The RSS instilled in me a life of purpose — the idea that the nation is everything and serving the people is akin to serving God, embodied in a massive volunteer network of 125,000 service projects and 25,000 schools.

(00:00:00) The following is a conversation with Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India. (00:00:08) It was one of the most moving conversations and experiences of my life. (00:00:13) Allow me here to say a few words about it. (00:00:17) Please skip ahead straight to our conversation if you like. (00:00:21) Narendra Modi's life story is incredible. (00:00:25) He rose from poverty to lead a nation of 1.4 billion people. (00:00:30) the biggest democracy in the world, where he won epic scale elections for Prime Minister three times. (00:00:37) As a leader, he fought for ideas that unite his nation of India, a nation that is composed of a large number of highly varied and disparate cultures and peoples who have a long history marked by religious, social, and political frictions. (00:00:54) He's known for taking decisive, at times controversial actions, for which he's loved by hundreds of millions of people and is also criticized by many. (00:01:04) We discuss all of this at length in this conversation. (00:01:09) On the world stage, he is respected as a peacemaker and friend by most major world leaders. (00:01:16) even those whose nations are at war with each other, from the United States, to China, to Ukraine and Russia, to Israel, Palestine, and the Middle East, and everywhere else. (00:01:28) Now, at this moment in history, it is clear, at least to me, that the flourishing of human civilization hangs in the balance, with several wars on the brink of escalation to regional and even global conflict, rising tensions between nuclear powers, (00:01:44) technological developments from AI to nuclear fusion that aim to completely transform society and geopolitics as we know it, and of course, generally, increasing political and cultural turmoil. (00:01:58) So now, more than ever, we need great leaders, great peacemakers who build bridges, not destroy them, who may preserve the identity of their nations, but still celebrate the common humanity of all of us, (00:02:14) all people on earth. (00:02:16) For this and many other reasons, this conversation with Prime Minister Modi was one of the most remarkable I've ever had. (00:02:25) You may hear such words and think that I'm just enamored by power or access. (00:02:31) No, never was, never will be. (00:02:36) I do not idolize anyone, especially those in power. (00:02:40) I'm generally skeptical of power, money, and fame because of their natural, corrupting influence on the mind, the heart, the soul of a person. (00:02:48) The whole point of all the conversations I've had in my life, on mic and off mic, is that I try to see and explore the full complexity of every human being, the good and the bad. (00:03:03) I believe we're all the same in a deep, fundamental sense, all capable of good. (00:03:09) All capable of evil. (00:03:11) All carry stories of pain and stories of hope. (00:03:16) Whether you're a world leader or a truck driver, a coal miner, or a farmer in the American Midwest. (00:03:24) And by the way, I will be talking to a lot of the latter kind of folk this year off mic and maybe even on mic as I travel the US and the world. (00:03:35) My brief statements here about Narendra Modi are about both him as a leader and especially him as a human being. (00:03:43) In the extensive time I spent with him, I spoke with him, off mic and on mic, it was a deeply personal human interaction, characterized by warmth, kindness, humor, inner and outer peace, and absolute focus on the conversation between us in the present moment, as if nothing else existed. (00:04:05) I have heard from many people that he treats everyone he meets in this empathic way, no matter where they come from or what their position is in this world. (00:04:16) So, for those and many other reasons, this really was an incredible experience I will never forget. (00:04:24) Oh, and by the way, we made captions and voiceover audio tracks available in English, Hindi, and other languages. (00:04:32) You can also listen to the original mixed language version where I speak English and Prime Minister Modi speaks Hindi. (00:04:39) Separately, you can choose to turn on subtitles in your preferred language. (00:04:45) On YouTube, you can switch between language audio tracks by clicking the Settings gear icon, then clicking Audio Track, and then selecting the language you prefer. (00:04:56) For fully English overdub, select English. (00:04:59) For fully Hindi overdub, select Hindi. (00:05:02) And to listen to the original mixed language version where I speak English and Prime Minister Modi speaks Hindi, please select Hindi Latin audio track. (00:05:12) So you can listen either to a version that is all one language or to the original mixed language version with subtitles in your preferred language. (00:05:20) The default is English overdub, where thanks to Eleven Labs and a great team of translators, we do our best to bring the Prime Minister's voice to life with AI voice cloning in English. (00:05:34) I promise that we will continue to work very hard to break down the barriers that language creates. (00:05:41) and try to make these conversations as accessible as possible to everyone in the world. (00:05:48) Anyway, let me pause one more time to say a big thank you. (00:05:53) What a wild ride this life has been. (00:05:56) It's an honor for me to be on it with all of you. (00:06:00) I love you all. (00:06:02) And now a quick few second mention of your sponsor. (00:06:05) Check them out in the description. (00:06:06) It is in fact the best way to support this podcast. (00:06:09) We got Brain FM for focus, Shopify for merch, Masterclass for learning, NetSuite for your business, AG1 for your health and element, for your electrolytes. (00:06:20) What else can I say? (00:06:21) Choose wisely, my friends. (00:06:22) Also, if you want to get in touch with me for whatever reason, go to lexfreeman.com/contact. (00:06:28) There's a bunch of links on there, like AMA or guest suggestions or hiring. (00:06:34) Still looking for world-class translators. (00:06:38) way harder than I thought it would be because it really, really, really matters. (00:06:43) AI is still quite far away from being able to translate, especially these high stakes conversations to really capture the nuance that's necessary, the humanity that's necessary. (00:06:55) Anyway, now is the part where I do the full ad reads. (00:07:00) If you want to skip them, (00:07:01) and hurt my heart. (00:07:03) No, you're not going to hurt my heart. (00:07:04) Go ahead and skip them. (00:07:05) It doesn't really matter. (00:07:06) But I do try to make them interesting. (00:07:08) I do try to say stuff in there that's maybe about my life, about kind of like Mark Maron on WTF talks about his cats and various things of that nature in the beginning. (00:07:18) And some people love it, some people hate it. (00:07:20) But the people who care or are just laying on the floor, too lazy to skip ahead, (00:07:29) Here we are, friends. (00:07:30) Let's get into it. (00:07:32) But either way, please do check out the sponsors. (00:07:34) It really is the best way to support the podcast. (00:07:36) I enjoy their stuff. (00:07:37) Maybe you will too. (00:07:39) This episode is brought to you by Brain FM, a platform that offers music specifically made for focus. (00:07:47) I was just listening to them. (00:07:49) I've had a rough few days and nights. (00:07:52) Just the amount of workload has been insane, of preparation, of reading, of writing. (00:07:59) of rewriting, of editing, of thinking about, well, thinking about the geopolitics of the various regions I'm traveling to. (00:08:09) It's been rough. (00:08:10) I've slept very little. (00:08:12) I actually have, usually don't get a headache, but I have a rare headache. (00:08:16) So doing a little plug for BrainFM is just kind of hilarious 'cause of the brain part. (00:08:23) My brain has definitely been leveraging the BrainFM to escape (00:08:28) the torment of sleep deprivation. (00:08:31) Yeah, I'm still super