India belongs to its people, we are 125 crore strong: Modi on AIR

In a significant move to reach out to the rural sections of the country where there is little to no television penetration, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday addressed the nation for about fifteen minutes through its public broadcaster the All India Radio. [caption id=“attachment_1741271” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address the nation through AIR every alternate Sunday.[/caption] Launching his ‘man ki baat’ programme, Prime Minister Modi used the occasion to push his Swacch Bharat campaign forward, ‘remind’ people that the nation belonged to them, and also directly speak to a section of the population who do not usually have access to politicians. Speaking about the ‘Swacch Bharat’ campaign that his government launched on Thursday, Modi said it was for each and every citizen to take the pledge to make India a cleaner place. “You all must join in this campaign,” he said. He also urged the people to follow Mahatma Gandhi, and buy khadi products saying, “when you buy a khadi product you light the lamp of prosperity in the house of a poor person.” This will be seen by political observers as another effort by Modi, to free Gandhi from the exclusive domain of the Congress party, and appropriate him as a symbol of the nation. As mentione d by Firstpost columnist Saroj Nagi, “PM Modi has also successfully brought the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi within the ambit of the BJP… he has freed the Mahatma and Shastri from the confines of a single party and restored them to their place as national icons. After all, when was the last time one heard slogans of Mahatma Gandhi amar rahein or Jai Jawan Jai Kisan by anyone even on October 2, or even try to apply their philosophy to contemporary India? The Prime Minister, referring to Swami Vivekananda’s quotes, also urged the youth to identify their strengths and work on them to better the nation and contribute to its growth. “We’re not lacking in strength but we’ve forgotten how strong we are. 125 crore Indians are blessed with immense skill and strength. We have to understand ourselves better. It’s important that we understand our strengths to understand ourselves better”, he said.

I want you to keep sharing these things with me. Together let us serve India and take our Nation to newer heights: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 3, 2014

Apart from asking the people of India to stand together in the development of the nation, the Prime Minister also mentioned letters that he had been receiving from the people. Again a smart move, intended at showing the people that he listens to their concerns, and is connected to them. “On mail lot of people wrote to me that children should begin skill development courses at a very young age. It’s a good suggestion. Many others have said there should be a ban on polythene bags, compulsory use of dustbins”, he said. He also named people who had mentioned specific concerns: " Gautam Pal wrote to me about specially abled children. I really liked what he wrote. I remember we began Khel Mahakumbh for specially abled athletes and I myself would go & see the sports”. “I want you to keep sharing these things with me. Together let us serve India and take our Nation to newer heights” Modi, who is active on social media, also encouraged people to post their questions on the government portal mygov.in, assuring them that their concerns would be addressed through the fortnightly programme. The address will be translated into regional languages and will be aired once again in the evening. The programme is expected to air every alternate Sunday at 11 am.