• Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted people on the World Radio Day, describing the medium as a “timeless lifeline”.

• PM Modi also acknowledged the contributions of those in the radio industry, expressing his appreciation for their work. 

• Additionally, he encouraged citizens to share their thoughts and suggestions for his monthly radio programme, ‘Mann Ki Baat’, set to air on February 23.

World Radio Day

• Proclaimed in 2011 by the Member States of UNESCO and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 as an International Day, February 13 became World Radio Day.

• Radio is a powerful medium for celebrating humanity in all its diversity and constitutes a platform for democratic discourse. At the global level, radio remains the most widely consumed medium. 

• This unique ability to reach out the widest audience means radio can shape a society’s experience of diversity, stand as an arena for all voices to speak out, be represented and heard. 

• Radio stations should serve diverse communities, offering a wide variety of programmes, viewpoints and content, and reflect the diversity of audiences in their organisations and operations.

• Radio is a low-cost medium specifically suited to reaching remote communities and vulnerable people, offering a platform to intervene in the public debate, irrespective of people’s educational level. It also plays a crucial role in emergency communication and disaster relief.

• Radio is uniquely positioned to bring communities together and foster positive dialogue for change. By listening to its audiences and responding to their needs, radio services provide the diversity of views and voices needed to address the challenges we all face.

• Even with the dominance of television and smartphones, radio remains an indispensable tool in mass communication, serving as a trusted source of news, entertainment, and education. It also plays a critical role in emergencies.

Mann Ki Baat

• Launched on October 3, 2014, Mann Ki Baat is a popular programme on All India Radio, where the Prime Minister discusses social and national issues with the public.

• It is broadcast on the last Sunday of every month at 11a on entire AIR and DD network.

• The main objective of the programme is to reach the masses across the country through the radio. 

• The programme also provides every citizen the opportunity to connect, suggest and become part of participatory governance through the radio address.

• The programme features inspirational stories about unsung heroes, grassroots champions and changemakers across India.

• Mann Ki Baat is a visually enriched radio programme that is simultaneously broadcast by television channels. As many as 34 DD channels and approximately 91 private satellite TV channels broadcast this radio programme throughout the country.

• Mann Ki Baat is translated by AIR into 22 Indian languages, 29 dialects and 11 Foreign languages, apart from English.

• A dedicated YouTube channel has been created to access all the episodes in various languages. 

• According to a study conducted by Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Rohtak in April 2023, the Mann Ki Baat programme has reached around 100 crore people who are aware and have listened/watched the programme at least once.

• A powerful and decisive leadership that speaks to establish an emotional connect with the audience is cited as reason for the following of the programme. 

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)