focused. (00:08:33) It really helps me focus. (00:08:34) I've for a long time listened to brown noise or any kind of sort of waterfall, that kind of stuff. (00:08:39) But just the variety that Brain FM provides makes it really fun. (00:08:43) I just, sometimes I layer it. (00:08:45) I'll listen to stuff from Brain FM and then add some brown noise on top of that or white noise and just control the different volumes. (00:08:54) But usually I'll just listen to Brain FM. (00:08:56) So (00:08:57) It's really amazing. (00:08:58) Increase your focus and try Brain FM free for 30 days by going to brain.fm/lex. (00:09:05) That's brain.fm/lex for 30 days free. (00:09:10) This episode is also brought to you by Shopify. (00:09:13) Oh, old friend Shopify, a platform designed for anyone to sell anywhere with a great looking online store. (00:09:23) Certain sponsors just all in. (00:09:26) have been so kind and supportive. (00:09:29) I mean, we have way more sponsors than we can possibly have on the podcast. (00:09:32) So there's a lot of competition, but we just kind of have this loyalty to sponsors. (00:09:37) First of all, the companies that are good and the sponsors that have been kind over time. (00:09:42) I don't know. (00:09:44) There's a kind of unspoken support that's bigger than whatever the advertisement or the financial connection. (00:09:51) I don't really think much about sort of the details of the sponsorships or (00:09:56) the money or the views or all of that, I think about what I can do in the smallest of ways to make a better world. (00:10:06) I kind of imagine 8 billion people all doing something throughout the day and sort of the delta that they create, the change they are, the change they live, the change they push out into the world. (00:10:22) I want to be one of the people that (00:10:25) does the tiny positive delta. (00:10:28) Anyway, you can make an online store. (00:10:32) I figured out how to do it. (00:10:34) I forget what the URL is. (00:10:35) I think it's lexfreeman.com slash store. (00:10:39) There you go. (00:10:40) You can sign up for a $1 per month trial period at shopify.com slash Lux. (00:10:45) That's all lowercase. (00:10:46) Go to shopify.com slash Lux to take your business to the next level today. (00:10:51) This episode is also brought to you by Masterclass. (00:10:55) where you can watch over 200 classes from the best people in the world in their respective disciplines. (00:11:02) Phil Ivey on poker. (00:11:03) How have I not spoken with Phil Ivey? (00:11:06) I have spoken off mic with Phil Hellmuth, probably the most brilliant and impactful and influential, really the greatest human to have ever lived, you know, Phil Hellmuth. (00:11:22) I don't know, there's something about Phil Hellmuth. (00:11:25) The times I got a chance to interact with him, just bringing a smile to my face. (00:11:30) I don't know. (00:11:31) There's just the real joy in him, just the way he is. (00:11:34) There's certain people that are unabashedly who they are, and it's just beautiful to watch. (00:11:40) Anyway, Phil Ivy actually is an example of that as well. (00:11:43) Daniel Magrano, all those folks, a lot of folks in the poker world, just, I mean, it takes a certain kind of human being. (00:11:51) You fearlessly, (00:11:54) Individualistic, I would say. (00:11:56) And so you get to see the full character, the personality of the person. (00:11:59) So it's wonderful to see. (00:12:01) And you can get that with Masterclass with Phil Ivey. (00:12:03) I really enjoyed that one. (00:12:04) Carlos Santana is one of my favorite on guitar. (00:12:07) There's many, many, many more. (00:12:08) Okay. (00:12:09) Get unlimited access to every Masterclass and get an additional 15% off an annual membership at masterclass.com/lexpod. (00:12:16) That's masterclass.com/lexpod. (00:12:20) This episode is brought to you by NetSuite. (00:12:23) and all in one cloud business management system. (00:12:27) I don't know if you can tell, but I'm gradually sliding down in a chair to where I'm almost in a horizontal position. (00:12:34) It is now 5 A.m. (00:12:37) I have not slept for a long time, and before that, I only slept for three hours. (00:12:43) There's an eternal silence around me. (00:12:45) I'm probably going to go to 7-Eleven, sit around, drink a Coke Zero, maybe eat some string cheese. (00:12:53) Although I would really be risking it, if I'm being honest, friends, because geez, at 7-Eleven, dangerous, real dangerous. (00:13:02) What are you going to do? (00:13:03) I love you, 7-Eleven. (00:13:05) All these places, Chipotle. (00:13:06) This has nothing to do with NetSuite, except the fact that Chipotle and 7-Eleven are great businesses. (00:13:12) And if you want to be running a great business, you should be using a great ERP system, which is NetSuite is like the top of the top with the song, (00:13:22) You're the best around. (00:13:24) Nothing's going to ever keep you down. (00:13:26) You're the best around the 80s. (00:13:31) Boy, how bad and good was music in the 80s with the hair bands. (00:13:36) Just wonderful. (00:13:39) Humans, hey? (00:13:41) Funny little creatures. (00:13:43) I love them all. (00:13:45) All right, so if you want to run a business, (00:13:48) you should use NetSuite. (00:13:49) They'll help you out. (00:13:50) Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning at netsuite.com slash Lex. (00:13:56) That's netsuite.com slash Lex. (00:14:00) This episode is brought to you by AG1, an all-in-one daily drink to support better health and peak performance. (00:14:09) Speaking of sponsors that's been there all along, they're great. (00:14:14) I'm traveling soon for a long time. (00:14:17) I'm only bringing a few travel packs, and I'm going to some rural places with no internet, with no anything, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to run out of the travel packs, and then I'm going to feel like, well, it'll give me something to miss, you know. (00:14:33) AG1, the way I have it set up with the containers and the refrigerator, and just everything's nice and cold and at home, it just makes me feel wonderful about being home. (00:14:45) I miss it already. (00:14:46) I miss it already. (00:14:48) I love Austin. (00:14:48) I've fallen in love with Texas. (00:14:50) So being away from Texas just makes me a little bit homesick. (00:14:55) But sometimes you have to take the leap into the unknown to discover something about the world. (00:15:01) And then by doing so, discover something about yourself. (00:15:05) When the age of one runs out, I'll start dreaming about home. (00:15:09) And in that melancholy feeling, I'll find myself again. (00:15:15) or maybe a slightly newer, improved version of myself. (00:15:19) Anyway, they'll give you one month's supply of fish oil when you sign up for drink81.com slash Lex. (00:15:25) This episode is brought to you by Element, my daily zero sugar and delicious electrolyte mix. (00:15:30) Sip it in now. (00:15:32) I should probably also get a coffee. (00:15:34) When does Starbucks open? (00:15:36) I think it's like 5.30 A.m. (00:15:39) I love rolling into Starbucks. (00:15:41) Like, (00:15:42) waiting outside for them to open and they open and you come in and it's just you. (00:15:47) And we're both exhausted, looking at each other, wondering how has life brought us, the two of us, strangers and friends together in this moment, in the early morning, sometimes before even sunrise, addicted to coffee. (00:16:03) They look at me and they don't ask questions. (00:16:04) They just kind of accept this guy again. (00:16:08) I'm sure there's a reason. (00:16:10) Why is he always wearing the same thing? (00:16:13) Anyway, I sip now the watermelon salt as I prepare to face the abyss of travel, international travel. (00:16:21) When I hang up this phone, I'm not on a phone call, but let's pretend you and I are talking on a phone call. (00:16:27) When I hang up this phone, I'm going to throw a couple more pieces of clothing in the suitcase, and I'm going to throw the suitcase in the trunk, drive to the airport, and fly away. (00:16:42) I hope you're still listening, in which case I applaud you. (00:16:45) Thank you for your support through all the roller coaster of