Engineer, social activist thrilled over mention in PM's maiden radio speech

In his maiden outing with radio, titled "Mann Ki Baat" Prime Minister Narendra Modi surprised one and all after he referred names of two citizens whose suggestion he found unique. The two men mentioned by PM in his maiden Akashvani address were taken by surprise and are thrilled at the same time.

The two men whom the PM mentioned are Ganesh Venkatidiri, an engineer from Mumbai, and Gautam Pal, a social activist based in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut district.

Both the men were elated to hear their respective names mentioned by the Prime Minister in his debut speech on Akashvani (All India Radio) on Friday morning.

"It hasn't really sunk in but when PM mentioned my name during his address on AIR, I was surprised and felt extremely happy," Venkatidiri said to news agency ANI. "I can now believe responses are being received, I will ask others too to communicate suggestions to the PM," said Ganesh Venkatidiri.

Pal told TOI, "This one was my second suggestion on the site. I posted it last week. It is such a big forum for social activists, and it gives us an opportunity to do our bit for the nation. I never thought that the Prime Minister himself would pay attention to my ideas and share my suggestion with the whole nation. I feel so charged hearing the speech, I cannot describe my feelings. This is the most memorable day of my life."

By naming people making suggestions on his website www.mygov.in, the PM has sent a clear message that he do reads people's suggestions and it will increase public participation.

Modi welcomed suggestions from people across the country and said that through mails, social media a lot of people write to him.

On the auspicious occasion of Vijaydashmi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday started his maiden radio speech on All India Radio (AIR).