100 Episodes, 100 Crore Listeners

In closing, there are several rather comprehensive studies that have been undertaken regarding the effects of Mann Ki Baat. Exploring the paradigm shift caused by Mann Ki Baat, its achievements, and the program is best described in the words of Prime Minister Narendra Modi: “Our education should be such that it takes us from aham (I) to vayam (we)... our education should be such that it can help us connect the swa (self) with samashti (the world).”

Some of the key takeaways highlighted in Igniting Collective Goodness were:

• Mann Ki Baat has 23 crore regular listeners; 96% of the Indian population knows of the program!
• Mann Ki Baat has influenced people’s behaviour; 60% have become interested in nation-building; 73% have started feeling optimistic that the country will progress.
• 58% of Mann Ki Baat listeners say their living conditions have improved since the airing of the program, while 59% have reported increased trust in the government.
• Most listeners of Mann Ki Baat (65%) prefer listening to it in Hindi, while English comes in second place (18%).
• Mann Ki Baat is broadcast in 22 Indian languages and 29 dialects, and 11 foreign languages excluding English, namely French, Chinese, Indonesian, Tibetan, Burmese, Baluchi, Arabic, Pashto, Persian, Dari, and Swahili.
• Mann Ki Baat is broadcast by more than 500 broadcast centres of All India Radio (AIR).

The research by the Institute for Competitiveness took a look at Mann Ki Baat’s focus on 5 key topics:

1. Cleanliness
2. Health
3. Wellness
4. Water Conservation
5. Sustainable Development

It concluded: “Just as Mann Ki Baat speaks directly to ordinary people, it celebrates their achievements within and beyond their communities. The program does not focus much on party politics or political news. Instead, it celebrates what Prime Minister Modi calls ‘grassroots level change makers.’ The crucial findings of the report on Mann Ki Baat are that it is inclusive, accessible, conversational, and aimed at bringing social and economic change.”

The esteemed Indian Institute for Mass Communication’s study had the following findings:

• Knowing about the country and the Prime Minister’s vision for the country are the two prominent reasons that motivate the audience to listen to the program.
• 76 percent felt that Mann Ki Baat had initiated a trend where the awareness and appreciation for things in other parts of India have grown.
• 75 percent felt that Mann Ki Baat has emerged as a platform where people were introduced to trendsetters working selflessly to bring about meaningful change.
• 76 percent opined that they felt they were participating in the democratic process by listening to the PM on different issues in Mann Ki Baat.

It is profoundly obvious that Mann Ki Baat is a great success in bringing people closer together and enhancing the understanding of each other and the value they bring. It is the unique personality and high ethical standards that the Prime Minister brings to the fore every week, encouraging, helping, and celebrating all that is India today.

It has been hugely rewarding to review all the 19 chapters of this delightful book, Igniting Collective Goodness: Mann Ki Baat @100. Prime Minister Modi’s phenomenal Sunday radio address on All India Radio is primer to understand modern India as it moves towards its goal of #ViksitBharat2047 – a fully developed modern Bharat representing the ideal of One Earth, One Family, One Future.