100th episode of Mann ki Baat was aired on 30th April 2023 in India. It was first aired on 3rd October 2014 and has become popular among citizens, since then. Scheduled at 11am, it broadcasts on last Sunday of each month. This monthly program was started by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with an aim to interact with citizens on themes and issues that matters to the nation. Prime Minister tweeted, ‘Do tune in at 11am for MannKiBaat100. This has been a truly special journey, in which we have celebrated the collective spirit of the people of India and highlighted inspiring life journeys’. A study says, nearly 96 percent of the population in India is aware of this program and that it has reached up to 100 Crore people over the last eight years. Out of 100 Crore listeners, some are unique ones who have listened the audio broadcast once, according to the study by Indian Institute of Management, Rohtak.
During the episode, Prime Minister shared his experience in this journey and said it connected him with citizens. ‘It is not a mere program, but a faith, prayer and fast. It is a spiritual journey’, he said. He further added, ‘When I became Prime Minister, life was all different. Countryfolk are everything to me, I cannot live in discrete. Man ki Baat has given me a way to connect with my people. It is like a plate of offerings at the steps of people like god.’ He was heard recalling the moments when he became emotional, ‘There have been instances where I became extremely emotional while telling stories of people to the listeners that I had to re-record this program from the beginning.’ He mentioned several campaigns that were introduced and pushed through this program like ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’, ‘Swachh Bharat’ and how this project has become a celebration.
Some people listen Mann Ki Baat with friends, some with family members while others during travelling. Pushpa is a housewife and never miss a chance to tune in to this program. ‘Mann Ki Baat has turned into a monthly routine for me and my friends. Me and my friends always catch up and never miss out on this program. Hearing Prime Minister talking about significant issues but also includes personal interactions, is my favorite thing’, she said. In addition, she also shared that this program is not politics driven and is not influenced by any current controversies.
Mann Ki Baat has gone global as London based India’s High Commission to the UK made arrangements for people to watch the special telecast. The program was telecasted into 22 Indian languages and 22 dialects, whereas was broadcasted in 11 foreign languages such as French and Indonesian. According to Pushpa, an Indian radio program is being loved by people across the world is a proud moment. She said, ‘This is the first time when other countries are putting efforts in making this particular program reach to as many people as it is possible, means it is demanded. Through this program, Prime Minister Modi is passing message of awareness and the value of personal interactions with citizens.’
Director General of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Audrey Azoulay congratulated on broadcasting of 100th episode of Mann Ki Baat by Indian Prime Minister and said that the organization is and India have long common history in all areas including education, science, culture and information. During the program was on-air, Azoulay asked how country like India with second largest population can achieve quality education? Prime Minister Modi responded and mentioned examples from the show where he included names of those who worked selflessly towards imparting education, he also recalled the story of late D Prakash Rao, who was a tea seller and made his mission to educate underprivileged children, a man named Sanjay Kashyap who runs digital library in villages of Jharkhand and a lady named Hemlata NK, who helped children through e-learning during Covid-19.
The program does not have a gender based audience and is open to watch and listen for everybody. Similarly, the language preferred for the program is Hindi as maximum Indian population understands Hindi. Pushpa told EAT news that the program does not restrict any gender or age group but is open for everybody. ‘The good thing is everybody can watch this program. No specific gender or age group is excluded which means the program is drafted after considering each all citizens. Plus, Hindi language is comfortable for everybody around people living in North, South, East or West. I particularly suggest to all the parents, to make their kids sit and listen this program. It is a treasure for young people, because societal awareness is as important as any other subject. And live interactions makes it more interesting and informative’, Pushpa believes.
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