This is an archive article published on May 27, 2014
Modi’s pet project for kids ‘Meet the CM’ suspended
It’s a programme started in January 2011, where children got the chance to ask him questions through a virtual forum.
Written by Ritu Sharma
Ahmedabad | May 27, 2014 04:04 AM IST
3 min read
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Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation is now in a fix on whether to continue it with same title or not.
With the state in its transition phase after Narendra Modi took over as the Prime Minister in New Delhi, one of his pet projects “Meet the CM”, a part of the Kid’s City at Kankaria Lake where Modi answered questions asked by children, has been suspended for the time being.
The reason for it is that Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation is now in a fix on whether to continue it with the same title, but with new CM Anandi Patel or with the change of guard and replace it with “Meet the PM” or “Meet the ex-CM”.
“Meet the CM”, introduced on January 1, 2011, when the renovated Kankaria lakefront in Maninagar was inaugurated by Modi, is a programme where children got the chance to ask him questions through a virtual forum. Answers to a set of 100 questions were recorded on a set created at the CMO that matched exactly with the Kid’s City interior giving an impression to the children of a live interaction.
C R Kharsan Deputy Municipal Commissioner (South Zone) said, “At the moment, with a complete change in guard in the state, the ‘Meet the CM’ programme has been stalled. The decision to continue or change it would be taken by the new CM.” It is said to have been conceived by the Kankaria planning team in consultation with Modi.
“Such was the popularity that we had even proposed another set of 50 questions, but with the election and his busy schedule, it could not get through. Now, with its suspension, we are forced to deny them the opportunity. The popularity can be assessed from the fact that on weekends, over 450-500 children visit Kid’s City, and among these over 90 per cent choose this. The students are not charge any additional fee for asking a question. If they want, they can even carry home the answers recorded on a DVD at an additional cost of Rs 30,” said one of the organisers.
Questions that were…
Some of the questions include an incident of bravery from Modi’s childhood, his favourite movie, about Modi’s kurtass, what was that one thing he wanted to do after he became the CM and is he could do that, his favourite childhood sport, his favourite food, how he reacts to things the media say about him, has he ever copied in an examination, etc.
Ritu Sharma is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express' Gujarat bureau, an editorial position that reflects her experience and Authority in regional journalism. With over a decade of concentrated reporting experience, she is a highly Trustworthy and specialized journalist, especially noted for her Expertise in the education sector across Gujarat and previously Chandigarh.
Expertise
Primary Authority (Education): With over ten years of dedicated reporting on education in both Gujarat and Chandigarh, Ritu Sharma is a foremost authority on educational policy, institutional governance, and ground realities from "KG to PG." Her coverage includes:
Higher Education: In-depth scrutiny of top institutions like IIM-Ahmedabad (controversies over demolition/restoration of heritage architecture), IIT-Bombay (caste discrimination issues), and new initiatives like international branch campuses in GIFT City.
Schooling & Policy: Detailed coverage of government schemes (Gyan Sadhana School Voucher Scheme), the implementation and impact of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, teacher recruitment issues, and the impact of national policies like the NEP.
Student Welfare: Reporting on critical issues such as suicide allegations due to caste discrimination, and the challenges faced by students (e.g., non-delivery of NAMO tablets). ... Read More
3 min read
Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation is now in a fix on whether to continue it with same title or not.
