As every radio listener knows, it's just amazing how we can all see with our ears! This sentence encapsulates the essence of how radio addresses can permeate through the masses. Now that the third edition of “Mann ki baat” series on All India Radio is also over, I reflect on this magical medium of the radio. Since the yesteryears, there was no television and radio meant everything for the people. Be it the bhajans to start your day or news at 9 in the morning or even the weather forecast to decide travel schedules or results of national examinations.
In the past, there have been many leaders who have used radio as an intricate social medium to propagate their messages to the public. General D’Gauelle is extremely famous for his radio speech on 18 June 1940 in which he assured his people to know that France belonged to them and external force by Nazis can't make them bend. His words infused hope and faith in the war devastated survivors. Yet another example is Indira Gandhi who used this medium to inform her countrymen about her opinion on critical issues. Especially during the Bangladesh liberation war back in 1971, Ms. Gandhi would consider it a responsibility to announce on the radio that India would stand with Bangladesh till the time Pakistan conceded. This helped to maintain cordial relations between the citizens of two nations across the border. In the recent times, Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez conducted a TV show named “Alo Presidante!” to project his policies and also gauge public opinion about his rule.
Following closely on the heels of the leaders mentioned above, Mr Narendra Modi has revived the art of talking and walking through the radio. During D’Gauelle’s times, maybe radio was the only way to interact with his people, but in this tech-savvy age, Mann ki Baat has been an innovative initiative. Our PM’s radio cameo has been welcomed by most and rejected by some. I would like to elaborate on the sunny side of the scenario. Radio is one way where both the rich and the poor have access to. The illiterate and unlettered villagers as well as busy businessmen can listen to the radio sessions and understand them. Even after 60 years of independence, the outreach of the radio can't be undermined. Not only that, it increases awareness and spreads information faster than TV. The penetration ratio as well as acceptance ratio is higher. Moreover, your words when heard are more powerful as focus is more.Further,I think the oldest radio station has got its boom period again.
However, the not-so sunny side needs to be looked at as well. First of all, despite the praise for the “innovation”, I fear it will soon lose its steam. The far reaching tentacles of technology seem to spread faster. So, by the time our PM announces it on AIR, people are already aware of the news. But if Mr. Modi wishes to sustain the hype around Mann ki Baat, he must continue to add new ideas to it. For instance, there is possibility of interaction with the youth during the radio programme. Later on, there could be an extended version on television in which Hon'ble PM could connect to people of all classes by inviting them to the show. This is how the interface between our leaders and seekers can be bridged effectively.
I wait for the time when expression and conversation with policy makers will be easier and smoother than what it is now. Till then, we listen to Mann ki baat!
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