New Delhi, Oct 29 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Moditoday said his 'Mann Ki Baat' programme may have beencriticised by some but it has forged an "unbreakable" bondwith the people, in an apparent answer to the critics of hismonthly radio broadcast.
"The 'Mann Ki Baat' (programme) is praised and sometimesit is criticised. But when I see the impact of 'Mann Ki Baat',my belief becomes a conviction that the programme has forgedan unbreakable bond with the people," he said.
He said an example in this regard was the record sale ofkhadi products. Through his "Mann Ki Baat' programme, he hasbeen exhorting people to buy the khadi products and popularisethese.
Critics in the Opposition have been attacking Modi overthe 'Mann Ki Baat' programme, saying that it is a one-way talkand the prime minister does not care to listen to the voice ofthe people.
The sale of khadi and handloom witnessed 90 per centincrease during this Diwali against the previous year'sfigure, the prime minister said in today's episode of 'Mann KiBaat'.
He also said that khadi sale at just one outlet in Delhion the last Dhanteras on October 17 was a record Rs 1.2 crore.
"Earlier, it was 'khadi for nation' and we talked about'khadi for fashion'. But lately we realised that 'khadi fortransformation' is taking the place of 'khadi for nation' and'khadi for fashion'," he said.
"During Diwali, khadi gift coupon sales recorded anoverwhelming 680 per cent rise. Compared to last year, thetotal sales of khadi and village industries products haverisen almost by 90 percent. One can clearly see that today,the youth, the elderly and women of every age group are takingto khadi," the prime minister said.
"Khadi and handloom have transformed the lives of thepoorest of the poor and are emerging as a powerful means ofempowering them. It is playing a very important role forgramodaya," he said. PTI AKKAKK.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.
