During his monthly radio show Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi cited famed Tanzanian sibling combo Kili Paul and his sister Neema, and encouraged Indians to take inspiration from them. In his address to the country, Prime Minister Modi praised the two social media stars’ ingenuity as well as their love for Indian culture.
“I laud Kili and Neema, the siblings from Tanzania who sang our national anthem to celebrate India’s 73rd Republic Day. They were also recently honoured by High Commission of India,” Modi stated in his monthly ‘Mann ki Baat’ address.
“The diversity of Indian music is enthralling, if Kili Paul and Neema Paul can take our heritage to Tanzania, so can the youth of our nation by bringing back our ‘Azadi Ke Geet’ in their own way in various dialects and languages to celebrate the essence of India.”
With their videos based on Indian music, the Tanzanian duo has captured the hearts of many in the country. On Republic Day, Kili and Neema sang the Indian national song, and Modi paid a moving homage to Lata Mangeshkar, who died recently.
The Prime Minister invited Indians, particularly children, to follow Kili and Neema’s lead and create lip-sync videos to songs from other parts of the nation in an effort to popularise the country’s many languages. He went on to say that this will help redefine the meaning of the phrase “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.”
Modi also recalled how, a few years ago, overseas nationals from over 150 nations celebrated Gandhi Jayanti by chanting ‘Vaishnav Jana To’ while dressed in their traditional garb.
On social media, Kili-Neema followers were ecstatic to see the Prime Minister recognising the outstanding combo. Some people, however, were against encouraging people to produce lip-synced films.
Binaya Pradhan, the Indian High Commissioner in Tanzania, honoured Kili Paul earlier this week. “I’m really thrilled being recognised by the HIGH COMMISSIONER OF INDIA IN TANZANIA,” Paul posted on Instagram, thanking his supporters for the honour. It was a joy meeting you, Sir, and I appreciate everyone’s kindness toward me. I adore you, my Indian supporter; without you, I wouldn’t be here any longer. JAI HIND.”
