Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who uses radio to address the nation every month, hailed the instrument as a "wonderful way to interact" and urged industry workers to keep the medium alive on the occasion of World Radio Day Monday.

"Radio is a wonderful way to interact, learn and communicate. My own Mann Ki Baat experience has connected me with people across India. Greetings on World Radio Day. I congratulate all radio lovers and those who work in the radio industry and keep the medium active and vibrant," Modi tweeted.

India's state-owned public broadcaster, All India Radio, is the largest radio network in the world and Modi uses it to stay connected to the common people by hosting Mann ki Baat.

Having started from October 3, 2014, the program aims at reaching people even in the remote parts of the country.

An estimated 90 per cent of the total Indian population is reachable over the medium. Moreover, various private FM radio stations in the metropolitan cities of India are allowed to broadcast a recording of the show.

source: Xinhua