How ‘Mann ki Baat’ introduced real Bharat to the countrymen

Seventy-six per cent of the Indian media persons believe that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popular radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat' has played a significant role in introducing the real Bharat to the countrymen, a special study conducted by the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) said.

The radio show has created a trend where people are now more aware of the things in other parts of the country and have started appreciating them. The study found that 75 per cent of the respondents feel that 'Mann Ki Baat' has emerged as a platform, which introduces grassroots innovators working selflessly to ensure a significant difference in the lives of people living in remote areas of India.

A total of 890 persons associated with the media-media persons, media faculty, media researchers and media students from 116 media houses, academic institutions and universities across the country participated in the study. Of these, 326 were women and 564 were men. 66 per cent of the respondents were between the age group of 18 and 25 years, a statement from the Prime Minister's Office said. It was conducted by the Outreach Department of the Institute between April 12 and 25, said IIMC Director General Prof. Sanjay Dwivedi.

The respondents said 'Knowledge about the Country' and 'PM's Vision about the Country' are the two important reasons which motivate them to listen to the programme. When the respondents were asked how they listen to the programme if they miss any episode, 63 per cent said they prefer YouTube over other mediums. 76 per cent of the respondents feel that they are participating in the democratic process by listening to PM Modi on various issues in 'Mann Ki Baat'.

The study also tried to understand which issue discussed by the Prime Minister in 'Mann Ki Baat' influenced the people's most, Dwivedi pointed out. In response, 40 per cent of respondents mentioned 'education', while 26 per cent said 'information about grassroots innovators' as the most influential topic.

The study also tried to understand with whom the people share information about the topics discussed in 'Mann Ki Baat'. 32 per cent respondents said they share their thoughts on the issues discussed in the programme with their family members, while 29 per cent people said they discuss the topics with their friends and colleagues. Another interesting fact that emerged in the study was that 12 per cent people use radio, 15 per cent television and 37 per cent use Internet-based platforms to listen to 'Mann Ki Baat', the statement said.

Another study recently said that over 100 crore people have connected to 'Mann Ki Baat' at least once. The programme has been translated into 22 Indian languages, 29 dialects, and 11 foreign languages by AIR. In addition to English, the programme is broadcast in 11 foreign languages such as French, Chinese, Indonesian, Tibetan, Burmese, Baluchi, Arabic, Pashtu, Persian, Dari, and Swahili.

The radio show, which was first aired on October 3, 2014, will complete 100 episodes on April 30.