Mann Ki Baat @ 100: PM's monthly address made major impact on psyche, attitude of people: PPRC

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s radio broadcast ‘Mann Ki Baat’ achieved a milestone as it completed its 100th episode on Sunday. One of its kind public outreach programme, the show has brought about significant transformation in the Indian demographic, initiating mass movements towards various social causes ranging from cleanliness, environment protection, and promotion of 'make in India' products to showcasing the country’s jan shakti, says the report by BJP’s think tank, Public Policy Research Centre (PPRC).

The PPRC, after analysing the 100 editions of Mann Ki Baat, says driven by people’s suggestions and Modi’s broad vision, India has stepped on a new path of development along with building immense national cohesiveness.

“Fuelled by PM’s constant motivation and spark of encouragement, Mann Ki Baat as a platform has created heroes from the ground by invoking the population’s deeply embedded self-reliance. The analysis of the first 100 editions of Mann Ki Baat asserts the fact that the platform has emerged as a medium to celebrate India’s distinct culture, identity, and political setup,” states the report.

The report argues that Mann Ki Baat has transformed the country’s mindset and inculcated a positive outlook amongst people through powerful messages coupled with a practice of open dialogue.

During his monthly programme, Modi had taken up various topics to engage with people, and cited examples of ordinary Indians who are engaged in silent reformative works across the country. His invocation of these people turned the latter into mini-celebrities, apart from highlighting the work they were doing.

“It was through Mann Ki Baat that a sense of resilience and unity was maintained and sustained in the face of adversities brought by the deadly Covid-19 pandemic. The prime minister has celebrated India’s cultural richness and diversity, reinvigorating India’s ancient soul. The PM has celebrated India’s luminary figures, propagated the teachings and learnings of various ancient texts and different religions and festivals, and promoted tourism, illustrating the beauty of incredible India,” PPRC said.

The report cites the recent IIM Rohtak survey, commissioned by Prasar Bharati, saying the programme has been heard by over 100 crore people in the last eight years. According to this IIM report, 23 crore individuals tune in to the programme regularly while another 41 crore constitute an occasional audience. It was the prime minister’s ability to establish “an emotional connection with the audience, his decisive leadership, and his empathetic approach” that made the programme popular, the report claims.

The IIM study adds that 73 per cent of listeners felt optimistic about the country’s progress. Additionally, 58 per cent have reported an improvement in their living conditions and 59 per cent have mentioned an increased trust in the government.

The PPRC report says the PM’s numerous appeals on Mann Ki Baat to revive Khadi have resulted in a significant jump in sales and production of Khadi across India (179 per cent and 115 per cent growth respectively from 2013 to 2020), directly resulting in the empowerment of the artisans and weavers involved in Khadi production, significantly boosting their income by 33 per cent and 10 per cent respectively.

“Prime minister’s appeals on Mann Ki Baat to make ‘Swachhata’ a mass movement have been more than fruitful, with numerous people-driven movements being reported from all corners in the country. Another crucial issue addressed by the PM on Mann Ki Baat was the sex ratio across the country. The PM’s Mann Ki Baat has helped make ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ a success story by invoking maximum people’s participation. From 943 in 2011, India’s sex ratio has improved to 1020 in 2019-21, as per NFHS-5 data,” PPRC says.

The report says the PM’s monthly radio address has had a significant impact on the psyche and attitudes of the general public, turning various government initiatives into mass movements.

The programme was broadcast in 22 Indian languages and 29 dialects, and 11 foreign languages—French, Chinese, Indonesian, Tibetan, Burmese, Baluchi, Arabic, Pashto, Persian, Dari and Swahili.

Dr. Sumeet Bhasin, director of PPRC, says, “Mann Ki Baat, apart from its role in reconnecting Indians with their rich legacy, narrated inspiring stories from all the corners of the country, instilled positivity during the Covid-19 pandemic, and promoted a lifestyle for environment, and most importantly, awakened the society for collective action.”