Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Sunday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Mann Ki Baat' programme was more popular among the people of the country than 'Mahabharat' and 'Ramayan' mega TV serials of the 1980s.

Chief Minister Dr Saha during listening of 108^th episode of PM’s 'Mann Ki Baat' programme at the AMC 20 ward under Town Bardowali assembly constituency in Agartala along with party leaders and workers said that people to see that mothers and sisters rushing towards TV screens to watch episodes of 'Mahabharat' and 'Ramayan' soaps on Doordarshan every Sunday. “Nowadays, we see our mothers and sisters rushing to listen to PM's 'Mann Ki Baat' on the last Sunday of every month. This programme is more popular than the soaps of the 1980s," he said, while addressing the gathering.

"In the 1980s too, people criticised women rushing to watch TV soaps and even now many criticise those who listen to 'Mann Ki Baat'. But it makes no difference as people know what is what," he added.

'Mahabharat' (1988) and 'Ramayan' (1987), two epic serials created by BR Chopra and Ramananda Sagar respectively, were telecast on Doordarshan and were widely popular.

Taking a cue from the 108th episode of Mann Ki Baat, which aired on Sunday, Saha urged people to approach the future with devotion.

He (PM Modi) talked about nationalism, 75 Seemanta Gao Veero Ka Naam, Meri Maati Mera Desh, Har Ghar Tiranga, said Dr Saha.

“We need to move forward with dedication. The country comes first…everything else later. Truth will remain true. Untrue things will never remain, there may be some temporary problem, but there is no scope of confusion,” he said.

Speaking about PM Modi’s declaration of “four castes”—poor, women, youths and farmers, Saha said, “Caste politics happened in some states earlier, but the recent Assembly poll results in three states have shown that there is no place for casteism. For Modiji, the four castes are poor, women, youths and farmers. If these four castes are developed, the country will be developed.”

In Mann Ki Baat, Modi laid emphasis on the spirit of Viksit Bharat (developed India) and physical and mental well-being, among other things.

“Modiji talked about guarantees. The vehicle of guarantees arrived here also. He has given a guarantee for the guarantees,” he said.

“We held a meeting to discuss how to control the sound pollution. It depends on practice. So we should jointly make Ek Agartala, Shreshtha Agartala, Ek Tripura, Shreshtha Tripura and Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat,” he added.