Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Mann Ki Baat (a radio program addressing the community), which turned 100 on Sunday, saw very wide public engagement with more than 11 lakh people posting photos while listening to Mann Ki Baat in India and globally.
Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP) Australia Chapter organised “Mann Ki Baat” at 150 locations across Australia which were attended by more than 1000 members of the Indian diaspora.
One of the organisers of the Australia events Yogesh Bhatt told The Australia Today, “In the era of PM Modi, the Indian women are empowered, and the ordinary is celebrated.”
“By interacting with all sections of the society in India and abroad through his radio program, PM Modi has proved that a good leader alone can make a significant change and lead the nation towards growth,”
Mr Bhatt said.
The programme, which started on October 3, 2014, has become a key pillar of the Indian government’s citizen-outreach programme addressing multiple social groups such as women, youth, and farmers and has spurred community action.
According to a study, over 100 crore people have connected to ‘Mann Ki Baat’ at least once, it speaks directly to people, celebrates grassroots-level change makers and achievements of people and has influenced people towards positive actions.
Apart from 22 Indian languages and 29 dialects, Mann Ki Baat is broadcast in 11 foreign languages including French, Chinese, Indonesian, Tibetan, Burmese, Baluchi, Arabic, Pashtu, Persian, Dari and Swahili.
In Australia program was organised on the occasion of the 100th episode of the radio program ‘Mann Ki Baat’. The OFBJP organisation got 150+ locations registered for the event.
Around 150 Suburbs including 20 major town centres from all 6 states and 2 territories.
Enthusiastic Indian diaspora members listened to the 100th episode at 53 locations in NSW, 56 locations in Victoria, 19 locations in Western Australia, 9 locations in South Australia, 8 locations in Queensland, 3 locations in Tasmania and 1 location in ACT.
The two biggest cities Melbourne and Sydney were clear winners as they hosted 40 and 32 locations respectively.
One of the officials from OFBJP told The Australia Today, “Each location has a range of people from a minimum of 1 up to 50 attending the programme.”
“Our diaspora was very excited about the special screening of the 100th episode of “Mann ki Baat” and many people approached the organisation for conducting the program at their locations.”
Sydney Opera House, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Marvel Stadiums in Melbourne and the Sacred Gallery in Perth were some landmark locations where the programme was hosted.
Famous Punjabi singer Shri Lakhbir Singh Lakha attended the program from the Sydney Opera House. Other OFBJP office bearers were present at various locations across Australia to host the “Mann Ki Baat”.
India’s ruling political party Bhartiya Janta Party’s Member of Parliament from Vadodara Mrs Ranjanben Bhatt who was in Melbourne on a personal visit also joined the program.
“Trying to talk to the beneficiaries so that others who had not benefitted so far could also pick up cues. Collecting inputs to improve his reforms. this is one of the most miraculous things happening through Man ki Baat,” said Mr Bhatt.
Many office bearers of OFBJP, Australia managed the arrangements for the program in their respective states including- Sachin Dahiya, Ritesh Mehta, Ankur Patel, Ganesh Vallakatti, Ashutosh Agarwal, Guruduty Bhat, Piyush Satapara, Rajendra Pandey and Sthitapragyan Maharana.