'Mann Ki Baat@100' event to include Aamir Khan, Raveena Tandon & others

New Delhi: A nationwide gathering called "Mann Ki Baat @100" will be held by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to commemorate the 100 episodes of the programme. Approximately 100 illustrious citizens from all over the nation who have been mentioned by the Prime Minister in previous episodes will attend.

"Since its inception on October 3, 2014, 'Mann ki Baat' has become a national tradition, with the Prime Minister addressing the nation every month, inspiring millions to participate in India's developmental journey. Since then, it has struck a chord with citizens of India who have reached out to their Pradhan Sevak every month, sharing their achievements, anxieties, happiness and proud moments as well as suggestions for a New India," BJP said in a statement, ANI reported.

Prasar Bharati will organise the conclave that will be held in Vigyan Bhawan in the national capital. The inaugural session of the Conclave will be graced by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar in the presence of Union Minister Anurag Thakur.

The occasion will also include the attendance of about 100 eminent persons from throughout the nation whose names the prime minister has mentioned in earlier "Mann Ki Baat" programmes.

According to the statement, these are individuals whose outstanding contributions to nation-building have been recognised by the PM in his monthly broadcast. Participants work in a variety of fields, such as promoting traditional art, culture, and crafts, protecting the environment, supporting underprivileged citizens, coming up with creative solutions to societal problems, and those who tirelessly supported the country during the Covid era.

These notable guests will bring a variety of special products that will showcase items made from banana stem fibre by a self-help group in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, and the Etikoppaka Wooden Toy Craft from Andhra Pradesh, as well as ancient Kaavi paintings from the state of Goa.

During the first session, the vice president will also release two books. 'Mann Ki Baat@100' coffee table book highlighting the development of the programme and how it has led to the start of a new era of direct connection between the Prime Minister and the public. The second book, "Collective Spirit, Concrete Action," by Shri S. S. Vempati, a former CEO of Prasar Bharati, highlights social, economic, environmental, cultural, health, and fitness issues that speak to the very soul of our country and documents the fascinating facets of PM Modi's ongoing conversations with the world's largest democracy, according to the statement.

Four sessions that focus on the diverse topics of the Prime Minister's conversations during Mann Ki Baat will be held after the opening session.

A distinguished panel will lead each session. The talks will show how Mann Ki Baat has had a profound influence on several industries in India, effectively bringing the people in contact with the Prime Minister and enabling them to act as change agents.

'Nari Shakti' will be the topic of the opening session.

"The women of this country have always excelled in different fields and have led the masses and paved the way for other women to follow. The Government considers women-led development a central dimension of India's progress and a necessity for strengthening India. In the past nine years, numerous welfare schemes have been launched paving the way to empowering women and making them lead India's development journey," the statement read.

It added, "Focused on these lines, the discussion will be moderated by renowned anchor and host, Richa Anirudh and enriched by panellists, Kiran Bedi, IPS (retired) and former Lt. Governor, Puducherry, Deepa Malik, athlete, Dhimant Parekh, Founder and CEO, The Better India, RJ Nitin, Raveena Tandon, actress, Nikhat Zareen, boxer and Poorna Malavath, mountaineer. World's youngest girl to climb Mount Everest in 2014, Poorna Malavath completed the seven summit mountaineering challenge in 2022. The Prime Minister praised the Telangana-based mountaineer during his Mann Ki Baat in June 2022".

The theme of the second session will be 'Virasat Ka Uthan'.

"Taking pride in our heritage and legacy has remained a key vision of the Prime Minister during the Amrit Kaal. Thanks to the efforts of the PM, a new awareness has dawned in our country about our art and culture, and a new consciousness is awakening. The panellists discussing India's golden past and 'New India' will include, Ricky Kej, music composer and environmentalist, Jagat Kinkhabwala, environmental conservationist, Siddharth Kannan, TV and Radio Host, Rochamliana, environmental conservationist, Palki Sharma, journalist and Neelesh Misra, storyteller as moderator," it stated.

The statement added, "Jagat Kinkhabwala and Rochamliana have been praised by Prime Minister for their efforts in environmental conservation. Prime Minister talked about the book and efforts on the 'Save the Sparrows' campaign started by Jagat Kinkhabwala in May 2017. He also spoke about the Save Chitte Lui action plan, an initiative by Rochamliana to restore the Chite River of Mizoram in June 2022".

The third session will be on the theme of 'Jan Samvad Se Atmanirbharta' which will be moderated by Shradha Sharma, a celebrated Indian entrepreneur.

The government stated, "The idea of Atmanirbhar Bharat has ignited a new spark of self-confidence in every Indian. Prime Minister has outlined five pillars for an Aatmanirbhar Bharat - economy, infrastructure, system, vibrant demography, and demand. All the pillars work together in making our economy strong and resilient." Entrepreneur Sanjeev Bhikchandani, Padma Shri Awardee T. V. Mohandas Pai, R. J. Raunac, entrepreneur and policymaker Ravi Kumar Narra, and Mohd. Abbas Bhat, president of the Dal Lake lotus stem producer company, will all speak about the significance of "Atmanirbharta." The Dal Lake lotus stem producer's efforts to employ several farmers by exporting food items manufactured from lotus stem were praised by the prime minister in March 2023.

'Ahwan Se Jan Andolan' will be the topic of the final session before the valedictory session.

The statement added, "'Mann ki Baat' has been a platform from which several important campaigns have originated. Right from the very first 'Mann ki Baat', when the Prime Minister had given the clarion call of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the addresses have time and again inspired the people to take action on important issues. To discuss several such campaigns, the session will be moderated by RJ Sharad and will have speakers like Aamir Khan, actor, Dr Shashank R. Joshi, endocrinologist and diabetologist, Deepmala Pandey, school principal, Karishma Mehta, writer and photographer and Prof. Najma Akhtar, educationist and administrator. Deepmala Pandey's 'One teacher, one call' initiative for children with special needs was appreciated by Prime Minister in Mann Ki Baat in September 2021."

Amit Shah, Home and Cooperation Minister, will preside over the event's final session alongside Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Anurag Singh Thakur. Pankaj Chaudhary, the minister of state for finance, will also be present.

In the valedictory session, a commemorative postage stamp and coin on 100 episodes of "Mann Ki Baat" will be unveiled to mark this historic occasion.