NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday marked 12 years of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, describing it as a “pilgrimage” that has allowed him to understand the efforts of people across the country and recognise their contributions.Addressing the 139th episode of the programme, PM Modi recalled that Mann Ki Baat began on the occasion of Vijayadashami 12 years ago and has continued uninterrupted since then. He thanked listeners for being fellow travellers and guides throughout the journey.“For me, ‘Mann Ki Baat’ has been a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the hard work, courage, commitment, dedication and spirit of service of the common man of our country,” the Prime Minister said.Drawing a parallel with India’s longstanding tradition of pilgrimages, PM Modi said the programme had given him an opportunity to understand people’s efforts closely and pay tribute to their contributions.“Our country has had a tradition of pilgrimages for centuries. For me, ‘Mann Ki Baat’ is not less than a pilgrimage, a journey to closely understand the efforts of people of the country and to pay tribute to their contributions,” he said.
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