PM Modi’s Mann Ki Baat hits a century today

There is a marked difference in the subjects covered during the Prime Minister’s first and second term. While the episodes broadcast between 2014 and 2019 were more general and motivational in nature, the subsequent episodes projected a lot of government policies and initiatives.

For instance, in the first few years there were generic calls for cleanliness, yoga, sports and fitness and staying away from drugs; in the second phase the PM spoke about India’s booming export sector, government’s e-marketplace initiative, Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalaya, Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, Har Ghar Tiranga campaign, rise of digital payments, start-ups and unicorns and India’s advancing space sector.

During the two years of Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns — 2020 and 2021 — almost all episodes had a capsule on health-related concerns, such as following Covid-appropriate behaviour, vaccinations, lockdowns and consequent reopening.

What has been a constant is the direct connection that the show helped the PM establish with the masses, and their interest in hearing what he has to say — most of all, the inspiring stories pertaining to the common man.

Around 730 individuals have been mentioned by the Prime Minister in the show so far for their inspiring stories, say officials, adding that 281 private organisations (including NGOs, self-help groups and villages) have also been praised for their inspirational work. Most of these mentions have been from states and UTs like Assam (25), Gujarat (53), Jammu & Kashmir (29), Maharashtra (106), Karnataka (72), Uttar Pradesh (76) and Tamil Nadu (52). Even 38 individuals from foreign countries have found mentions for their extraordinary work and stories.

In November 2014, after the first edition of ‘Mann ki Baat’ on Vijay Dashmi the previous month, the Prime Minister had himself admitted about realising the power of messaging through the programme. He said, “Last time, we had some general conversations. But then I came to a realisation. Sometimes we think nothing is going to change, people are indifferent, they will not do anything, our country is like this.”

“Neither is our country like this nor our people indifferent. Sometimes I feel the nation is way ahead and the government is lagging behind,” he said in the wake of his request to people in the first episode to buy at least one khadi outfit.

“I had not asked anyone to be khadi-dhari. But the feedback I got from khadi stores was that in a week’s time, the sales jumped by 125 per cent,” he said during the 19-minute-long second episode.

The show’s recording and beaming is handled by a team from All India Radio (AIR), which manages 501 broadcasting stations across the country.

A senior official who has been privy to the programme’s evolution, says, “It started as an idea wherein the Prime Minister could make a direct interaction with the people.” Digital mediums were dismissed since not everyone could own them or use them. The concept was to reach the last man and the last mile. In that aspect, nothing could beat the seamless reach of the radio, he adds.

As per Prasar Bharati, which comprises both AIR and Doordarshan, the present terrestrial coverage of AIR is about 90 per cent of the country’s geographical area, and 98 per cent by its total population. A toll-free number was also introduced for citizens from remote areas so that they could share their ideas and suggestions for the upcoming episodes.

Officials say even though it was primarily a radio show, it was envisaged to be aired simultaneously on television through the Doordarshan network. Thereby, officials add, some visual elements were also meant to be added for television audiences, alongside the voice address.

Doordarshan uses its team of reporters to catch glimpses of people listening to the message on their radio sets and even mobile phones, especially in remote villages and far-flung areas, officials add. Doordarshan channels also simultaneously broadcast it in sign language.

Ninety-nine episodes later, even Pakistan and China have found unique mentions — Pakistan in the context of 50 years of Indo-Pak war in 2015, and China, when the PM celebrated Diwali with jawans on the China border, and how Chinese also celebrated International Yoga Day at the Great Wall of China in 2017. Post the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, without naming any country, the PM said: “Those who cast an evil eye on the Indian soil in Ladakh have got a befitting response”.

Official sources say the 100th episode may be “a fine balance between looking back and looking forward”, especially in the year ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha polls.