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Nine-Year Anniversary of Maan Ki Baat: Getting Closer to People

India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru may have started writing to chief ministers of Indian states, but Narendra Modi' initiative appears to be far more impactful.
Sputnik
Persuasive, result-oriented, inclusive, and impressive are some of the terms used by a professor of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), who claims to be a apolitical person, to describe "Mann Ki Baat" - Prime Minister Narendra Modi's unique talk initiative to reach out to his countrymen, including those living in far off areas of India.
The radio programme, which is aired on the last Sunday of every month, is not limited to All India Radio (AIR) and is broadcast even from television channels, especially those owned by the Indian government.
Modi is seeking suggestions from the general public on the content of the talk that he proposes to have next month and people are participating in large numbers, suggesting or requesting the topics of the talk.
The PM then includes every possible subject that may be suggested by the listeners.

"It's a fantastic idea (of talking to people) as All India Radio and Doordarshan are still very popular with people living in villages," JNU professor Shrikant Kondapalli told Sputnik India.

"Jawaharlal Nehru, as PM, used to write letters to the Chief Ministers of various states as and when he would have something to share with them in terms of policy but what Narendra Modi has done is remarkable as he reaches all people of the country", the JNU professor said, adding it's "very persuasive and impressive".

Citing the example of 125-year-old yoga guru Swami Sivananda, who was awarded with the prestigious "Padma Shri" award, the professor said it's a big change that India has witnessed, as the country's biggest awards are being given to commoners who are generally mentioned in Modi's "Maan Ki Baat".

"In my Paladugu village, which is situated in Khammam district of Indian state of Telangana, people still gather at 'Panchayat Ghar' (village community centre) to listen to radio, and people listen to such good informative programmes", he said.

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