this life. (00:16:50) Get a sample pack for free with any purchase. (00:16:53) Try it to drink element.com slash Lex. (00:16:58) This is the Lex Friedman podcast. (00:17:01) And now, dear friends, here's the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. (00:17:24) So I should also say I'm fasting right now. (00:17:26) It's been almost two days, 45 hours. (00:17:30) So just water, no food. (00:17:32) In honor of this conversation, just to get in the right mindset, get into the spiritual level, I've read that you often fast for many days. (00:17:41) Can you explain why you fast and where does your mind go when you fast? (00:17:47) First of all, I'm truly, pleasantly surprised and honored that you're fasting, all the more because it feels like you're fasting as a tribute of respect for me. (00:18:03) So I express my deepest gratitude to you for doing this. (00:18:08) In India, (00:18:13) Our religious traditions are actually a way of life. (00:18:25) Our Supreme Court once gave a brilliant interpretation of Hinduism. (00:18:33) They have stated that Hinduism is not about rituals or methods of worship. (00:18:41) But rather, it's a way of living, a philosophy that guides life itself. (00:18:50) And in our scriptures, there is deep discussion on elevating the body, mind, intellect, soul, and humanity. (00:19:07) They outline (00:19:09) various paths, traditions, and systems to achieve this. (00:19:14) And fasting is one of them. (00:19:18) But fasting alone isn't everything. (00:19:23) In India, whether you see it culturally or philosophically, sometimes I see that fasting is a way to cultivate discipline. (00:19:33) If I put it in simple terms or explain it to the viewers, (00:19:39) who are unfamiliar with India. (00:19:42) It is a powerful tool to bring both the inner and outer self into balance. (00:19:52) It shapes life in profound ways. (00:19:55) When you fast, you may have noticed, as you said, you've been fasting on water for two days. (00:20:03) Every single one of your senses (00:20:08) especially smell, touch, and taste, becomes highly sensitive. (00:20:16) You may even notice the subtle aroma of water itself, something you probably never noticed before when drinking it. (00:20:24) If someone walks past you carrying tea, you will catch its aroma just like you would with coffee. (00:20:31) A small flower you've seen before, you will see it again today. (00:20:36) but now you can perceive its details more vividly, your senses become extra sharp, highly aware and fully tuned in. (00:20:49) And their capability to observe and to respond multiplies and grows sharper. (00:21:02) I have personally often experienced this. (00:21:06) Another thing I've experienced is that fasting can greatly accelerate the thinking process and can give a fresh perspective. (00:21:19) You start thinking outside the box. (00:21:22) I don't know if everyone experiences this, but I certainly do. (00:21:27) Most people assume that fasting simply means giving up food or not eating. (00:21:37) But that's just the physical aspect of fasting. (00:21:41) If someone is forced to go without food due to hardship with an empty stomach, can we call that fasting? (00:21:50) Fasting is actually a scientific process. (00:21:53) Whenever I fast for an extended period, I prepare my body in advance. (00:21:58) For five to seven days before the fast, I follow various Ayurvedic practices and yoga practices. (00:22:05) along with other traditional cleansing methods, to internally reset my system. (00:22:12) Before actually beginning the fast, I make sure to drink a lot of water as much as possible. (00:22:21) So you could say that this detoxification process helps prepare my body in the best possible way. (00:22:28) And once I begin fasting, for me, it's an act of devotion. (00:22:33) For me, fasting is a form of self-discipline. (00:22:36) For me personally, even while I go about doing my daily activities during a fast, my mind remains deeply introspective and focused inward. (00:22:53) And that experience is profoundly transformative for me. (00:22:59) My practice of fasting didn't come from reading books, listening to sermons, or following a tradition just because my family happened to have observed it. (00:23:11) It came from my own personal experience. (00:23:15) During my school days, there was a movement inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's vision, his vision of cow protection. (00:23:26) The government had not enacted any laws at the time. (00:23:29) At the time, people across the country observed a one-day fast by gathering in public places in silent protests. (00:23:41) We were just kids, probably had just finished primary school. (00:23:47) Something inside me said I should be part of this. (00:23:51) And that was the first time in my life I experienced fasting. (00:23:56) At such a young age, I felt neither hunger nor any desire for food. (00:24:02) Instead, I felt a new awareness, a surge of energy within me. (00:24:09) So I became convinced that fasting is a science, far beyond just skipping meals. (00:24:17) It is something far greater than that. (00:24:20) Then gradually, (00:24:24) I refined my body and mind through various experiments. (00:24:30) Over time, it became a long and disciplined journey for me. (00:24:36) And one thing is certain, fasting never slows me down. (00:24:41) I work just as much as usual. (00:24:44) Sometimes I even work more. (00:24:46) And another fascinating thing I've noticed is that when I need to express my thoughts, (00:24:55) I'm amazed at where they come from and how they flow. (00:25:00) It's truly an incredible experience. (00:25:03) So you still do meetings with world leaders. (00:25:07) You still manage the affairs of India. (00:25:11) You still carry out your role as a leader on the world stage, all fasted, and sometimes nine days. (00:25:19) Well, this practice has a long historical context. (00:25:22) I hope it may be interesting for those listening. (00:25:25) There is an ancient tradition in India called shaturmas. (00:25:29) During the monsoon season, we know that the digestion tends to slow down. (00:25:35) And so in this season, many people in India follow the practice of eating only a single meal within 24 hours. (00:25:44) For me, this starts around mid-June and goes on until after Diwali around November. (00:25:53) For about four to four and a half months, I follow this tradition of eating only once in 24 hours. (00:26:04) Then comes the Navratri festival in India, which usually falls in September or October. (00:26:12) During this time, the whole country celebrates Durga Puja, a festival of strength, devotion and spiritual discipline. (00:26:19) This lasts for nine days. (00:26:22) During this time, I completely abstain from food and only drink hot water. (00:26:27) Although drinking hot water has always been a part of my daily routine, my past lifestyle was such that I naturally developed this habit over time. (00:26:38) Then, in March or April, another Navratri occurs, called Chaitra Navratri. (00:26:47) This year, it will likely begin around March 31st. (00:26:53) During this nine-day fast, I eat only one specific fruit once a day. (00:27:00) So for those nine days, if let's say I choose papaya, then for all nine days, I won't touch anything else, just papaya. (00:27:10) That too, I eat only once a day. (00:27:13) That's how I follow my nine-day fasting routine. (00:27:16) So there are numerous fasts I keep throughout the year. (00:27:20) And this has become a deeply ingrained tradition in my life. (00:27:25) Perhaps I can say that I've been following these practices for 50 to 55 years. (00:27:30) Has there been times when you met with a world leader and completely fasted? (00:27:35) And maybe what do they think about that? (00:27:37) What do they think about your ability to do that kind of thing? (00:27:40) And you're right, I should mention that from even my two days, (00:27:46) my ability to be present, my ability to sense everything, sharply focus on this experience is elevated. (00:27:54) But yes, is there stories with a world leader that maybe jumped to mind when you were fasted? (00:28:00) Well, most of the time, I don't even let people know about