The joint radio address by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Barack Obama on January 27 will reach audiences in over 30 nations and heard by a quarter of the world’s population.
Officials said the show, Mann ki Baat (chat from the heart), would be the “largest disseminated broadcast” event which is expected to reach more than 2 billion people in over 60 languages through a string of radio stations from the US to New Zealand.
American public radio behemoth NPR, previously known by the long-form National Public Radio, CNN, ITV and the New Zealand-based private radio station Tarana, which is run by an Indian expatriate, are among numerous radio broadcasters in touch with Indian authorities to air the address.
“It is indeed going to be the largest and vastest disseminated broadcast globally,” said F Sheheryar, the director general of the state-run All India Radio.
HT has learnt that the programme could be aired live from the colonial-era Hyderabad House, departing from the previous practice of broadcasting a pre-recorded version.
National Public Radio is America’s flagship public-cum-privately-funded American broadcaster, which acts as a national syndicator to over 900 public radio stations. CNN has informed that it would be tuning in, too.
{{/usCountry}}National Public Radio is America’s flagship public-cum-privately-funded American broadcaster, which acts as a national syndicator to over 900 public radio stations. CNN has informed that it would be tuning in, too.
{{/usCountry}}The two leaders are likely to present their world view and share their respective political philosophies during the broadcast which is likely to be of 30 minutes.
Obama has a similar radio show every Friday and Modi started his own — a monthly one — after becoming PM seven months ago.