Govt. officials, prominent citizens, Leaders of NGOs & Political parties, Awardees of various national awards, academicians, entrepreneurs, writers and special invitees.

Greetings to you all on this auspicious occasion. 

 As we are celebrating the 100^th episode of “Mann Ki Baat” (MKB), I would like to highlight that the first episode of MKB began only as a radio talk and was aired on October 3, 2014. Today, it is broadcast from various platforms in multiple languages. It is India's first virtually enriched radio programme that is simultaneously broadcast by TV channels: 34 channels of the Doordarshan network and over 100 private satellite TV channels broadcast this innovative programme across the length and breadth of the country.

Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi's inclusionary approach has found unprecedented acceptance across demographics and it's his people-centric model of development that has endeared him to the vast multitudes. 

MKB is unique in terms of its subject matter, design, interaction, and innovative way of communicating with the people and society as a whole. The MKB also discussed challenging problems that the world is facing today, such as the climate crisis, waste management and the energy crisis.

With such a colossal impact, MKB has been termed widely as a social revolution and finds a solid base in jan bhagidari. The programme has been conceived and implemented on the idea of citizen engagement and participation, right from the formulation of the name of the show to the choice of subjects and calls to action that the PM includes in this programme. 

Furthering the vision of building a Sashakt Bharat (strong India), MKB is focused on highlighting the national and global successes of the nation, urging people to participate in the nation's development while instilling a sense of pride, belonging and nationalism in the citizens.

MKB shows that there are two Modis - the strong, powerful, purposeful PM Modi; and the soft, kindly, gentle paterfamilias Modi. If you were to shut your eyes and listen to MKB, you would think that Modi-ji was sitting at a village chaupal or village circle, conversing with people listening to them, speaking to them, and offering sage advice where needed, or complimenting someone for an exemplary deed. 

Recently, he shared his conversation with the families of accident victims who had bravely decided to donate the organs of their loved ones. Modiji used that conversation to promote the noble idea of organ donation.

As the Governor of Mizoram, I wish to share two episodes of MKB, wherein Hon’ble PM refers to Mizoram.

In the 13^th Episode of MKB broadcast on 25.10.2015, PM talked about the positive initiative on Adarsh Gram development by Mizoram’s then MP, Shri CL Ruala, who chose Khawlailung village for Adarsh Gram and run a special initiative.  As the village is famous for sugarcane production and Kurtai jaggery, Shri CL Ruala started a Sugarcane Festival and gets all the people from the region come together and discussed how the village could be made the centre of economic activities and how it could market its produce.  Hon’ble PM congratulated Shri CL Ruala for his efforts to make this village not only an Adarsh gram but self dependent village too.

In the 90^th episode broadcasted on 26.6.2022, Hon’ble PM again highlighted the wonderful positive action of the people of Mizoram with regard to Chite River and set it as an example of "waste to wealth.”

The beautiful river 'Chitte Lui’ in Aizawl, had turned into a heap of dirt and garbage due to neglect for years. With the growing urge to save the Chite river, the Mizoram Legislative Assembly also passed "The Chite Lui (Prevention and Control of Water Pollution) Act, 2018". The organization, ‘Save Chite Lui’ working to save the river, decided to build a road using this polythene that came out of the river. In 2020, they built a fairly long stretch of road along the approach road to Reiek Tourist Resort in Reiek village, from the plastic wastes collected from Chite River, the State's first plastic road. This is indeed cleanliness and development as well.

On this occasion, I would like to commend the All India Radio, the largest radio network in the world, through which the PM reaches a vast spectrum of a socio-economically and culturally diverse populace, inspires and energises them not just on social, cultural, and economic issues, calls for Nari Shakti, Powerful India, Self reliant India, Yuva India, talks about ancient health practice of India - Yoga and helps rejuvenation of the practice worldwide through MKB. 

 I also would like to commend Prasar Bharati, India's public service broadcaster, for organizing this special screening to commemorate this momentous occasion and for undertaking the translation and broadcasting of MKB in 52 languages and dialects, including 11 foreign languages, catering to the remotest regions in the country while also taking it to the Indian Diaspora. 

Last, but not the least, I convey my appreciation to the Central Bureau of Communication for organizing a photo exhibition in commemoration of this grand occasion.

 In conclusion, I once again convey my sincere thanks to you all for making today’s special event a success by your valuable presence.

 Thank you. 

 Jai Hind!