‘I tried to keep the people of this country at the centre of the Mann Ki Baat programme’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the 36th episode of his monthly radio broadcast “Mann ki Baat” on Sunday morning to clear the air over his motivations behind the programme and his conscious attempts at keeping “politics” away from it.
“I got a unique opportunity of connecting with people through the programme, and know their feelings, wishes, aspirations and even complaints and I never said that this is my ‘Mann Ki Baat’ (my voice),” he said.
“Acharya Vinobha Bhave always used to say that ‘apolitical is effective.’ I too tried to keep the people of this country at the centre of the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme. I kept it away from politics,” Mr. Modi said.
“I have tried to remain connected with you, with a stable mind, instead of getting swayed by the heat, anger that may prevail at a particular time,” he said.
Key issues
During the 30-minute broadcast, he recalled some of the issues flagged by him through the programme over the last three years, talked about the cleanliness campaign, urged the countrymen to explore the incredible diversity and beauty of India and spoke about the FIFA Under-17 World Cup tournament being held in the country.
He also hailed the wives of two martyrs, Swati Mahadik and Nidhi Mishra Dubey, who recently joined the Army. “It is natural for every countryman to have respect for these brave women. I congratulate these sisters. They have created new inspiration and awareness among the people of the country,” Mr. Modi said.
The broadcast appeared to be answering critics in the Opposition who had accused him of being impervious to burning issues that concerned the people and only articulating what he felt was important.
He clarified that he received inputs from all corners of the country but he was able to articulate only a few of these during the programme. He recalled that in the last episode, a “pledge” was taken for launching a cleanliness campaign 15 days ahead of Mahatma Gandhi's birthday on October 2. Mr. Modi said President Ram Nath Kovind had started this campaign and all sections had got associated with it, be it the sports stars, cine stars, academicians, schools, colleges, universities, farmers, officers or armed forces personnel.
He made a special mention of Bilal Dar, a Srinagar-based youth who has been carrying out a cleanliness drive for the last 5-6 years on his own and has now been made brand ambassador of cleanliness by the Srinagar Municipality.
The Prime Minister noted that October was a month of greatness for India as several noted freedom fighters and social activists were born in that month including Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel, Jayprakash Narayan and Nanaji Deshmukh. He also mentioned Deendayal Upadhyaya whose centenary year would be ending on Monday.
Common thread
“What was the common thing among all these greats? Their sole objective was to live for the country and do something for the country and they proved it,” Mr. Modi said. On the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel on October 31, a ‘Run for Unity — Ek Bharat, Shresht Bharat’ will be organised, he said.
He also urged the countrymen to travel within the country to explore the diversity and richness of Indian culture, even though he had no objection to their going abroad for tourism.