Ajit Karn
On Sunday in New Zealand, over 100 women of the Indian diaspora commemorated the centennial episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ program.
Among these women was Rami Ben, a centenarian who did not let her age dampen her enthusiasm.
Rami Ben gave her blessings to Prime Minister Modi, saying, “May you be happy in mind, body, and prosperity. Best wishes for your health, wealth, and intellect.”
Winston Peters, the former Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand, was also present.
Peters stated, “It is a pleasure to attend this event. It is an opportunity to directly address Prime Minister Modi, whom I have had the pleasure of meeting multiple times. Not that he may have forgotten. This ‘Mann Ki Baat’ event is a heartfelt conversation. I am pleased of this event’s 100th episode.”
The 100th episode of PM Modi’s Mann Ki Baat was heard worldwide, including in India. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended an event and listened to the live broadcast of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ in the United States.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated that Mann Ki Baat has a tremendous impact due to the emotive bond between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian people.
The EAM told the Indian diaspora congregated in New Jersey to watch the live broadcast of the 100th episode of Mann Ki Baat, “It is a significant and emotional day for many of us.”
In addition to the United States, programs were organized at the India House in London, United Kingdom.
High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami, who also participated, remarked that it was a great chance for everyone to bond over a community-based program conducted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“It was a joy to host members of our community at the 100th episode of Mann Ki Baat this Sunday morning at our High Commission in London. Organizing a community-focused event as a community event is a truly unique concept. As you can see, there is a great deal of enthusiasm among the diverse 1,8 million-person community in London and the United Kingdom to participate,” Doraiswami told media.
#WATCH | New Zealand | 100-year-old Ramben blesses PM Modi, as she along with other members of the Indian diaspora, listens to the 100th episode of #MannKiBaat, in Auckland. pic.twitter.com/zR0JEmvCoH
— ANI (@ANI) April 30, 2023
The programme, which began on 3 October 2014, has become a key pillar of the government’s citizen-outreach programme, targeting multiple social groups including women, youth, and farmers, and fostering community action.
Mann Ki Baat is broadcast in 11 foreign languages, including French, Chinese, Indonesian, Tibetan, Burmese, Baluchi, Arabic, Pashtu, Persian, Dari, and Swahili, in addition to 22 Indian languages and 29 dialects. More than 500 All India Radio broadcast centers broadcast Mann Ki Baat.
