PM interacts with Radio Jockeys on COVID-19, asks them celebrate contribution of local heroes

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 27, 2020, interacted with Radio Jockeys (RJs) via video conference. The Prime Minister appreciated the role played by the RJs in spreading awareness about COVID-19. He said it is praiseworthy that even in lockdown, RJs are discharging their responsibility and recording programmes from home.

PM Modi said that through the reach of the programmes, RJs are like members of families of millions of Indian households. People not only hear but also follow them. Apart from spreading information about the views of experts and steps taken by the government, PM also requested RJs to provide feedback about the difficulties and challenges facing the people so that the government can proactively resolve them.

The Prime Minister exhorted the RJs to disseminate positive stories and case studies, particularly of those patients that have fully recovered from Coronavirus infection, and also inter-play such stories in different parts of the country, thus bringing the entire country together. He also asked them to showcase and constantly celebrate the contributions of the local heroes like police officers, doctors, nurses, ward boys etc. at national level.

Underlining the importance of empathy, the PM said that it is important to tell the stories of misbehavior with doctors, health care workers and airline staff due to societal fears of them being infected by the virus, so that such challenges are overcome. He also underlined the importance of educating the public about the dedication of police personnel who are working continuously to assist the public. He said that the public should cooperate with police, adding that while police should avoid usage of strong arm tactics, it is also necessary to enforce discipline and 130 crore Indians should act as national volunteers in fighting the pandemic.

He said that the government has announced a number of measures to assist the poor and under-privileged in this difficult time. It is important that information about these announcements reaches the intended beneficiaries swiftly. He said that as mass communicators, the RJs can play a  proactive role in informing their listeners about the announcements, along with educating them about social distancing and the importance of self-quarantine.

In their response, the RJs called the Prime Minister as a part of the RJ fraternity since he has been hosting the widely successful ‘Mann ki Baat’ on radio since 2014. Pointing out the unprecedented response to Prime Minister’s call of ‘Janata Curfew’  and his innovative idea of thanking the front line warriors, the RJs praised his leadership and said they would be happy to play the role of the voice of the nation in the battle against the pandemic.

The Prime Minister observed that public broadcaster All India Radio has a particularly important role to play in stopping the flow of rumours. He also requested the RJs to also work towards checking the spread of rumours, according to a PIB release.