This coming Sunday, people will get to hear the 100th episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’. Over the past few weeks, there have been many takes, mostly from those associated with the government, on the role this direct communication with the people has played in Modi’s model of governance. Some have even credited the programme with having revived people’s interest in the medium, the credit for which should actually go to the emergence of FM radio. (Interestingly, the PM virtually inaugurated 91 FM transmitters of AIR on Friday!)
A hundred episodes should contain enough material for those who wish to understand the Prime Minister’s political, economic and social philosophy. His chosen language is Hindi, which in itself is a statement. The people he addresses are what he perceives as India’s citizens, each special in his or her individuality. He focuses on their achievements, which he considers just as special as any reported in newspaper headlines. With this, he hopes to encourage others to do the same in the belief that their work will not go unappreciated.
Then there are a whole lot of his government’s schemes crafted to make the common person’s life easier, which are popularised in the broadcast. This will have served to not just inform, but activate people’s aspirations that their needs also be met by such targeting. Hopefully, this has generated people’s interest in the actions of governments beyond just the election time freebies. It may even have given them a sense of participation and the feeling that they have a role to play, no matter how insignificant it may seem.
This carefully crafted address also bypasses the usual filters of media and ‘intellectual’ critique. Except for those whose job it is to cover the broadcast, very few of the well-off classes constitute the listeners. (They get to know the gist from the newspapers and the TV channels). It is also a fact that the number of listeners among the commoners has increased, because people are eager to know if their area or community will find mention. Even some acquaintance may be named and praised.
At another level, month after month, the ‘Mukhya Sewak’ reports to his ‘employers’. The message is clear – he is ultimately answerable to them. Carefully crafted as these broadcasts are, quite a lot of effort obviously goes into preparing them. This process, itself, helps shape policy, as it informs officials at every level about the government’s priorities. And, of course, the BJP’s cadres are, hopefully, learning the craft of politics from a master. So, for many, the 100th broadcast is definitely an occasion to celebrate. And twenty years from now, there will be a lot of material for PhD scholars to research for their dissertations.
