India’s future depends on wide popular acceptance of the virtues of private enterprise. PM’s monthly radio chat is an excellent platform to preach this mantra
On June 18, PM delivered the 102nd episode of Mann ki Baat, his radio chat with Indians across the country and beyond. Millions listen to the broadcast at 11am on the last Sunday of every month. Not since FDR’s fireside chats during America’s Depression or Churchill’s radio chats in World War II has a political leader used such a platform, and to such great effect.
A subject crying out for Mann ki Baat is how to lift the majority of Indians into the middle-class, so that the aam aadmi’s life is easier. Although India has grown at nearly 7% annually since 1991 – an outstanding achievement for any democracy – it has failed to create enough jobs. The fear is how will surplus Indians on the farm move up to better paying work? There are at least three reasons for our failure. One, we haven’t created enough manufacturing jobs in labour intensive sectors. Two, our schools and colleges have failed to deliver employable graduates barring a creamy layer. Three, the least appreciated, is that the market system has still not found a comfortable home in India. This is where Mann ki Baat comes in.
A subject crying out for Mann ki Baat is how to lift the majority of Indians into the middle-class, so that the aam aadmi’s life is easier. Although India has grown at nearly 7% annually since 1991 – an outstanding achievement for any democracy – it has failed to create enough jobs. The fear is how will surplus Indians on the farm move up to better paying work? There are at least three reasons for our failure. One, we haven’t created enough manufacturing jobs in labour intensive sectors. Two, our schools and colleges have failed to deliver employable graduates barring a creamy layer. Three, the least appreciated, is that the market system has still not found a comfortable home in India. This is where Mann ki Baat comes in.