Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is an Internet enthusiast and somewhat of a social media star, is relying more and more on the so called NaMo app to interact with close colleagues and with his constituency, spanning all of India.
The app was launched in June this year and now has over a million downloads in the Google Play store. It is available for iOS and Windows mobile.
Modi uses the app for different purposes and the newest addition to the app are two private groups administered by the Prime Minister himself. A report in the Economic Times says that he has two private groups on the app, one includes members of the cabinet and the other, the BJP MLAs.
One of his current agendas on the app is to spread information about 70 pro-poor government initiatives to people ahead of the upcoming 70th Independence Day celebrations. In response to a message from the Prime Minister on the NaMo app, ministers have posted information on government schemes and initiatives undertaken by their respective ministries.
Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, reported on the India Skill Mission under which 1.04 crore people are being trained per year, whereas Textile minister Smriti Irani responded with the ministry's plans for the National Handloom Day which will be observed on 7 August. Food minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal elaborated on plans to set up 6 mega food parks.
"The group is increasing communication between PM and MPs who may be far off. Unlike WhatsApp this is a secure group as it is on our own servers," a government official told ET.
Reportedly, the prime minister wants to open more private groups on the NaMo app with sportspersons, technocrats and farm experts.
Modi hosts a lot of other content on the app such as his blog, news related to the government and his weekly radio chat with the public, called "Mann ki Baat".
After the Prime Minister's meeting with Apple CEO Tim Cook two months ago, a social network was inaugurated in the app where people could get in touch with the PM, and a virtual reward scheme was also introduced where people are given badges for their active participation in the app, with the most active users getting an Orange tick.