There are various ways to analyse the impact of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent podcast with Lex Fridman.
It was for the first time in almost a century, post Swami Vivekananda’s famous Chicago speech, that a leader who has such global name recognition and presence, as PM Modi, unabashedly articulated his own civilisational world view which is different from the Western construct.
Proud of RSS Background
It was for the first time that a Bharatiya leader at the level of Prime Minister, so unapologetically, and indeed proudly, proclaimed his grounding in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the largest voluntary, selfless movement in the world.
It was for the first time in living memory, perhaps, that one global leader – Donald Trump – shared the podcast of another global leader, far removed from his own cultural milieu, on his social media.
Russia-Ukraine Conflict
It was for the first time that an Indian leader, speaking on global affairs, invited immediate attention and comments from all the major global powers. And the issues he spoke on: Russia-Ukraine War, China, Pakistan are all hot button global issues. In fact, it is PM Modi’s formulation on Ukraine that no matter what the scale of global support (or not) for Ukraine – the solution will only be on the negotiating table – is what the world is finally also veering around to. As the Polish Deputy Foreign Minister affirmed in an event just recently, PM Modi has already played a sobering role in the Ukraine war by convincing Russia not to resort to use of tactical nukes.
Prabhu Ram Binds Bharat
The simple yet profound manner in which PM Modi explained what essentially binds Bharat – Prabhu Ram – is one that will resonate for decades. In this fractious polity where even the most innocuous of things become controversial, notice that no one has contested this formulation of ‘Essential India’.
Eloquent Remarks on Bharat
From the holiness of our rivers, to the commonality in our invocations, and from the timelessness of our traditions to the thread that Adi Shankara weaved across the four corners of our punya Bhoomi – no one has before put this so evocatively at the global stage.
Humble Origins
The simplicity with which PM narrated his humble origins – a reality faced by millions and millions of Indians of his generation without seeking sympathy or romanticising poverty – was a masterclass in mirroring the grit and determination of ordinary Indians who only seek opportunity to shine in life. That equal opportunity, without discrimination, was provided to PM Modi, first in RSS and later in BJP and see what he made of it!
Showing the Way
The decision-making process that PM Modi himself practices, and as he explained in the podcast, could in itself be subject matter of multiple case studies and books. Consider what he enunciated:
- Keep multiple sources of information channel
- Have an inquisitive mind to learn new things *Play devil’s advocate on ideas you may be inclined to
- Have experts near you who can brief you
- Soft trial the decision with those you trust
- Once convinced, go whole-hog on your decision
- Stand by your decision and your people, especially in failures
Now consider some of the most transformative changes that have taken place in the last decade or so. And benchmark them against this process and one begins to see why they have turned so successful. If we ever wondered as to how issues that had defied resolution for decades – like Article 370 – were so flawlessly handled, we now know the magic that went into it. But beyond the immediate impact which in itself is humungous – be it explaining to the global audience the concept of Upwaas or Chaturmas as Indian civilisational practices or seamlessly showcasing to the world the galactic scale of the logistics that go into making Indian democracy such a world good – the podcast will have a long-lasting historical value as well.
From Swayamsevak to Statesman
Highlights from PM Modi’s
podcast with Lex Fridman
- Bharat and global peace
“I was asked this question in every interview. I gave a very well-thought-out answer at the time. I said, “I won’t lay out my entire foreign policy in an interview, nor is it needed.” That said, Bharat will neither allow itself to be looked down upon, nor will it ever look up to anyone. Bharat will now see eye-to-eye with her counterparts. This was my belief in 2013, and it still lies at the heart of my foreign policy. However, to belittle someone or speak ill of others is neither part of my cultural values nor my traditions. Moreover, our culture upholds and advocates for the welfare of mankind. For centuries, we have envisioned the world as one big family. Our noble ancestors envisaged the welfare of the whole world and universe, and that’s why you must have noticed, the nature of our conversations as well as the ideas that I have presented on the global stage, which are rooted in respect and positivity”
- Early life and poverty
“We never really felt the burden of poverty. You see, someone who is used to wearing fine shoes will feel their absence when they don’t have them, but for us, we had never worn shoes in our lives. So how would we even know that wearing shoes was a big deal? We weren’t in a position to compare. That’s just how we lived”
- On Pakistan’s betrayal
“Every noble attempt at fostering peace was met with hostility and betrayal. We sincerely hope that wisdom prevails upon them and they choose the path of peace. I believe even the people of Pakistan long for peace”
- Criticism is the soul of democracy
“I have a strong belief that criticism is the soul of democracy. I want to tell all the young people the following. No matter how dark the night may seem, it is still just night, and morning is bound to come”
- On Gujarat Violence 2002
“One tragic incident in 2002 became a sparking point, leading some people towards violence. Yet, the judiciary thoroughly investigated the matter.
At that time, our political opponents were in power, and naturally they wanted all allegations against us to stick. Despite their relentless efforts, the judiciary analysed the situation meticulously twice and ultimately found us completely innocent.
Those who were truly responsible have faced justice from the courts. But after 2002, in 22 years, there hasn’t been a single major violence in Gujarat. Gujarat remains completely peaceful. Our approach has always been to avoid vote bank politics. We have shifted away from the politics of appeasement to the politics of aspiration. Because of this, anyone who wishes to contribute joins us willingly.
We’ve continuously strived to turn Gujarat into a well-developed state. And today, Gujarat is actively contributing toward building a developed Bharat as well”
- Not to play power games
“I entered politics not to play power games, but to serve. Rather than seeking power, I stay committed to doing and getting work done. I am more focused on productivity than power. I have always dedicated myself to serving the people. I have always devoted myself to bringing about a positive change
in their lives”
- On Global war
“I can sit with (Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin, and say that this is not the time for war And I can also tell (Ukraine) President (Volodymyr) Zelensky, in a friendly way, that brother, regardless of how many people stand with you in the world, there will never be a resolution on the battlefield. The resolution will only come when both Ukraine and Russia come to the negotiating table”
- On US President Donald Trump
“This time, he seems far more prepared than before. He has a clear roadmap in his mind, with well-defined steps, each one designed to lead him toward his goals”
- On Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
“I feel blessed to gain life’s values from such a sacred organisation. Through the RSS, I found a life of purpose. Then I was fortunate to spend some time among the saints, which gave me a strong spiritual foundation. I found discipline and a life of purpose. And through the guidance of saints, I gained spiritual grounding. Swami Atmasthananda and others like him have held my hand throughout my journey, constantly guiding me at every step.
The teachings of Ramakrishna Mission, Swami Vivekananda, and the service-driven philosophy of the RSS have played a crucial role in shaping me.”
- Inevitability of death
“You must let go of the fear of death. After all, death is inevitable and there’s no use worrying about when it will arrive. It will arrive when it’s meant to”
Historians often refer to what they call ‘primary sources’ to help understand an era better and why certain historical trends panned out the way they did. Can you understand India’s freedom movement without reading Gandhi? Can anyone explain what mindset was it that helped America race past every country in the world without reading and analysing the impact of “Wealth of Nations’ by Adam Smith?
Understanding Bharat & Its People
When the story of the 21st century is written young researchers will wonder what flipped so fundamentally in Bharat that a country and people colonised for 1,000 years, and which continued to flounder for the first seven decades of its Independence, suddenly drastically transformed itself so as to emerge the leader in the community of nations. It is this podcast that they will turn to as the primary source to understand the people of Bharat of 2025, at the cusp of rearranging the world order. For it is this podcast that, at the global level so accurately reflected, the soul of Bharat which for the first time is in perfect consonance with the idea of India. And once that happens who can stop Bharat’s rise.
