Prime Minister focuses on Khadi, Special kids in first Radio address to the nation

October 5, 2014

PM Modi reached out to the common masses through a special speech titled ‘Man Ki Baat’ that was primarily aired on AIR (All India Radio), even though some television channels also aired it. Amongst other issues, he spoke about the radio and the simplicity of it as a mode of disseminating information. He emphasized how the radio reached even the most remote areas of the country, and thus, had extensive reach.

Key Points

The PM encouraged the people to take a cleanliness pledge, like he had done on October 2 while launching the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
He asked the people to support the khadi industry by buying at least one garment made of khadi.
He emphasized on the need of Indians to trust each other and believe in their capabilities, so that the people of the country may grow together as one
He said India’s strength lay in its cottages and villages and it farmers.
Speaking of specially abled children, he said they were the responsibility of the society as whole and not only their families. It was imperative that they too be made a part of the journey of development
He highlighted the Mars Orbiter Mission, and spoke of it as an example of the strength and capabilities of Indians
He supplemented his speech with many anecdotes, especially from Swami Vivekananda

Regular Interaction

PM Modi sought to make this a regular interaction and not a one-off even. He promised to speak to the people at least once a month, on Sundays at 11 a.m.

Reach of Radio

All India Radio runs 422 radio stations and relay centres around India and is listened by 40 to 50 mn people on the medium wave frequency according to Prasar Bharati. Besides this, there are also 850 million active mobile users, most of whom have the preloaded radio service on their phones.
According to the 2011 census, 67 mn households in India have a radio or a transistor. This translates to roughly 300 mn people.

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