In the heart of New Delhi, the monthly radio spectacle known as ‘Mann Ki Baat,’ orchestrated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will gracefully abstain from the airwaves for the upcoming three months, a strategic pause in light of the impending Lok Sabha elections, as announced by the PM during his 110th edition of the program on a tranquil Sunday.
The 110th installment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s monthly radio rendezvous, ‘Mann Ki Baat,’ gracefully unfolded its sonic wings on a Sunday, precisely at 11 am, marking the second installment of the year. This ritual takes center stage on the final Sunday of each calendar month.
Initiated on the auspicious date of October 3, 2014, ‘Mann Ki Baat’ endeavors to establish a profound connection with diverse facets of Indian society, spanning across the dimensions of women, seniors, and the vibrant youth. Through this auditory avenue, PM Modi disseminates insights into governmental initiatives, policies, and benevolent schemes.
Beyond the realms of 22 Indian languages and 29 dialects, the ethereal vibrations of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ resonate in 11 foreign tongues, including French, Chinese, Indonesian, Tibetan, Burmese, Baluchi, Arabic, Pashtu, Persian, Dari, and Swahili. The broadcast, orchestrated by over 500 transmission hubs of All India Radio, unveils its global outreach.
A meticulous inquiry delving into the impact of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on the populace revealed that over 100 crore individuals have, at least once, engaged with this auditory odyssey. It directly addresses the people, applauds grassroots-level catalysts for change, and has steered the masses towards positive deeds.
Significantly, in his 110th discourse during ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on the serene Sunday, the Prime Minister articulated that the ascendancy of women’s prowess in the nation traverses diverse domains. As the impending celebration of Women’s Day on March 8 approaches, the PM seized the moment to pay homage to the contributions of women in the developmental saga of the country.
Quoting the illustrious poet Bharathiyar Ji, the PM emphasized the notion that global prosperity hinges upon affording women equal opportunities. He remarked, “Nari Shakti (women power) is scaling unprecedented peaks of advancement across all spheres.”
Furthermore, the PM shed light on the transformative impact of the ‘NaMo Drone Didi’ initiative, unfurled by him the previous year, illuminating the lives of women residing in rural landscapes.
“Who could have envisioned, just a few short years ago, that women in our hinterlands would navigate the skies with drones? Yet, today, this seemingly improbable reality has materialized. The buzz about Drone Didi resonates in every village, with Namo Drone Didi becoming a refrain on every lip, a topic of animated conversation,” he remarked.
Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year, the Namo Drone Didi initiative has garnered support from numerous fertilizer companies, besides IFFCO, in empowering women affiliated with self-help group schemes like ‘Lakhpati didi.’
A pivotal endeavor aimed at empowering women in the agricultural domain involves the deployment of 15,000 drones and transforming women into ‘drone didis’ within the framework of Pradhan Mantri Mahila Kisan Drone Kendras initiative. Through the ‘Drone Ki Udaan’ program, these self-help groups undergo comprehensive training in drone operation and maintenance.