A day long National Conclave on Mann Ki Baat was organised today at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi to mark the continued success of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s monthly radio broadcast ‘Mann Ki Baat’ that has reached over 100 crore people across India. The conclave was inaugurated by Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankar in the presence of Guest of Honour, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Shri Anurag Thakur. Over 100 esteemed citizens from various parts of the country who have been mentioned by the Prime Minister in various episodes of “Mann Ki Baat” also attended the event. Four panel discussion sessions highlighting the wide-ranging themes of “Nari Shakti”, “Virasat Ka Uthan”, “Jan Samvad Se Atmanirbharta” and “Ahwan Se Jan Andolan”.

The fourth session was on the theme ‘Awahan Se Jan Andolan’ where in the panellists discussed how ‘Mann ki Baat’ has become a platform from where several important campaigns and people’s movements have originated. Right from the very first ‘Mann ki Baat’, when the Prime Minister had given the clarion call of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the addresses have time and again inspired the people to take action on important issues. To discuss these campaigns, the session was moderated by RJ Sharad and the esteemed panellists included Mr. Aamir Khan, actor, Dr. Shashank R. Joshi, endocrinologist and diabetologist, Ms. Deepmala Pandey, school principal, Ms. Karishma Mehta, writer and photographer and Prof. Najma Akhtar, educationist and administrator. Ms. Deepmala Pandey’s ‘One teacher, one call’ initiative for children with special needs was appreciated by Prime Minister in Mann Ki Baat in September, 2021.

Radio Jockey Mr. Sharad at the very onset said that PM’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ is a positive magnet that has attracted millions of people and touched their hearts and started many campaigns. He said that similarly the esteemed panellists have a magnet of positivity in them with a willingness and power to do something positive. Talking to Actor Aamir Khan about how he supports social causes such as single use plastic ban, Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign, through his body of works, the moderator asked Mr. Aamir Khan what attracts him the most towards the platform ‘Mann Ki Baat’ (MKB).

Mr. Aamir Khan said the programme and concept of MKB is the biggest example of transformational change and people’s movement. He said as the leader of such a large country, it is imperative for PM to talk to the people and let every know what is in his mind and guide the masses. He said the reason for the success of MKB is that PM made an effort to connect with the masses which is very important as it takes people into confidence and gives them the vision and direction and becomes the start of a people’s movement. Mr. Khan further said that it is only because PM wants to connect with the masses, he has invested in it and there is an emotion behind it which comes through and that is why people believe and trust Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. This trust has been built over time and trust has to be earned and clearly the PM has earned it.

Dr. Shashank R. Joshi, endocrinologist and diabetologist called Prime Minister Modi a father figure and said PM feels the pain of the people. When the COVID pandemic affected us all, PM expressed full confidence on Indian Doctors and scientists which is very significant and PM, based on this confidence, made a roadmap and has led India to become Aatmanirbhar and empowered India through his effective leadership and helped ally the fear in the minds of the masses through MKB & gave confidence to all. Dr. Shashank further said that each and every life was considered important by the PM and he wanted to save all lives and reduce their pain which became a motivator for all doctors and scientists to do better. Now covid is gone but India made its own vaccine and vaccinated all its citizens. Through MKB, PM made masses aware and like a father figure he understood everyone’s problems and allayed fear and also gave motivation to all to excel and become number one in the world. He said PM does not compromise on anything especially excellence. PM could get done what the world could not, and the credit for it goes to the leader of the nation.

Prof. Najma Akhtar, Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia University said the 100^th episode is coming and MKB has become a mass movement because of the vision of PM Modi. PM chose Radio as a medium which is available with all rich and poor alike and this has had an equalising impact on the society. Talking about the research being undertaken at the university regarding MKB, she said people have been motivated through the radio programme in their own unique ways and this exceptional way of communication is being celebrated as a festival. She also talked about the upcoming symposium being organised in the university on MKB and various other initiatives.

Mr. Aamir khan said “communication is a fundamental requirement for any leader and the ability to speak with the masses, about women issues, economics and other issues that affect the people is a very important quality and PM has this exceptional quality to express these things to a common man and connect with them and these are extremely important qualities of a great leader. PM does not need to campaign as he has such a massive reach that he simple has to directly communicate, and takes everyone along.”

Ms. Deepmala Pandey, school principal, from the one teacher, one call initiative said they created a network of teachers using digital platforms on social media to connect teachers, parents and students. She said when PM talked about it in MKB, the movement got massive support from not just India but various other countries. She said this movement should move towards one citizen one call.

The Governor of Telangana, Ms. Tamilisai Soundararajan joining through VC said that PM never said MKB is an expression of his mind but it is the expression of expectations of the people and people are giving suggestions throughout the month which encourages the PM to talk more to the people of the country. She said PM reaches out to people through the bottom of his heart and his words become a people’s movement. As an example, she said PM’s message on stopping food wastage got lakhs to messages from masses on how they are utilising food optimally and ensuring food wastage is reduced. Another example is selfie with daughters which gave self confidence to the daughters.  Talking about success of Swachh Bharat Mission, Ms. Tamilisai Soundararajan said when PM appealed for Cleanliness movement, 75 lakh students participated in the movement, 40 thousand organisations participated, 2.5 crore children participated in the drawing competition on Swachh Bharat. Giving statistics, she also asserted that promotion of Khadi, Vande Bharat, Sukanya Samridhi scheme, Organ Transplantation, Har Ghar Tiranga, are similar examples of successful mass campaigns and whatever subject is taken up by the Hon’ble PM, it becomes a people’s movement as PM expresses the voice of the people. She also narrated a small poem on MKB in Tamil.

Ms. Karishma Mehta, writer and photographer said the Prime Minister of the country has gone through a struggle and this motivates others. She said story telling is very powerful, when she talks about taboo topics such as single parent, people often say this is their story. She says MKB is also about story telling and it resonates with the masses.

Mr. Aamir Khan said that a real story has a deeper impact and MKB is about people’s lives and it has a deep impact on the masses. He said “when I hear a story from the writer, if that story touches my heart and engages me and attracts me like a magnet, I feel I should be a part of it.” Similarly, MKB has stories that attract people and listeners get inspired hearing others stories which is important for everyone. Mr. Khan said MKB has so many advantages on many layers. He further said that I experienced something similar during the ‘Satyamev Jayate’ Show.

In conclusion, the moderator asked all the panellists to give a message to the listeners of MKB. Dr. Shashank R. Joshi gave the message of a ‘Swasth Bharat’ or Healthy India and asked all to incorporate the discipline in their lifestyle just like Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. Prof. Najma Akhtar said that MKB is a package of education and entertainment and it lit up the life of all those it touched. She further added that Jamia students are playing the 100 episodes again to reach all those students who have not heard it till now. Ms. Deepmala Pandey said we need to progress further together through cooperation and should be sensitive towards others needs. Ms. Karishma Mehta said that if you have an opportunity to help someone then you should do it as no help is too small and no kindness is too less. Mr. Aamir Khan gave love to all the listeners of MKB and said we are all part of a beautiful country on a unique journey and we are all connected. 

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AS