it. (00:28:06) It's my personal matter. (00:28:09) So I never publicized it, but people gradually started finding out. (00:28:14) It became known only after I became Chief Minister and Prime Minister. (00:28:18) Otherwise, it was purely personal. (00:28:23) But now that it's out in the open, I don't mind sharing. (00:28:26) If someone asks, I tell them so it might be useful to them. (00:28:30) Because it's not my personal property, it's my experience. (00:28:33) And if that can help someone, why not share it? (00:28:35) After all, my life has always been devoted to the well-being of others. (00:28:39) For example, after I became Prime Minister, I had a bilateral meeting. (00:28:45) at the White House with President Obama. (00:28:49) And he had also arranged a formal dinner. (00:28:52) Then as discussions between the two governments progressed, someone said, please join us for dinner. (00:28:58) To which another replied, but the Prime Minister doesn't eat. (00:29:03) This left them a bit concerned. (00:29:07) How do you host the leader of such a major nation at the White House without serving food? (00:29:13) When we sat down, they brought me a glass of hot water. (00:29:17) I turned to President Obama and jokingly said, Look, my dinner has arrived, as I placed the glass in front of me. (00:29:28) Later, when I visited again, he still remembered. (00:29:32) He smiled and said, Last time you were fasting. (00:29:36) This time we're having lunch. (00:29:38) Since you're not fasting, you'll have to eat twice as much. (00:29:43) Let's go to the beginning. (00:29:45) You rose from humble beginnings to lead the world's largest democracy. (00:29:49) So I think there's a lot of people for whom this is truly inspiring. (00:29:54) Your family was of very modest means and you grew up in a one-room house with a mud floor, your whole family living there. (00:30:05) Tell me about your childhood. (00:30:06) How did those humble beginnings shape your outlook on life? (00:30:12) My birthplace is in Gujarat, specifically in North Gujarat, in Mehsana district, in a small town called Wadnagar. (00:30:26) Historically, this town holds great significance, and so Wadnagar is where I was born and completed my early education. (00:30:36) Looking at the world, as I understand it today, (00:30:44) I can reflect on my childhood and the unique environment I grew up in. (00:30:54) My village had certain fascinating aspects, some of which are quite rare, even globally. (00:31:06) When I was in school, (00:31:09) There was an elder in our village who would regularly tell students, Listen, kids, wherever you go, if you find a carved stone, or you find a stone with inscriptions on it, or anything with engravings, bring it and place it in this corner of the school. (00:31:35) Over time, my curiosity grew, and I started to understand. (00:31:38) I realized that... (00:31:39) My village had a rich and ancient history. (00:31:43) Discussions at school often revealed more fascinating details about its past. (00:31:50) Later, I learned that China even made a film about it. (00:31:54) I had read in a newspaper about a film that mentioned the Chinese philosopher Huen Tsang, who had spent a considerable amount of time in my village, having arrived there many centuries ago. (00:32:08) Back then, it was a major center for Buddhist learning. (00:32:12) That's how I first learned about it. (00:32:16) And perhaps around the 1400s, it was a prominent Buddhist educational hub. (00:32:27) There was a victory monument from the 12th century, a temple from the 17th century. (00:32:36) And in the 16th century, two sisters, Tana and Riri, who were renowned musicians. (00:32:46) As I uncovered these history traces, I grasped the depth of our heritage. (00:32:51) So when I became chief minister, I initiated large-scale excavation projects. (00:32:58) The findings from these very projects confirmed that thousands of Buddhist monks (00:33:07) had at one time studied there. (00:33:12) It was a place where Buddhist, Jain and Hindu traditions coexisted harmoniously. (00:33:20) And for us, history wasn't just confined to books. (00:33:28) Every stone spoke, every wall had a story to tell. (00:33:34) And so (00:33:35) When we began the large-scale excavation work, we uncovered findings that hold immense historical significance. (00:33:45) So far, they have discovered evidence dating back 2,800 years, proving that this city has remained unbroken and eternal for all those 2,800 years. (00:34:02) They have discovered (00:34:03) solid proof of how its development unfolded over these centuries. (00:34:08) Now, an international-level museum has been established there, open to visitors, especially for archaeology students. (00:34:19) It has become a major area of study. (00:34:21) So, the place where I was born holds its own unique historical significance. (00:34:28) I see it as my good fortune. (00:34:30) Some things in life unfold beyond our understanding, (00:34:33) Kashi became my realm of duty. (00:34:36) Now, Kashi is also eternal. (00:34:38) Kashi, also known as Banaras or Varanasi, is an eternal city that has remained vibrant and alive for centuries. (00:34:50) Perhaps it was some divine design that led a boy born in Varnagar to eventually make Kashi his realm of duty, living in the embrace of Mother Ganga. (00:35:04) When I think about my family, my father, my mother, my siblings, my uncles, aunts, grandparents, we all grew up together in a small house. (00:35:18) The place we lived was likely even smaller than where we are sitting now. (00:35:24) There was no window, just a small door. (00:35:28) That's where I was born, that's where I grew up. (00:35:34) Now, when people talk about poverty, it's natural to discuss it in the context of public life. (00:35:41) And by those standards, my early life was spent in extreme poverty, but we never really felt the burden of poverty. (00:35:55) You see, someone who is used to wearing fine shoes (00:36:00) will feel their absence when they don't have them. (00:36:04) But for us, we had never worn shoes in our lives. (00:36:08) So how would we even know that wearing shoes was a big deal? (00:36:13) We weren't in a position to compare. (00:36:16) That's just how we lived. (00:36:18) Our mother worked incredibly hard. (00:36:22) My father, too. (00:36:25) He was extremely hardworking, and he was also extremely disciplined. (00:36:30) Every morning, around 4 or 4.30 A.m., he would leave the house, walk long distances, visit several temples, and then reach his shop. (00:36:44) He wore traditional leather shoes, handmade in the village. (00:36:51) The shoes were very tough and sturdy, making a distinct talk, talk, talk sound when he walked. (00:36:58) People in the village used to say that they could tell the time just by hearing his footsteps. (00:37:05) Oh, yes, they would say. (00:37:08) Mr. (00:37:09) Damodar is on his way. (00:37:12) Such was his discipline. (00:37:14) He worked tirelessly late into the night. (00:37:18) Our mother, too, ensured that we never felt the struggles of our circumstances. (00:37:26) But despite everything, these challenging circumstances of living in scarcity never left a mark on our minds. (00:37:38) I remember in school, the idea of wearing shoes never even crossed my mind. (00:37:45) One day, while I was on my way to school, I ran into my uncle on the way. (00:37:51) He saw me and was surprised. (00:37:53) Hey, (00:37:55) You go to school like this, without shoes? (00:37:58) So at that time, he bought me a pair of canvas shoes and made me wear them. (00:38:05) Back then, they must have cost around 10 or 12 rupees. (00:38:11) But here's the thing. (00:38:15) They were white canvas shoes, and they would quickly get stained. (00:38:20) So what did I do? (00:38:23) In the evening, (00:38:25) After school was over, I would stay back for a while. (00:38:30) I would go from classroom to classroom, collecting leftover pieces of chalk that the teachers had discarded. (00:38:40) I would take the pieces of chalk home, soak them in water, mix them into a paste, and polish my canvas shoes with it, making them bright white again. (00:38:54) For me, those shoes were a treasured possession, a symbol of great wealth. (00:39:00) And