‘Pen is powering the broom now’

In his first media interaction in New Delhi – during the Diwali milan organised by BJP chief Amit Shah – as prime minister, Modi not only proved his critics wrong that he purposely ignores the media, but also gave a message that he cares for everybody in this country including media professionals.

Such was his aura, during his rather casual interaction with journalists, that most of them instead of asking questions, started taking ‘selfies’ with the man of the moment. Modi lauded media’s role in spreading awareness about ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan’ and said it has helped remove the perception that the government is responsible for everything. ‘It is the responsibility of the people to keep their surroundings clean,’ he said.

While recalling his fond relations with the media when he was a BJP office-bearer before becoming the chief minister of Gujarat in 2001, the PM said, ‘I used to arrange chairs here (in the BJP office) waiting for you (the media).’ ‘Woh din bhi kuchh aur the (Those were different days when we used to interact freely). I had a beautiful relationship with you and it helped me in Gujarat,’ he told in a well-decorated spacious enclosure at 9, Ashoka Road, adjacent to the BJP’s headquarters in central Delhi, where a large numbers of editors, journalists and photo-journalists were present.

After his brief speech, Modi came down from the podium and mixed freely with few hundred journalists, including top editors and reporters. Fondly recalling the relationship he had with the media, Modi said he was looking for ways to further deepen and expand the old relationship. ‘Some way will be found. It is important to interact with the media directly rather than through reportage and articles. By interacting directly, one gets to know things which media persons can not report. Not only does one get information but also vision, which is very valuable,’ he said.

‘I am happy to see several articles, TV features and social media write-ups on Swachch Bharat campaign. Media is giving the mission a wide publicity. Media has converted its pen into broom. This is a service to the nation,’ he added.

‘For the last 60 years, the thinking was that the government has to do everything. Now the thinking is that we all have to work together. This demonstrates how big a role media can play,’ Modi said. Media has inspired people to take part in the cleanliness exercise, he added. Modi also extended greetings of Bhai Dooj and Gujarati New Year to journalists on this occasion. Senior BJP leaders including Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley among others who are attended the meet.