Pranoy J supervised by Dr. Sushmita Banerji received his Master of Science – Dual Degree  in Computing and Human Sciences (CHD). Here’s a summary of his research work on Deciphering Narendra Modi: Hybrid Methodologies for Analysing Political Text:

This thesis examines the utilisation of hybrid methodologies, integrating traditional textual analysis with computational techniques, to optimise research efficiency in the analysis of political discourse. This endeavour aligns with the ongoing paradigm shift within the Digital Humanities, driven by advancements in computational and machine learning technologies. Specifically, two distinct projects analyse the public addresses of the incumbent Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. The first project investigates Mann ki Baat, a series of radio broadcasts initiated during the first Modi administration. This study aims to ascertain the primary objective of the series. The second project analyses the Prime Minister’s Independence Day speeches (15th August), exploring the contrasts in narrative style and content between the two terms of the current administration and the rationale behind these perceived changes. The first study examining the Mann ki Baat radio broadcasts utilises a suite of Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques to generate initial observations. Subsequently, classical textual analysis is applied to a carefully curated corpus of 25 speeches, selected for their temporal alignment with significant socio-political events in India, to validate, substantiate, and extend these findings. The research demonstrates that the series functions as an aesthetic imperative, representing a large-scale governmental initiative that uses state machinery and financial resources to propagate the values and ideals of the BJP as a political entity over the overarching NDA government. The second study divides Narendra Modi’s ten Indian Independence Day addresses according to his terms of office. To facilitate rigorous analysis, a comprehensive annotation procedure was implemented, wherein the thematic content of each sentence was systematically categorised. Subsequently, a comparative analysis was performed, contrasting the content and narrative styles of the two sets of speeches. The findings reveal a significant thematic transition: from an emphasis on inclusivity during the first term to a focus on infrastructural development and national self-sufficiency in the second. Furthermore, discernible shifts in narrative style were observed, including a consistent augmentation of mono-religious allusions and direct appeals to a gendered audience. By integrating the conclusions derived from both projects, albeit obtained through different methodologies, a coherent understanding of the overarching narrative that the government has articulated during its tenure in power can be established. Furthermore, this research demonstrates the feasibility of employing hybrid methodologies in the analysis of political rhetoric. 

June 2025