I don't exactly know why, but from childhood, our mother was extremely particular about cleanliness. (00:39:09) Perhaps that's where we inherited that habit too. (00:39:13) Not sure how I picked up the habit of dressing neatly, but it's been there since childhood. (00:39:18) Whatever I wore, I made sure it looked proper. (00:39:22) Back then, as you can imagine, we didn't have any arrangements for ironing clothes. (00:39:28) So instead, I would heat up water in a copper pot, hold it with tongs, and press my clothes myself. (00:39:38) Then I'd head off to school. (00:39:41) That's how I lived, and I found joy in it. (00:39:44) We never thought about being poor or judged about how others lived or what their struggles were. (00:39:50) We lived carefree. (00:39:52) enjoying whatever little we had, and kept working hard. (00:39:57) Never once did we complain about these things. (00:39:59) And all the (00:40:00) These aspects of my life, whether you call it fortune or misfortune, unfolded in such a way in politics that they started coming to light. (00:40:12) Because when I was taking my oath as chief minister, TV reporters went to my village, questioned my childhood friends, went to capture videos of my home. (00:40:23) That's when people started asking, who is this and what background he is coming from? (00:40:28) Before that, very few knew much about my life. (00:40:31) That's just how my journey has been. (00:40:35) My mother possessed an innate spirit of caring for others' well-being. (00:40:40) It was woven into the very fabric of her being. (00:40:44) She possessed knowledge of traditional remedies and healing practices, and would treat children with these home remedies. (00:40:54) Every morning before sunrise, around 5 o'clock, she would start treating them. (00:41:00) So all the children and their parents would gather at our home, little children crying, and we had to wake up early because of it. (00:41:08) Meanwhile, my mother would continue treating them with care. (00:41:12) This spirit of service, in a way, was nurtured through these experiences. (00:41:16) A sense of empathy for society, the desire to do good for others, (00:41:21) These values were instilled in me from my family. (00:41:29) I believe that my life has been shaped by my mother, my father, my teachers, and the environment I grew up in. (00:41:38) There's a lot of young people listening to this that are truly inspired by your story, from those humble beginnings to (00:41:48) the leader of the biggest democracy in the world. (00:41:53) What can you tell to those young folks who are struggling, who are lost in the world, who are trying to find their way? (00:42:02) What advice could you give them? (00:42:05) I want to tell all the young people the following. (00:42:10) No matter how dark the night may seem, (00:42:19) It is still just night and morning is bound to come. (00:42:28) That's why we need patience and self-confidence. (00:42:36) Yes, the challenges are real, but I am not defined by my circumstances. (00:42:42) I am here for a purpose sent by a higher power. (00:42:46) And I am not alone. (00:42:48) The one who sent me is always with me. (00:42:51) This unwavering faith should always remain within us. (00:42:55) Difficulties are a test of endurance. (00:42:58) They are not meant to defeat me. (00:43:01) Hardships exist to make me stronger, helping me grow and improve, not to leave me feeling hopeless or discouraged. (00:43:11) Personally, I see every crisis, every challenge. (00:43:15) as an opportunity. (00:43:17) So to all young people, I say, have patience. (00:43:20) There are no shortcuts in life. (00:43:22) At our railway stations, there hangs a sign. (00:43:27) For those who habitually cross the tracks instead of using the bridge, it reads, Shortcut will cut you short. (00:43:36) I would tell young people the same, Shortcut will cut you short. (00:43:40) There are no shortcuts in life. (00:43:42) Patience and perseverance are essential. (00:43:46) Whatever responsibility we are given, we must pour our heart into it. (00:43:51) We should live it with passion, enjoy the journey, and find fulfillment in it. (00:43:57) I truly believe that if this mindset is cultivated, it transforms life. (00:44:02) Similarly, abundance alone is not enough there is no guarantee of success. (00:44:08) Even a wealthy person who indulges in comfort and idleness will eventually wither away. (00:44:14) Instead, he must decide, yes, I may have resources around me, but I must use my abilities to grow them further. (00:44:23) I must contribute more to society with my own strength. (00:44:28) Even if I am in a good position, there is still so much more to do. (00:44:32) Even if I am not in a good position, there is still so much work to do. (00:44:36) That's what I believe. (00:44:38) I have also noticed that some people tend to think, I've learned enough, that's it. (00:44:45) But one should never let the student within them die. (00:44:50) Learning should never stop. (00:44:53) I believe that as long as I am alive, I must have a purpose. (00:45:00) Perhaps I exist to keep learning, to keep growing. (00:45:07) Now, my mother tongue is Gujarati, and we were not very familiar with the Hindi language, nor did we know how to speak it eloquently or communicate effectively. (00:45:27) But as a child, I used to sit at my father's tea shop, and at that young age, I got the chance to meet so many people. (00:45:36) And every time I learned something from them, I observed their ways of speaking, their expressions. (00:45:43) These things taught me a lot. (00:45:45) Even though I wasn't in a position to apply it, then I thought, if I ever get the chance, why not? (00:45:51) Why shouldn't I present myself well? (00:45:54) So I believe the desire to learn should always remain alive. (00:45:59) And another thing I've observed is that most people (00:46:09) dream about achieving something or becoming someone. (00:46:14) They set big targets. (00:46:17) And when they fall short, they feel disappointed. (00:46:24) That's why whenever I get a chance to talk to my friends, I tell them, instead of dreaming about getting and becoming, dream of doing something. (00:46:39) If you focus on doing something, and let's say your goal is to reach 10, but you make it to 8, you won't feel discouraged. (00:46:47) You'll still work toward 10 with determination. (00:46:50) But if your dream is only to become something and it doesn't happen, even your achievements may feel like a burden. (00:46:58) That's why we must adjust our mindset in life. (00:47:01) Instead of thinking about what I got or didn't get, the mindset should be, (00:47:07) What can I give? (00:47:10) Because true contentment doesn't bloom on its own. (00:47:17) It grows from the depth of what you give. (00:47:21) And I should say that this young kid, one of the things I've dreamed of doing is to do this very thing to talk to you today. (00:47:29) So this is very surreal. (00:47:32) At 17, another fascinating part of your life (00:47:35) You left home and spent two years roaming in the Himalayas, searching for purpose, for deeper truth, for God. (00:47:44) So not much is known about this period of your life. (00:47:46) You lived a nomadic, minimalist existence, very much like a yogi, often sleeping without a roof over your head. (00:47:56) What are some memorable spiritual moments, rituals, experiences from that time? (00:48:04) It seems like you've put in a lot of effort. (00:48:10) Look, I... (00:48:14) Look, I don't usually talk much about this, but I can share a few external aspects of it. (00:48:25) I grew up in a very small town. (00:48:30) Our life was all about being part of a community. (00:48:35) We lived among people surrounded by them. (00:48:38) That was just how life was. (00:48:41) There was a library in the village, and I used to go there often to read books. (00:48:48) Whenever I read something from the books, I often found myself feeling inspired, thinking, Why shouldn't I shape my own life like that? (00:48:59) That desire was always there. (00:49:01) When I used to read about Swami Vivekananda or read about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, I would often wonder, how did they