Prime Minister connected to people over radio with programme, Mann Ki Baat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 3 October 2014 addressed the countrymen over radio for the first time in his programme Mann Ki Baat. Mann ki Baat is a new initiative of Modi to reach out to maximum populace

In his address, he advocated for use of Khadi products as homage to Mahatma Gandhi and said that the use of Khadi at least as a handkerchief or bed sheet would benefit poor and light the lamp of prosperity in their house. He also impressed upon people to generate confidence among them including the specially-able children.

He cited two examples so that people can shed despondency and use their skills for betterment and prosperity of the country. The examples were a short story of Swami Vivekananda about how a lion brought up by sheep rediscovered his prowess after coming in touch with another lion.

He promised to make such radio broadcast a regular affair and invited ideas from the citizens while noting that he had been receiving a number of suggestions since it was announced that he would be addressing the nation over radio.

History of Radio talks by leaders
The radio talks were first started by the US President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He started the process of communication with his countrymen to deal with the effects of the 2nd World War and economic downfall in US. Historians have categorized Roosevelt’s programme as relief, recovery and reform. In this relief meant for unemployed people, recovery meant boosting the economy back to normal and reform meant long-term fixes of what was wrong mainly in terms of financial and banking systems.

Further, the process was once again started by President Ronald Reagan in 1982. At present, President Barack Obama every week communicates with his countrymen through a video chat.