Youth unite the world, says PM Modi on ‘Mann ki Baat’ with Barack Obama

New Delhi: A special radio programme featuring US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was aired Tuesday night, devoid of any hard issues like politics and foreign affairs but focussed on social issue and personal matters related to the two leaders.

The 35-minute special broadcast of 'Mann Ki Baat', which marked the bonhomine between Modi and Obama, touched on issues like girl child, public health and personal experiences of the two leaders, both of whom have risen from humble backgrounds to assume to top positions of the respective countries.

The programme, recorded on Monday, was virtually conducted by Modi, who read out the questions received from various parts of the country and both the leaders answered them.

At the outset, Modi said most of the questions posed by people were "connected to politics, foreign policy, economic policy. However, some questions touch the heart. And I believe if we touch those questions today, we shall be able to reach out to the common man in different parts of the country."

Obama, before answering the questions, said 'namaste' to the listeners and talked about his discussions with Modi and how his country wants to be a partner in India's endeavour to lift its billions of people from poverty.

He expressed keenness to partner India in development of infrastructure and in provision of facilities like clean energy and electricity.

Significantly, when Modi visited the US in September last year, he and Obama had written a joint Op-Ed in a major American daily.

Here are the excerpts from the joint radio show:

Questions for Barack Obama

Q. How will you share your experiences about India to your daughters?

My daughters wanted to come but unfortunately they had school. They are fascinated by India's culture and history. I am going to tell them that India is as magnificent as they imagined. Will have to come to India again with my daughters.

Q. Will you and your wife continue to work to reduce diabetes and obesity?

A. We are seeing a worldwide epidemic of obesity, in many cases starting at a very young age. We look forward to partnering with Indian organizations, Govt & NGOs around public health issues including obesity. It can lead to lifetime of health challenges & we would like to work on this issue internationally including India.

Q. Would you both imagine you would reach the position you have reached today with your wife?

A. When I first when to White House I stood outside the same fence & never imagined I would visit there, forget living there. A tea seller or some one born to a single mother lead our nations. An example of extra ordinary opportunities in our nations. We both have been blessed with an extraordinary opportunity coming from humble beginnings.

Q. What should leaders do for the youth of today?

A. Youth today has the world on their fingertips. I have much greater faith in countries that are open societies like the US, India. We want to ensure healthy debate between our peoples. Leaders can’t simply try to govern by top down strategy, but rather have to engage in dialogue with citizens.

Q. As a leader of a major economy, what makes you smile after a bad day of work?

A. There are days when its tough and frustrating, that is true in domestic and foreign affairs. almost everyday, I met somebody that you made a difference in my life. That gets me going.

Questions for Narendra Modi

Q. What touched you the most during your US visit?

A. I had never though that I would ever get an opportunity to visit White House. Barack gave me a book on Swami Vivekananda. He searched the book for me and also showed me the lines written by Vivekananda. Barack's gesture touched my heart.

Q. Would you both imagine you would reach the position you have reached today?

A. If you have a dream, dream big so that it inspires you to become something.

Q. Which America leader inspired you the most?

A. I am truly insopired by Benjamin Franklin. We all should read about him. When I was a child I got to read about his life story and was truly inspired by him. He was political leader, thinker and came from a very ordinary family.

Q. What makes you smile after a bad day of work?

A. I would want to narrate an incident to you. I once visited a poor family and they insisted me to dine with them. Their love and care for me had inspired me to work for the nation. It inspires me that even the poor of the country are concerned about me, inspite of them struggling to make end meet.