Hundreds of Kiwi-Indians braved the stormy, inclement Auckland weather on Sunday afternoon to attend the screening of the landmark 100th episode of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popular broadcast “Mann Ki Baat”.
Arranged by the High Commission of India, Wellington, as part of a worldwide initiative to mass broadcast the episode across the world, the event was hosted by the Auckland Indian Association at the commodious Mahatma Gandhi Centre’s main hall.
The hundredth episode was screened simultaneously around the world at 11am IST, which was 5:30pm NZT. The programme began on the dot, splashed across a dual screen on the auditorium’s stage.
Prime Minister Modi greeted his audience in his usual ebullient manner and traced back the programme to the first episode on Vijayadashami day (October 3) in 2014, soon after he took up the reins of the prime ministership of the world’s largest democracy, and now, the most populous country.
He said “Mann Ki Baat” had become a festival of goodness and positivity and was his way of connecting with the people of India since he became PM in 2014. He said he had received thousands of letters and messages from the people and was “swept away by emotions” while reading them.
“The Mann Ki Baat show is the personification of our citizens; here we celebrate positivity, and people's participation,” he said in Hindi. He also spoke in English with some of the participants in the episode.
In the programme that is broadcast on the last Sunday of every month and has a global following, the Prime Minister reaches out to citizens across the length and breadth of the country and even overseas asking after their welfare and for suggestions to better the lives of fellow Indians. In the 100th episode he said the show was a way of celebrating people’s achievements and an occasion to learn from others experiences.
The programme has resulted in several mass movements generated from ideas at the very grassroots level. “Mann Ki Baat has been a catalyst in igniting mass movements, like 'Har Ghar Tiranga' or 'Catch the Rain' and ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’” the Prime Minister said.
Earlier, in a touching gesture, centenarian Aucklander Ramben blessed Prime Minister Modi ahead of the broadcast.
High Commissioner of India in New Zealand Neeta Bhushan addressed the audience thanking everyone for their presence and the Mahatma Gandhi Centre for hosting the event. Former Deputy Prime Minister and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters spoke briefly, congratulating Prime Minister Modi. Satnam Sandhu, Chair of the NID Foundation, who had travelled from India for the occasion, also spoke about this experience working with Prime Minister Modi and the difference his leadership was making to the lives of Indians.
The New Zealand Chapter of the Indian Minorities Foundation was launched on the occasion, by representatives of different faiths and minorities of Indian origin living in New Zealand.
Several studies have demonstrated that "Mann Ki Baat" has promoted inclusivity, with more than one billion people having connected to the show at least once. According to a survey by the Indian Institute of Management Rohtak, 96 per cent of the population is aware of the programme. The survey attributed the programme’s popularity to PM Modi’s powerful and decisive leadership and his emotional connection with the audience, which resonates with listeners.
During the 100th episode PM Modi emphasised that education and preservation of culture and its promotion have been an integral part of India's ancient traditions. He highlighted the country's efforts to achieve this through various initiatives, such as the National Education Policy and the option of studying in regional languages.
Prime Minister Modi’s continued efforts to connect with the people of India through the radio programme demonstrate his commitment to promoting positivity and goodwill in the country.