live? (00:49:09) How did they build such remarkable lives? (00:49:12) And for that, I constantly experimented on myself. (00:49:18) Most of my experiments were physical in nature, testing my body's limits. (00:49:25) For example, where I lived, winters weren't too harsh. (00:49:29) But December nights could get quite cold. (00:49:33) But still, at night, the cold would bite. (00:49:44) It was natural. (00:49:46) So sometimes, I would decide to sleep outside in the open with nothing to cover myself, just to see. (00:49:58) how my body endures the cold. (00:50:00) So from a very young age, I would often experiment with my body, and this became a regular thing for me. (00:50:09) For me, going to the library, reading extensively, visiting the pond, washing the family's clothes, and swimming became part of my routine. (00:50:24) Swimming was my main physical activity. (00:50:28) All of these things were deeply connected to my life. (00:50:33) Later, as I read Vivekananda, I became even more drawn to his teachings. (00:50:42) One time I read about Swami Vivekananda. (00:50:46) His mother was ill, so he went to Sri Ramakrishna Paramahans for guidance. (00:50:56) He would argue with him, debate with him. (00:51:01) In his early days, he would often argue with him, questioning everything intellectually. (00:51:15) He said, My mother is sick. (00:51:18) If I were earning, I could take better care of her. (00:51:22) Sri Ramakrishna said, Don't bother me with all this. (00:51:26) Go to Goddess Kali. (00:51:29) She is there. (00:51:31) Ask her for what you need. (00:51:36) And so, Swami Vivekananda went and sat before Goddess Kali's idol for hours, and he immersed himself into deep meditation. (00:51:48) After a few hours, when he returned, Ramakrishna asked him, So did you request the Goddess? (00:51:56) Swami Vivekananda replied, No, I didn't. (00:51:58) Ramakrishna said, Go again tomorrow. (00:52:01) She will fulfill your request. (00:52:03) Ask her. (00:52:04) He went the next day and then again the day after. (00:52:08) But each time, he found himself unable to ask for anything. (00:52:20) His mother was unwell and he needed help. (00:52:24) But when he sat before Goddess Kali, he was completely absorbed in her presence, and yet he could not bring himself to ask for anything. (00:52:34) Each time he returned empty-handed, he told Sri Ramakrishna, I came back empty-handed. (00:52:40) I didn't ask for anything. (00:52:43) To stand before the Divine Goddess and not be able to ask for anything. (00:52:49) That moment, that experience, lit a flame inside him. (00:52:55) There was a spark in his life and from that came the spirit of giving. (00:53:06) I believe that perhaps that small incident in Vivekanand's life left an impression on me too. (00:53:17) The thought of what can I give to the world? (00:53:23) Maybe true contentment comes from giving. (00:53:27) If my heart is only filled with the hunger to receive, that hunger will never end. (00:53:34) And within that realization came the idea of Shiva and living being as one. (00:53:42) If you wish to serve Shiva, serve all living beings. (00:53:46) Recognize the unity between the divine and the living. (00:53:50) True non-duality is experienced through this realization. (00:53:55) I would often lose myself in such thoughts, my mind naturally drifting in that direction. (00:54:03) I remember an incident. (00:54:06) In the neighborhood where we lived, just outside, there was a Lord Shiva temple. (00:54:16) One day a saint came to stay there. (00:54:20) so that saint used to engage in meditation and spiritual practices. (00:54:26) I started feeling drawn to him, thinking perhaps he possessed some spiritual energy. (00:54:32) I had only read about Swami Vivekananda, never seen such figures in real life. (00:54:39) During Navratri, he was fasting, and he had placed sorghum grains on his hand, a common tradition in our culture. (00:54:49) In a way, sprouting seeds on your palms and sleeping like that for 9 or 10 days. (00:54:55) It was a kind of spiritual vow, and this saint was observing it. (00:54:59) During those same days, my maternal uncle's family was preparing for my aunt's wedding. (00:55:06) Everyone from my home was going to my uncle's house for the wedding. (00:55:12) Now, for any child, visiting an uncle's house is always exciting. (00:55:16) But I told my family, I'm not going. (00:55:19) I'll stay here and I will take care of Swamiji. (00:55:22) Since he has his grains on his hand, he can't eat or drink, so I will take care of him. (00:55:27) So as a child, I chose not to attend the wedding. (00:55:30) I stayed back, serving Swamiji instead. (00:55:34) Somehow my mind was naturally drawn in that direction. (00:55:38) At times. (00:55:40) Whenever soldiers from my village came home during their holidays, they would walk around in their uniforms with such pride. (00:55:47) I would run behind them all day thinking, look at them, they are serving the nation. (00:55:53) So there was always a strong feeling inside me to do something meaningful. (00:55:59) I didn't fully understand what it would be, and I didn't have a roadmap. (00:56:05) There was a hunger within me. (00:56:07) a deep longing to understand life, to explore its meaning. (00:56:11) So I just set out and began the journey. (00:56:16) During my time in the mission, I came across remarkable saints. (00:56:21) They showered me with love and blessings. (00:56:24) Among them, I formed a special bond with Swami Atmasthanand Ji. (00:56:27) He lived for nearly 100 years, a life full of wisdom and service. (00:56:31) In his final years, (00:56:34) I deeply wished for him to stay with me at the Prime Minister's residence, but his responsibilities were vast and he couldn't come. (00:56:41) However, back when I was Chief Minister, he used to visit and I was fortunate to receive his blessings and guidance. (00:56:48) He once looked at me and said, Why have you come here? (00:56:56) You have a greater purpose to fulfill. (00:57:00) Is your priority your own well-being? (00:57:03) Or is it the welfare of society? (00:57:06) Whatever Swami Vivekananda said was for the betterment of society. (00:57:11) He said, you are meant to serve others. (00:57:14) So I remember feeling a bit disheartened at that moment. (00:57:21) I had come seeking guidance, but all I got were words. (00:57:25) So I continued on my journey, wandering from place to place. (00:57:29) I spent time in the Himalayas, embracing the solitude of the mountains. (00:57:34) I met many remarkable individuals along the way. (00:57:38) Some were great ascetics, people who had renounced everything. (00:57:43) But still, my mind remained restless. (00:57:46) Perhaps it was my age of curiosity, of wanting to learn, to understand. (00:57:53) It was a new experience. (00:57:55) A world shaped by the mountains, by ice, by the towering snow-covered peaks. (00:58:02) But all of this played a huge role in shaping me. (00:58:06) It strengthened me from within and enabled me to discover my inner power. (00:58:12) Practicing meditation, waking up in the sacred pre-dawn hours, bathing in the cold, serving people with devotion, and naturally tending to elderly saints, (00:58:23) became a seamless part of who I was. (00:58:26) Once a natural calamity struck the region, and I immediately devoted myself to helping the villagers. (00:58:34) So these were the saints and spiritual masters with whom I stayed from time to time. (00:58:41) I never remained in one place for long. (00:58:43) I kept moving, constantly wandering. (00:58:47) That was the kind of life I lived. (00:58:50) And for people who don't know, (00:58:52) that moment in the Ramakrishna Mission Ashram with the monks, Swami Admashwananda, as you mentioned, he helped steer you towards a life of service. (00:59:05) So there's another possible life that could have been where you take sannyasa, you give away everything, and you're a monk. (00:59:14) So we could have had a monk, Narendra Modi, a prime minister, Narendra Modi, and he helped you take the decision (00:59:22) to live a life of service at every scale. (00:59:26) From the outside, people may call me a leader. (00:59:29) Some call me the Prime Minister. (00:59:32) Others