Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first radio speech Friday Oct 03,2014

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made his first radio speech in a bid to reach out to tens of millions of Indians with no access to television.

The address, titled Man ki Baat (A talk from the heart), ran on state-run All India Radio (AIR), as well as all FM channels and community radio stations.

It was also shown live on state and private television channels.

The address is an attempt by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to connect with India's public after winning power in May 2014.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has pledged economic reform and recovery, and has pitched a 'Come, Make In India' campaign to foreign investors and businesses, urged the country to recognize and develop its skills. "We have to understand ourselves better and integrate our strengths. We are not lacking in strength."

He also urged people to buy "at least one khadi product" because "If you buy Khadi you light the lamp of prosperity in the house of a poor person."  

He said, in response to a citizen who had written to him about children with special needs, "Specially-abled children are the responsibility of the whole society."

The PM asked people to write to him about issues they would like addressed. "I urge people to share details of inspiring incidents. I will share them with the country."
The prime minister is very active on social media - he has 6.79 million followers on Twitter and his Facebook page has 22.5 million "likes".
'Clean up'

The 15-minute speech -- was broadcast from 11:00 India time [05:30GMT]