Aim to end mindset of VIP culture, says PM Modi on beacon ban

The ban on the use of red beacons, which will come into force on Monday, is aimed at removing the VIP culture from the minds of certain people and replace it with the concept of "Every Person is Important" (EPI), Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday.

He said the red beacon had become a symbol of VIP culture which had crept into the mindset of those using it.

All the 125 crore people of the country have equal value and importance, Modi said in his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat in which he also pushed for more digital transactions, informed about the launch of South Asia Satellite on May 5 and spoke about some other issues.

"Generally, there is an atmosphere of hatred for the VIP culture in the country. How deep it is, I realised only recently when the government decided that howsoever big a person may be, he cannot move around in a vehicle using the red beacon," he said.

He was referring to the Union Cabinet decision of April 19 to ban the use of beacons from May 1. The ban will apply to all government vehicles, including those used by the Prime Minister, the Chief Ministers, central and state ministers and judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts.

"It (use of red beacon) had become sort of a symbol of VIP culture. Experience shows that though the red beacon would be used atop a vehicle, gradually the VIP culture would go to the head of those using it and it would lead to a mindset of VIP culture," the Prime Minister said.

"Although the lal batti is gone now, nobody can claim that because of this, the VIP culture which has gone into the mindset would have also gone," Modi said.

He said getting rid of the red beacon was an administrative decision but efforts have to be made to remove the VIP culture from the mindset also.

"If we all make concerted efforts jointly, this also can go (from the mindset)," he added.

The Prime Minister said his government's concept of 'New India' is that instead of 'VIP', more importance should be given to the 'EPI' culture.

"When I say EPI should replace VIP, the meaning is clear -- Every Person is Important. Every person has value and importance. If we recognise the importance of 123 crore citizens of the country, imagine the big strength that the country will have in fulfilling the grand dreams. We all have to do it together," he said.