call me the Chief Minister, and that's how they see me from their perspective. (00:59:39) But deep within, there is only an unwavering spiritual commitment. (00:59:45) The Modi, who lovingly helped his mother care for children during their treatments, (00:59:51) tending to them with patience and compassion. (00:59:56) The Modi who wandered through the Himalayas and the Modi who now works from this seat of responsibility, they are all tied together by the same inner consistency. (01:00:10) Every action is dedicated to serving others. (01:00:15) People may see a stark difference between a saint and a leader, (01:00:19) But to me, there is no real difference. (01:00:22) Yes, the attire changes, the way of life changes, the words spoken throughout the day shift, and the nature of work evolves. (01:00:31) But the core of my being remains unchanged, carrying out every responsibility with the same sense of calm, focus, and dedication. (01:00:38) Another part of your life, of who you are, is you've spoken your whole life about putting your nation of India above all else. (01:00:47) When you were eight, you joined the RSS, which espouses the idea of Hindu nationalism. (01:00:53) Can you tell me about RSS and what impact they had on who you are and the development of your political ideas? (01:01:03) Ever since childhood, I always had the habit of staying engaged in something or the other. (01:01:11) I remember there was a man named Makoshi. (01:01:14) I don't quite recall his full name. (01:01:16) I think he was part of the service group, Makoshi Soni or something like that. (01:01:22) He used to carry a small drum-like instrument called a tambourine with him, and he used to sing patriotic songs in his deep, powerful voice. (01:01:32) Whenever he came to our village, he would hold programs in different places. (01:01:37) I would run after him like a crazy fan just to listen to his songs. (01:01:42) I would spend entire nights listening to their patriotic songs. (01:01:45) I enjoyed it. (01:01:46) I don't even know why, but I just did. (01:01:48) In our village, there was a branch of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sang, where we played sports and sang patriotic songs. (01:01:56) Something about those songs touched me deeply. (01:01:58) They stirred something inside me, and that's how I eventually became part of the RSS. (01:02:05) One of the core values that were instilled in us at RSS was (01:02:11) Whatever you do, do it with a purpose. (01:02:13) Even while studying, study with the goal of learning enough to contribute to the nation. (01:02:19) Even when you exercise, do it with the purpose of strengthening your body to serve the nation. (01:02:24) This is what we were taught. (01:02:26) And today, RSS is a massive organization. (01:02:30) It is now nearing its 100th anniversary. (01:02:34) Such a massive volunteer organization likely doesn't (01:02:39) exist anywhere else in the world. (01:02:43) Millions of people are connected to it, but understanding RSS is not that simple. (01:02:52) One must make an effort to truly grasp the nature of its work. (01:02:57) More than anything, the RSS provides you with a clear direction, (01:03:06) toward what can truly be called a purpose in life. (01:03:10) Secondly, the nation is everything, and serving the people is akin to serving God. (01:03:16) This is what has been said since the Vedic era, what our sages have said, what Vivekanand said, and what the RSS echoes. (01:03:25) A volunteer is told that the inspiration he gains from RSS (01:03:30) It's not just about attending the one-hour session or wearing the uniform. (01:03:34) What matters is what you do for society. (01:03:37) And today, inspired by that spirit, many initiatives are thriving. (01:03:41) Like, some volunteers established an organization called Seva Bharti. (01:03:46) This organization serves the slums and settlements where the poorest people live, which they call service communities. (01:03:55) To my knowledge, they run approximately (01:04:00) 125,000 service projects without any government assistance, solely through community support. (01:04:08) They spend time there, teach the children, care for their health, instill good values, and work towards improving cleanliness in these communities. (01:04:20) Running 125,000 social service projects is no small feat. (01:04:25) Similarly, (01:04:27) Some volunteers, nurtured by RSS, are dedicated to serving tribal communities through Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram. (01:04:35) They live among the tribal people working for their welfare. (01:04:39) They have established over 70,001 teacher schools in remote tribal regions. (01:04:45) There are also some people in America who show their support for this cause and contribute donations of about $10 or $15. (01:04:55) And they say, (01:04:56) Skip a Coca-Cola this month, don't drink Coca-Cola, and donate that money to an one-teacher school instead. (01:05:04) Now, imagine 70,000 one-teacher schools dedicated to educating tribal children. (01:05:10) Some volunteers have founded Vidya Bharati to revolutionize education. (01:05:16) Today, they run nearly 25,000 schools, educating around 3 million students. (01:05:23) And I believe that millions of students have benefited from this initiative, receiving quality education at an incredibly low cost. (01:05:33) Alongside education, values are prioritized and students remain grounded, learning skills so they don't become a burden on society. (01:05:42) That is, in every aspect of life, whether it's women, youth, or even laborers, the RSS has played a role. (01:05:51) In terms of membership size, if I may say so, we have the Indian Labor Union. (01:05:57) It has around 50,000 unions with millions of members across the country. (01:06:06) Perhaps in terms of scale, there is no bigger labor union in the world. (01:06:10) But what's interesting is the approach they take. (01:06:16) Historically, (01:06:19) Leftist ideologies have fueled labor movements worldwide. (01:06:23) And what has been their slogan? (01:06:27) Workers of the world, unite. (01:06:29) The message was clear, unite first, and then we'll deal with everything else. (01:06:35) But what do the labor unions run by RSS-trained volunteers believe in? (01:06:40) They say, Workers unite the world. (01:06:47) Others say, (01:06:50) Workers of the world unite, and we say, workers unite the world. (01:06:56) It may seem like just a small shift in words, but it represents a huge ideological transformation. (01:07:03) The volunteers who come from the RSS follow their own interests, nature, and inclination, and in doing so, they strengthen and promote these kinds of activities. (01:07:13) When you observe these initiatives, you'll see how (01:07:18) Over the past 100 years, the RSS has dedicated itself with the discipline and devotion of a seeker, staying away from the glare of mainstream attention. (01:07:34) I feel blessed to gain life's values from such a sacred organization. (01:07:41) Through the RSS, I found a life of purpose. (01:07:44) Then I was fortunate to spend (01:07:48) sometime among the saints, which gave me a strong spiritual foundation. (01:07:54) I found discipline and a life of purpose, and through the guidance of saints, I gained spiritual grounding. (01:08:02) Swami Atmasthananda and others like him have held my hand throughout my journey, constantly guiding me at every step. (01:08:09) The teachings of Ramakrishna Mission, Swami Vivekananda, (01:08:15) and the service-driven philosophy of the RSS have played a crucial role in shaping me. (01:08:22) But they've also helped push the idea of India. (01:08:27) What is the idea that unifies India? (01:08:32) What is India as a nation? (01:08:34) What is the foundational idea that unites all of these disparate worlds and communities and cultures? (01:08:43) What would it be? (01:08:45) Look, India is a cultural identity. (01:08:55) It is a civilization that dates back thousands of years. (01:09:02) Consider the vastness of India, over 100 languages, thousands of dialects. (01:09:13) India is so diverse that we have a saying that every 20 miles the language changes. (01:09:20) Customs change, cuisine changes, even clothing