Page 24 - Mann Ki Baat - English
P. 24

A Decade of Social Change, Public

              Awareness, and Citizen Engagement




                                          parents   to  celebrate   and
                                          showcase their daughters, to
                                          the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan,
                                          direct engagement with citizens,
                                          particularly  the  youth,  has
                                          made these movements not
                                          just government-led initiatives
                                          but people-driven efforts for
                                          societal scale change. Another
                                          poignant  example  is  the  call
                                          to surrender gas subsidies for
            Shashi Shekhar Vempati        wealthier households, which led
          Former CEO Prasar Bharati &     to millions of middle- and lower-
          Author of the book ‘Collective   middle-class families voluntarily
         Spirit Concrete Action – Mann ki
                                          giving up their subsidies to
         Baat and its Influence on India’
                                          support those in need. This act
                                          of  selflessness,  encouraged  by
                                          'Mann ki Baat', is a testament to
                                          how the broadcast has catalysed
                                          positive civic behaviour and
                                          fostered a collective spirit of
            Over the past ten years,      social responsibility.
        'Mann ki Baat' has emerged as         By bringing lesser-known
        a  unique  platform  for  driving   but vital issues into the national
        social change, fostering public   spotlight and by highlighting
        awareness,   and    enhancing     the   work    of    grassroots
        citizen  participation.  From     champions—whether        they
        empowering  grassroots  voices    are individuals building check
        to creating a shared sense of     dams in rural areas, organising
        national purpose, 'Mann ki Baat'   energy conservation rallies, or
        is the most consequential Prime   weaving khadi as part of local
        Ministerial intervention in the   entrepreneurial efforts, 'Mann
        history of independent India      ki Baat' has given visibility
        without a precedent.              to   unsung   heroes.   These
            From its inception, 'Mann ki   personal stories have not only
        Baat' has been instrumental in    inspired listeners but have also
        igniting  grassroots  movements   underlined   the   importance
        and promoting societal change.    of individual contributions to
        From  the  ‘Selfie  with  Daughter’   nation-building.
        campaign, which encouraged            Drawing on examples from

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