PM Modi's Mann Ki Baat creates waves in Africa, Australia; receives 541 emails from the US

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s monthly radio address Mann Ki Baat — a platform where he directly communicates with the masses — is not just heard in India, but has also got a listener base in other countries.

Official data reveals the show receives more feedback from audiences in Australia, Bangladesh and east African countries as compared to other countries where it is relayed.

The data reveals that Mann Ki Baat has received 753 email responses from Australia and 608 from Bangladesh since July last year. The show has also elicited 541 emails from the United States and 507 emails from Canada during this period.

Similarly, the show has received 2,794 messages on messaging application WhatsApp from the east African countries clubbed together and 1,296 responses from Gulf countries including Libya, even as the latter has sent fewer emails, numbering 36.

Listeners in Bangladesh have sent 811 messages over the show on WhatsApp, while 784 WhatsApp messages have been received from the United States audience during this timeline. Bangladesh has also sent the highest number of responses, numbering 276, on other social media platforms such as Facebook messages.

There are no records of emails received from Pakistan and Afghanistan in this period, while the audience of the countries have sent 18 and 16 messages on WhatsApp as responses to the monthly programme.

Sources from Prasar Bharati — the parent body of public service broadcasters All India Radio and Doordarshan — said that most responses to the show come from the widespread Indian diaspora in these countries. “Majority of responses come from Indians settled abroad where they speak of the PM’s efforts in getting India noticed,” an official said.

Some of the responses also request and suggest stronger measures to ensure India’s cultural values are taken note by countries visited by Modi and easing of visa application processes for facilitating their easy travel in and out of the country. There are also letters from businessmen of Indian origin talking about easing doing business with India.

Letters and messages from the audience of Pakistan’s Sindh area speak about part of their families settled in India and sought measures to ease out their travel processes when they visit the country and vice versa. Sources said there have also been letters from Pakistan’s Balochistan province thanking the PM for bringing the issue of the disputed territory to the forefront.

There are an estimated 27.10 lakh Indians in Africa which includes Non Resident Indians (NRI) and Person of Indian Origin (PIO). A majority of NRIs and PIOs are from the state of Gujarat who had settled in eastern Africa for businesses.

While Indian communities in Africa constitute 12.37 per cent of the total strength of India Diaspora, there are an estimated 1.1 crore Indians settled in the Gulf countries. Indians comprise nearly 1 per cent of the Australia’s population.