Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Harsh Malhotra on Sunday, 30 August led a city-wide listening drive for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat', with party workers and residents gathering at 6,339 locations across the national capital. The 137th episode of the programme drew senior BJP leaders and local community members to simultaneous listening sessions spanning every district of Delhi.

Key Leaders and Venues

Malhotra, joined by Shahdara District President Deepak Gaba, State Minister Sardar Gurmeet Singh Sura, BJP Media Co-Incharge Pradeep Bhandari, and Delhi BJP Chief Spokesperson Anil Gupta, attended the session at Saini Enclave. Separately, BJP National Vice-President Baijayant Jay Panda listened alongside local Resident Welfare Association (RWA) members and party workers at the Park Shed in Government Employees' Colony, Sadiq Nagar, Sector-3. MLA Neeraj Basoya and Municipal Councillor Anita Basoya were also present. BJP MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri and Praveen Khandelwal attended separate sessions with party workers.

Drug-Free India: Delhi BJP's Pledge

The episode's focus on 'Drug-Free Youth, Drug-Free India' drew a strong response from Malhotra, who announced that the Delhi BJP would carry the anti-drug message to every district, Assembly constituency and booth across the city. He said seminars in schools and colleges, sports competitions, and youth gatherings would be organised to connect young people with sports, culture, and public service. 'We will take the message to every household that the real hero is not the one who consumes drugs, but the one who speaks out against drugs,' Malhotra said.

PM SVANidhi Scheme and Women's Empowerment

Malhotra also highlighted Prime Minister Modi's remarks on the Pradhan Mantri SVANidhi Scheme, noting that 46 per cent of its beneficiaries are women. According to the programme, nearly 35 lakh women across India are expanding their businesses under the scheme. In Delhi, Malhotra said the party would support women street vendors from the general category with digital transactions, banking access, and marketing assistance to strengthen their economic independence.

'Vocal for Local' and the Festive Season Appeal

With the festive season approaching, Malhotra echoed Prime Minister Modi's call for 'Vocal for Local', urging Delhi residents to purchase Made in India and Made in Delhi products. He said this would directly benefit artisans, potters, weavers, and small traders. After the programme concluded, Malhotra planted a sapling under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative.

Mann Ki Baat's Reach: A Historical Parallel

National Vice-President Baijayant Jay Panda described 'Mann Ki Baat' as a record-setting exercise in direct public communication, comparing it to the fireside radio chats of US President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1940s. Panda argued that Modi's sustained, long-running dialogue with crores of citizens through the programme is broader in scale and impact than any comparable historical precedent. The Delhi BJP's mobilisation for the 137th episode underscores the party's ongoing effort to use the programme as an organisational and outreach tool ahead of future electoral cycles.