Education, grassroots innovators are most influential topics on Mann Ki Baat: IIMC study

IIMC surveyed 890 journalists, media researchers, faculty and students and found that two-thirds of them watched the PM’s monthly programme on YouTube

A beneficiary shows a transistor radio set received from Goa BJP president Sadanand Shet Tanavade during a distribution programme to 100 beneficiaries on the completion of 100th episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at Kalyaa in Savordem, Goa on April 29, 2023. | Photo Credit: ANI

An Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) survey of 890 people associated with the media - journalists, researchers, faculty and students - has found that 76% of respondents believe that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popular radio programme Mann Ki Baat has played a significant role in introducing the “real Bharat” to Indian listeners.

Asked which issue discussed by the Prime Minister in Mann Ki Baat influenced people the most, 40% of respondents mentioned ‘education’, while 26% said ‘information about grass roots innovators’ was the most influential topic, according to the IIMC study. The programme has initiated a trend where people are now more aware of things in other parts of the country and have started appreciating them, according to a government statement on the study.

According to IIMC Director General Sanjay Dwivedi, the survey was conducted by the Outreach Department of the institute between April 12 and 25, 2023. A total of 890 persons associated with the media from 116 media houses, academic institutions and universities across the country participated. Of these, 326 were women and 564 were men, while 66% of the respondents were between the age group of 18 and 25 years.

‘Participating in democracy’

Respondents said that “knowledge about the country” and the “PM’s vision about the country” were the two important reasons which motivated them to listen to the programme. “When the respondents were asked how they listen to the programme if they miss any episode, 63% said they prefer YouTube over the other mediums. 76% of the respondents feel that they are a participant in the democratic process by listening to PM Modi on various issues in Mann Ki Baat,” said an official statement.

Interestingly, the survey found that the internet was the favoured platform to listen to Mann Ki Baat — at least among mediapersons — though it was initially envisaged as a radio programme.

“32% respondents said they share their thoughts on the issues discussed in the programme with their family members, while 29% people said they discuss the topics with their friends and colleagues. Another interesting fact that emerged in the study was that 12% people use radio, 15% television and 37% use Internet based platforms to listen to Mann Ki Baat,” said the statement.