styles ship from region to region, from the south to the north. (01:09:30) You will see immense diversity across the country. (01:09:33) But if you dig a little deeper, you will find a common thread. (01:09:41) For example, the stories of Lord Ram can be heard everywhere in India. (01:09:45) His name echoes in every corner of the country. (01:09:48) But if you look closely, from Tamil Nadu to Jammu and Kashmir, you will always find people whose names include Ram in some form. (01:10:03) In Gujarat, he might be called Ram Bhai. (01:10:05) In Tamil Nadu, Ramachandra, and in Maharashtra, (01:10:10) Ram Bhau. (01:10:12) This unique cultural bond is what unites India as one civilization. (01:10:18) Take something as simple as bathing in water. (01:10:27) We have a ritual where all the rivers of India are remembered. (01:10:33) They chant, I am bathing with the waters of all these rivers, Ganga, (01:10:39) Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu, Kaveri. (01:10:48) It's a sentiment that unites a nation. (01:10:51) And we have a long tradition of making such resolutions at the beginning of important events and rituals. (01:10:59) And the resolution itself can present a historical record. (01:11:04) And in so doing, (01:11:06) serve as a way of collecting and preserving historical data. (01:11:09) It has been an incredibly unique system, guided meticulously by our scriptures. (01:11:14) When someone makes a resolution, performs a puja, or even during weddings, we start by invoking the entire universe, beginning with Jambudweep, Bharat Khand, Aryavrat, and gradually narrow it down to the village, then mentioning the specific family, and finally, we invoke the family deity. (01:11:35) This practice is still alive, happening daily in every corner of India. (01:11:41) But sadly, the Western and global models began viewing nations only as administrative systems. (01:11:48) India, however, has had a variety of administrative systems throughout history. (01:11:53) Many systems were fragmented, scattered, and varied across regions. (01:11:56) Kings and rulers were numerous, but India's unity lay in cultural bonds, (01:12:03) Pilgrimage traditions played a key role in preserving this unity. (01:12:07) Shankaracharya established the four pilgrimage sites. (01:12:10) Even today, millions of people travel from one place to another for pilgrimage. (01:12:15) In Kashi, you'll find people who bring water from Rameshwaram to Kashi and take water from Kashi to Rameshwaram. (01:12:23) Even if you look at our Hindu calendar, you'll find so many things across the country that you can't even imagine. (01:12:32) If we look at the historical foundation of modern India, along with yourself, Mahatma Gandhi is one of the most important humans to have ever lived, but certainly one of the most important humans to the history of India. (01:12:51) What do you admire about Mahatma Gandhi? (01:13:00) As I had mentioned before, (01:13:02) I was born in Gujarat, and Gujarati is my mother tongue. (01:13:08) Mahatma Gandhi was also born in Gujarat. (01:13:11) His native language was Gujarati, too. (01:13:15) He pursued a career as an attorney and lived overseas for several years. (01:13:22) He had plenty of great opportunities, but the deep sense of duty within him (01:13:30) along with the values instilled by his family, led him to give up all comforts and devote his life to serving the people of India. (01:13:39) He joined the struggle for India's independence, and to this day, he continues to deeply influence the life of every Indian in some way. (01:13:57) Mahatma Gandhi tried to (01:14:00) live by his principles and practiced what he preached. (01:14:04) For example, he strongly advocated for cleanliness and practiced it himself, and he made it a point to discuss cleanliness wherever he went. (01:14:14) Another key factor to consider is India's fight for independence. (01:14:20) India was ruled by the Mughals, the British, and several other foreign powers. (01:14:30) Despite being bound by the shackles of colonial rule for centuries, the flame of independence burned brightly. (01:14:41) In every corner and nook of India, never fading, always fueling the desire for freedom, millions of people sacrificed their lives so the light of freedom could shine on India. (01:14:55) They laid down their lives for freedom, sacrificing their youth behind prison walls. (01:15:01) Mahatma Gandhi also fought for India's independence, but in his own way. (01:15:06) Indeed, the other freedom fighters were brave warriors and devoted sons of Mother India. (01:15:13) They came, they fought, and their martyrdom immortalized them. (01:15:17) And they did indeed have a lasting impact. (01:15:20) But it was Mahatma Gandhi who awakened the nation, (01:15:24) leading a mass movement fueled by truth. (01:15:27) And he wove even a sweeper into the very fabric of the freedom struggle. (01:15:32) He told teachers their work was part of the freedom struggle. (01:15:35) He told the people spinning thread and weaving clothes they were freedom fighters. (01:15:40) He told those tending to lepers that their service was a step toward India's freedom. (01:15:45) He viewed every task as a vital thread in the fabric of India's independence movement. (01:15:50) And this transformed India's common man into a soldier in the quest for freedom. (01:15:56) Gandhi forged a mass movement so immense that the British could never fully grasp it. (01:16:02) The British never imagined that a pinch of salt from the Dandi March could spark a massive revolution, and he made it happen. (01:16:13) And his life, presence, style, mannerisms, (01:16:18) all left a profound impact. (01:16:21) And I have seen many of his stories evolve into timeless legends. (01:16:29) I recall an incident from a roundtable conference. (01:16:34) Yeah, I believe he was attending a roundtable conference. (01:16:41) He was supposed to meet King George at the Buckingham Palace, draped in his breechcloth. (01:16:48) Mahatma Gandhi made his way to the palace. (01:16:52) Many people were amazed that he had showed up in that attire to meet the king. (01:17:00) Gandhi remarked he didn't need to wear a lot of clothes. (01:17:03) He said, Your king is wearing enough clothes for the both of us. (01:17:09) This was the whimsical charm of his nature. (01:17:12) Mahatma Gandhi possessed many remarkable qualities. (01:17:16) His call for unity and recognition of the people's strength still resonates with me. (01:17:28) In everything I do, I strive to include the common man and to ensure the participation of as many as possible. (01:17:40) I don't believe in leaving everything to the government. (01:17:46) I am a firm believer in the power of social change. (01:17:51) So he was probably one of the greatest leaders of the 20th century. (01:17:59) You are one of the greatest leaders of the 21st century. (01:18:05) Those 2 centuries are very different. (01:18:08) And you have been masterful (01:18:14) in the game, in the art of geopolitics. (01:18:19) So let me ask you, have found a balance. (01:18:22) So when negotiating on the world stage with super powerful nations, is it better to be loved or feared? (01:18:31) It seems like you are a master class of being loved by everybody, but everybody knows and feels the strength. (01:18:40) So finding that balance, can you speak to that balance? (01:18:45) First and foremost, I don't think this is a fair comparison. (01:18:53) Mahatma Gandhi wasn't just a 20th century leader. (01:19:02) His relevance transcends centuries. (01:19:05) Mahatma Gandhi's legacy will last for centuries to come, and he remains relevant to date. (01:19:14) As far as I am concerned, I have a responsibility to fulfill. (01:19:19) Yet, the weight of that responsibility pales in comparison to my country. (01:19:26) I am nowhere near as great as my country, and my strength lies not in my name, but in the backing of 1.4 billion Indians and thousands of years of timeless culture and heritage. (01:19:42) So wherever I go, I carry with me the essence of thousands of years of Vedic tradition, the timeless teachings of Swami Vivekananda, and the blessings, dreams, and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians.