Indian diaspora across US celebrates 100th episode of PM Modi’s “Mann Ki Baat”
Washington: Indian Americans on Sunday celebrated 100 episodes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship radio programme, “Mann Ki Baat”. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar decided to tune in to the programme live with the diaspora in New Jersey at 1.30 am (local time) on Sunday, hailing it as a platform that has “an emotional connect” between PM Modi and the people of India.
“10 years ago if he had mentioned that at 2.10 at night everyone would be assembling at some place and the foreign minister of India would be with you, listening to the Prime Minister of India, none of you would have believed me,” Jaishankar told members of the diaspora.
“You have to understand that PM Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ has an enormous impact not because the medium is 100 years old, somewhere there is an emotional connect between PM Modi and the people of India,” Jaishankar noted.
Also participating in the event and jointly listening to Prime Minister Modi were India’s Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, and the Consul General of India in New York, Randhir Jaiswal.
The event was attended by not just the top Indian diplomats, but also Indian-American lawmakers Senator Kevin Thomas, Assembly woman Jenifer Rajkumar and Edison (city) Mayor Sam Joshi.
Jaishankar who is here after concluding his official visit to Guyana, Panama, Colombia and the Dominican Republic, made the remarks while addressing the community event, attended by the members of the Indian community in the early hours of Sunday.
PM Modi’s address was also broadcast live at the Indian Embassy in Washington and all five consulates across the United States tuned in to listen including the Silicon Valley.
Indian Consul General in San Francisco TV Nagendra Prasad on Sunday tweeted: “In #Siliconvalley, hundreds gathered to listen to Hon’ble @narendramodi #MannKiBaatAt10 late night @FalconXUS hall. Thanks to @DiyaTV @tvasianetwork @yoindiatv @IndiaPost_News and others for joining to cover the event. @CGISFO @AkashvaniAIR @MIB_India @MEAIndia”
The 30-minute programme was also broadcast at the United Nations headquarters in New York, again in the wee hours. Indian Permanent Mission to UN on Sunday tweeted: “A singular connect! Special moments from the Trusteeship Council at UN Headquarters, New York, where #MannKiAtBaat100 went LIVE, leaving all inspired and motivated.”