Synopsis
In a recent podcast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared compelling stories from his humble upbringing, including a memorable incident involving his canvas shoes. He highlighted how his early experiences shaped his outlook on life, viewing challenges as opportunities rather than hardships.Key Takeaways
- PM Modi shared anecdotes from his childhood.
- Poverty was never seen as a burden.
- He creatively polished his canvas shoes using chalk.
- Reflected on the importance of gratitude in life.
- The podcast was described as a powerful conversation.
New Delhi, March 16 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a special podcast with Lex Fridman, recounted several anecdotes from his modest childhood and also shared an engaging story about his canvas shoes.
In a lengthy three-hour podcast with Lex Fridman, PM Modi articulated how the poverty he faced in his early years was never perceived as a hardship but instead acted as a driving force for his resilience.
Looking back on his upbringing, PM Modi reflected that he was raised in a humble environment but never felt its impact. He mentioned that even in the face of challenges, he was oblivious to a sense of lack.
“Our residence was likely smaller than the space we occupy now. There were no windows, just a small door. That’s where I was born and where I spent my childhood. When people talk about poverty, it’s common to frame it within the context of public life, and by that measure, my early years could be classified as living in extreme poverty, but we never truly felt its weight,” he shared with Fridman.
PM Modi also reminisced about a moment when his uncle gifted him white canvas shoes and how he cleverly used discarded chalk from school to maintain their shine.
“One day, I encountered my uncle on my way to school, and he was astonished to see me without shoes. He immediately bought me a pair of canvas shoes, which at the time cost around 10 or 12 rupees,” PM Modi recounted.
Further elaborating on his youthful efforts to keep his shoes clean, PM Modi explained, “However, these were white canvas shoes, and they got dirty quickly. So, after school, I would linger for a bit. I would go around classrooms, collecting leftover pieces of chalk that teachers had thrown away. I’d take those chalk remnants home, soak them in water, mix them into a paste, and polish my canvas shoes to restore their bright whiteness.
PM Modi emphasized that he embraced each stage of life with appreciation and never perceived poverty as a hardship.
Before the podcast was released this evening, Lex Fridman, a US-based podcaster and AI researcher, described his conversation with PM Modi as “one of the most impactful conversations” of his life.
