BackNarendra Modi’s Mann Ki Baat completes one year
Anniversary remained a low-key affair as the NDA is busy preparing for upcoming elections in Bihar
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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s radio programme Mann Ki Baat completed one year on Saturday, but neither the government nor the Bharatiya Janata Party organized any official programme to mark its anniversary, and it remained a low-key affair as the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is busy with the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar.
Political experts, who have been following the radio programme, feel that while Mann Ki Baat is directed towards the rural audience, who don’t have access to television or any other form of information network, the programme is not dependent on bureaucracy nor on other government machinery to convey the intent of the ruling alliance.
Although the BJP has not planned any celebration, senior leaders and political experts agree that Modi has revolutionised political dialogue with the people by making it a two-way process rather than an annual address to the nation, which was impersonal.
Senior leaders of the party argue that the prime minister has used the art of political communication to start a dialogue with the people, which is not only two-way but also suggestions given by the people are being included by the government in its departments.
“Mann Ki Baat is not like an address to the nation, which is both impersonal and not participatory. It is two-way dialogue process initiated by the prime minister, who invites people to give their suggestions so that he is able to connect with the people directly," said Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, vice-president of the BJP and director general of Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini, Mumbai-based think-tank backed by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). “These suggestions can be given through MyGov.in website, or any other social media forum. Letters are also sent by people who want to give their suggestions," Sahasrabuddhe added.
The impact of the monthly radio programme, and Modi’s other initiatives on social media, is such that MyGov.in has 1.3 million members in the nearly 16 months of the government. The website has received more than 6.64 lakh comments on 332 different issues, including abuse of drugs in the country, girl child protection, women’s security, tourism and rural distress due to poor monsoon.
The Twitter account of the prime minister’s office (@PMOIndia) has 8 million followers whereas @narendramodi has over 15.3 million followers, who engage with the prime minister through both these forums. “If people have to be explained something about the government or about some of the programmes of the government, then dialogue is the only process. The prime minister merely mentioned that people should give up their subsidy on gas cylinders, and over 30 lakh people have done so, which is remarkable. The prime minister, who is the head of the government, is trying to use innovative means so that his message reaches maximum number of people. In the process of reaching out to the people, he has used social media and also radio programmes," said Sahasrabuddhe.
Political analysts feel Modi does not need the government machinery to start a dialogue with the people, or even media.
“Most of the times, the programmes started by the government reach the people, but the intent of starting those programmes never reaches the people. The dialogue process started by the prime minister is a means to convey the intent of the government. And Modi is neither dependent on bureaucracy nor the media to convey his message to the people. With the use of social media, he is able to reach most of the people who have access to Internet and with the use of radio, he is able to reach out to people in the rural areas. This means of communication is innovative and has never been witnessed before," said Jai Mrug, a Mumbai-based political analyst.
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