Narendra Modi: Cartoons don't hurt, they have mending power

Mumbai, Dec 18 Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday proposed that a contextual analysis of the socio-political history of last four to five decades by method for kid's shows be taken up by a college in Maharashtra.

He said cartoons don't hurt however have a "healing power".

He was talking in the wake of propelling an end table book, titled "Immortal Laxman", on the life and times of famous illustrator late R K Laxman, who was known for his notorious cartoon of 'The Common Man'.

Fadnavis and Governor C Vidyasagar Rao were also present at the event.

"I might like to tell Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to see if any university in the state can complete a contextual investigation of the socio-political history through the medium of cartoons.

The base can be Laxman's works," Modi said.

He said Laxman's cartoons were the "easiest way of teaching social science".

"Laxman was a person as well as a crucial string that held together crores of everyday citizens and their hearts," he said.

He congratulated the late cartoonist's family to digitalise the 'Common Man' animation and choosing to release his works in an animated form.

Cartoonists are "closer to God" as they can minutely observe different characteristics of various human beings, he said.

"The common man is consistent. He is modern and strong.

Indeed, even through his way for dressing, one can't make out which part of India he represents. Laxman's approach was to find diversity in caricatures and bring them together. Cartoons don't hurt. They have a healing power," he said.

Modi recalled how Laxman's cartoons established a lasting impression on his mind.

"I always used to feel why planes ought to have the 'Maharaja' tag and not that of a typical man. My idea achieved then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and a few flights have the regular man pictures on them," he said.

"In the wake of coming to control, I imagined that those wearing hawai chappals (slippers) should also be able to fly in planes. Presently, a greater number of people travel by air than second class air-conditioned train compartments," he said.

On the occasion, Fadnavis said Laxman's cartoons connected several generations.