In his final Mann Ki Baat of 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reflected on the contributions of four legendary figures from Indian cinema—Raj Kapoor, Mohammed Rafi, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, and Tapan Sinha—whose birth centenaries are being celebrated this year.
Speaking during his monthly radio broadcast, he highlighted how these icons brought international recognition to India through their work, leaving an enduring legacy in the country's film industry.
Raj Kapoor, known as the showman of Hindi cinema, was praised for introducing India's soft power to the world through his films. Rafi's voice, which resonated with diverse emotions, continues to touch the hearts of listeners, even among today’s youth.
Modi called Rafi’s ability to evoke devotion, romance, and sadness through his voice a testament to his timeless art. He also recognized Akkineni Nageswara Rao for elevating Telugu cinema and portraying India's traditions and values, while Tapan Sinha’s films were lauded for promoting social consciousness and national unity.
The centenaries of these luminaries—Raj Kapoor on December 14, Mohammed Rafi on December 24, Akkineni Nageswara Rao on September 20, and Tapan Sinha on October 2—have been commemorated with reverence.
The Prime Minister also mentioned the ongoing activities in celebration of India’s Constitution, which will mark its 75th anniversary in January 2025. He encouraged citizens, especially students, to visit constitution75.com, a website launched to connect the public with the Constitution’s legacy.
This website allows users to explore the Preamble in multiple languages and upload their own videos, inviting a wider engagement with the nation’s foundational document.
Modi also discussed the upcoming Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, emphasizing the event's symbolic unity in diversity. He highlighted innovations like AI-powered navigation systems and a digital lost-and-found center to improve the experience for millions of attendees.
Through such advancements, the Kumbh is evolving into a Maha Kumbh of Unity, bringing people together from all walks of life, irrespective of their backgrounds.
Shifting to the cultural realm, Modi expressed his pride in the increasing global recognition of India’s creative industries. He spoke about the Krish, Trish, and Baltiboy animation series, which highlights unsung heroes of India's freedom struggle, now available in multiple languages.
Modi lauded India’s entertainment industry for fostering national unity and contributing to the country’s economic progress.
The Prime Minister also shared the exciting news of the first World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) to be held in India next year. This event will gather media and entertainment giants from around the world and will help position India as a global hub for content creation.
Modi encouraged all young creators, whether in film, TV, animation, gaming, or entertainment technology, to be a part of this monumental summit.
In the final part of his address, Modi celebrated the global reach of India's culture, citing examples from Egypt and Paraguay. In Egypt, students participated in a painting competition showcasing Indian culture, while in Paraguay, Erica Huber, an Ayurvedic practitioner, is helping locals discover the benefits of Ayurveda.
Additionally, he mentioned the launch of a Tamil Teaching Programme in Fiji, supported by the Indian government, marking a significant step in promoting Indian language and culture worldwide.
In conclusion, the Prime Minister celebrated India’s growing influence in the global cultural landscape, from art to Ayurveda, language to music.
He also praised the growing participation in sports across India, mentioning the unique Bastar Olympics in Chhattisgarh as a testament to the changing dynamics of the region. This event, which marks a significant shift from the area's violent past, saw over 165,000 participants from seven districts.
Through these initiatives, Modi highlighted India's vibrant cultural and sports contributions, underscoring how the nation’s creative industries and traditional values are making a mark globally, bringing people together in unity and diversity.
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