In a first-of-its kind joint radio address programme called ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the US President Barack Obama spoke on issues ranging from girl child education, their humble beginnings and shared anecdotes from their lives.
The radio address that lasted more than 30 minutes is part of a series that started in October last year. Modi addresses the nation every month on social themes and fields questions from the audience through this programme. When Modi had visited the US last year, he and Obama had written a joint Op-Ed in a major American daily also.
In the opening remark, Obama emphasised on the shared values of both the countries and added they should be partners in the effort to lift people up from extreme poverty, to empower women, to provide access to electricity and clean energy and invest in infrastructure and the education system.
“India and the United States are natural partners, because we have so much in common. We’re two great democracies, two innovative economies, two diverse societies dedicated to empowering individuals. We are linked together by millions of proud Indian Americans who still have family and carry on traditions from India,” Obama said.
On the campaign for education of girl child, Modi said that the poor sex ratio in India was a cause of great concern. He added that the perspective towards women and men, girls and boys, is something that needed to be
rectified.
“I would like to say that save the girl child. Educating the girl child is a social responsibility that we have. It’s a responsibility that we have towards our culture, it’s a responsibility towards humanity,” Modi said.
In his address, Obama emphasised the need for governments all over the world to govern in an inclusive and transparent way as the young generation was exposed to the world in a manner that it was not possible to obstruct the flow of information to it.
