthens India’s social democracy”.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar joined members of the Indian community in Somerset, New Jersey, in the US at a special event to listen to the 100th episode of the programme. ‘Mann Ki Baat is the story of a changing India - a ‘New India - and is a connection between India and the world, he said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who listened to the 100th episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ at the BJP headquarters here, termed it “historic”. The programme strengthens mutual trust and development as well as connects people through radio, he said.
BJP national president JP Nadda tweeted, “Listened to the 100th episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ by Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji in Honnali, Karnataka.”
“‘Mann Ki Baat’ has led a transformative change in our society by popularising the stories of the people who have come up with inspiring solutions for the nation’s welfare,” he said.
Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari also called the 100th episode of programme “historic” and said this episode like those in the past was “special and inspiring”.
Whichever topic the prime minister took up in his radio broadcast, became “a mass movement”, he tweeted after listening to ‘Mann Ki Baat’ in Nagpur.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur, who was in Punjab, said in a series of tweets, “Today the world became witness to the historic 100th episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’, a programme which is completely non-political, completely dedicated to the people, completely dedicated to social welfare and upliftment.”
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi adityanath, who is in Karnataka for election campaigning, listened to the radio broadcast in Koppal district, while deputy chief ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak listened to “Mann ki Baat” in Prayagraj and Shravasti respectively.
Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel listened to the 100th episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Mann ki Baat” radio broadcast and also inaugurated a photo exhibition at the Raj Bhavan here on Sunday. A special programme was held at the Raj Bhawan on the occasion of the 100th episode of “Mann ki Baat”.
Interestingly, the radio programme was broadcast live in more than 300 madrasas of Uttar Pradesh, a BJP office-bearer in the State said on Sunday.