NEW DELHI: These could be the most unexpected stream of letters babus in the Prime Minister’s Office may have received in all these years. ‘Aam aadmi’, taking a leaf out of Narendra Modi’s famous radio talk show Mann Ki Baat, open their hearts to the Prime Minister on various issues ranging from farmers’ plight to corruption at the local level. Many of these letters accessed by The Sunday Standard reveal various issues, which the common men want the PM to address on priority. As Modi completes one year in office, these written words appear to be vocabulary of change and hope on the ground.
In his letter ‘Mann Ki Baat Pradhan Mantri ji ke Saath’ (Mann Ki Baat with the PM), a farmer’s son from Karnal wants Modi to launch a crackdown on expensive private education industry.
In his emotional letter to the PM, the youth says he wants to express his “Mann Ki Baat” on education system which is increasingly becoming expensive for poor. “Why can’t we have a system on the lines on ‘Gurukul’ where students from poor families should be given free education and hostel facilities by the government? Dear, Prime Minister, I believe it is only you who can bring about a change. There are a very few government schools that provide residential education. If possible please increase their numbers,” he wrote further adding that his ministers should stop making objectionable comments in public and should know ground reality to understand real issues impacting common man.
An official on the condition of anonymity said that opposition may have used Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s talk show ‘Mann Ki Baat’ to launch attack on the government. The common man connect with PM is evident from the fact that end number of people are directly writing to Modi sharing their thoughts and seeking his attention on important issues.
“Each letter is given due importance and we have implemented a system where it is ensured that response has to be time-bound accompanied with details regarding appropriate action. The letters are also marked to the concerned ministries, depending on the subject, for a follow up. Sometime the PM himself writes a personal note,” PMO official added.
Another such letter seeks Modi’s intervention to scrap registration of ‘Employee Unions’ across the country as they have been obstructing development of the nation.
“Those who want to work and deliver for growth of India do not necessarily need to be a member of a particular union. Only those who believe more in politics and less in work are found to be in favour of such activities. I hope you remember how these Unions in the past blackmailed governments and acted against the welfare of the people,” the letter further stated.
PMO officials said the letter is being marked to the department of administrative reforms for an appropriate reply. A letter from a resident of outer Delhi on making highways toll free is also being forwarded to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways with instruction that action taken on the matter may please be sent to the concerned person with intimation to the PMO.
“Dear Prime Minister, Please do something to break the monopoly of cricket as many other sports and sportspersons are not getting their dues as we focus on just one sport. Please see if you can bring in a new sports policy giving equal importance to all the sports,” requested another letter which officials said will be marked to the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.
Officials said Modi held seven Mann Ki Baat addresses since October last year and it is evident from these letters that this new experiment to use an old medium to connect with the masses bodes well.
“Moreover, PM’s instruction to have a multi-ministry’s coordinated approach to handle suggestions and demands from people is finally streamlined and working seamlessly,” a PMO official observed.
Dear Prime Minister,
Please do something to break the monopoly of cricket as many other sports and sportspersons are not getting their dues as we focus on just one sport... Please see if you can bring in a new sports policy
Dear Prime Minister,
Why can’t we have a system on the lines on ‘Gurukul’ where students from poor families be given free education and hostel facilities by the government... I believe it is only you who can bring about a change.
Dear Prime Minister,
Those who want to work and deliver for growth of India do not necessarily need to be a member of a particular union... I hope you remember how these Unions in the past blackmailed governments and acted against the welfare of the people
A letter from a Delhi resident on making highways toll free is also being forwarded to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways with instruction that action taken on the matter may please be sent to the concerned person with intimation to the Prime Minister’s Office.