YouSaid · the spoken record

Narendra Modi

lines on the record: 151
first: 2025-03-16
most recent: 2025-03-16
sittings or episodes: 1
sources: podcast

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“And in general, my travels around Delhi and India revealed to me some early glimpses of what felt like another world, almost like another planet, different culturally from anything of experience before, a chaos of human interactions out their big dynamic personalities and characters. Obviously, India is composed of many distinct subcultures, and Delhi represents just one slice, much like neither New York or Texas or Iowa alone represent America. They're all different flavors of America. On my visit, I walked around and rode rickshaws everywhere, just aimlessly wandering the streets, looking to talk to people about life. Course, like many places on”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“No, let me answer some questions and try to reflect on and articulate some things I've been thinking about. If you would like to submit questions or get in touch with me for whatever reason, go to Lexfriedman dot com slash contact. First, let me give a shout out to the amazing team around the Prime Minister. Everyone was super kind, excellent at what they do, efficient, great communication, and just great people all around. And since I spoke English and Prime Minister Modi spoke Hindi, I have to comment on the interpreter who was doing simultaneous interpreting for both of us. She was absolutely amazing. I can't sing her enough praises from the equipment used to the quality of the translation to just the human touch of it all.”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Thank you so much, Prime Minister. This was an honor. I am thankful for the opportunity to have this conversation with you. After fasting for two days, I recommend you ease into eating slowly, and I hope you reap great benefits from this fasting experience. I've explored several new realms of thought for the first time ever with you today. I had long kept you. Tucked away within myself. But today you brought those thoughts to light. I hope. Thank you. I hope your viewers may enjoy this. It was a great pleasure speaking with you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for listening to this conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Mod”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“And this mantra emphasizes the path to achieve that completeness. Similarly, Hindus never focus solely on individual well-being. Sarv Bhamantusugina Sarve Santundir In other words we wish for the well being and prosperity of all Sarve Hadrani Paschentu Makasidu Bhagavit This mantra encompasses the idea of universal well-being and prosperity and you know how this mantra ends? Om Shanti Shanti Shanti Every Hindu Mantra ends on the same note peace peace peace These ancient and powerful rituals born in India Have emerged from thousands of years Of the spiritual practice of sages. They connect us to the essence of life Shanti Shanti Shanti. Thank you for this honor. Thank you for this incredible conversation. Thank you for welcoming me to India. And I can't wait to break the fast with some Indian food tomorrow.”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“You get a lavish, luxurious room. The decor is impeccable, and you have been wholeheartedly fasting. But there's a dripping faucet in the bathroom. That faint sound is enough to make a luxurious room Feel worthless At times we realize The value of concentration in life's inner journey. We come to appreciate the difference a little bit of concentration can make. One very interesting concept comes to mind From our scriptures Since we spoke about life and death, I would like to quote a mantra. In other words All life is part of a complete circle.”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“And placed an upside down bowl below, so water would drip rhythmically from the leaf onto the bowl. He asked me to focus only on the Dripping water ignoring all other sounds, Ignore the chirping birds and the soft rustle of the breeze. He would place the leaf And I would meditate there for hours. I My mind slowly tuning into. The rhythmic sounds of the water droplets falling onto the bowl. Like a melody guiding me into deep focus. And it's not like I was chanting mantras or reciting God's name. I like to call it the divine resonance. It was by tuning into that divine resonance that I learned the art of concentration. This practice slowly evolved into meditation Sometimes you happen to stay at a fancy hotel.”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“The word meditation has been overused to the point. That it feels like a cliche. In Indian languages, we usually refer to it as Dian. If I associate Dion to meditation, it might seem burdensome to some. One might think, this is too difficult. I'm not an enlightened being. But it's not rocket science. It just means freeing yourself. Distraction. For example, Even when you're in class, Your mind wanders to recess. All you think about is lunch, not the lesson. Meditation is simply being present in the moment. I recall an incident. From my time living in the Himalayas There I encountered this wise sage. He taught me a simple Practical technique. It was nothing spiritual. Are several little streams in the Himalayas. A large leaf To catch water From one of those streams.”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“You did great. Ombur Bubah Swaha Tatsavitur Baraniam Bargo Devashadimai Diona Pratayak. This mantra is dedicated to the radiant power of the sun And is considered a powerful tool for spiritual enlightenment Many mantras in Hindu philosophy are deeply intertwined. In some intricate and interesting ways With science and nature. Each woven into different facets of life. Chanting mantras on a daily basis. Brings profound and lasting benefits”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“It is they who can help you humanity achieve extraordinary positive breakthroughs with an unshackled speed and grace. Transcending the limitations of the old way of doing things by embracing change.”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Well, I am an optimist at heart. Pessimism and negativity are simply not ingrained in my mindset. They don't align with the way I think. That's why I always gravitate toward the bright side instead If we take a moment to reflect on the history of mankind and We see the incredible crisis humans have overcome with resilience and strength. We also see the major changes humanity has embraced to evolve with the times. And this continuous transformation has carried on for millennia. In every era, it is in human nature to adapt to the ever-flowing current of change. And while our progress is Has gone through cycles of ups and downs. It is those people who can break free from the constraints Of these historical cycles and outdated thinking patterns.”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“I have a very interesting question. Life and death are two sides of a coin But which of the two is more certain Exactly Now, with that out of the way, We know for a fact that life itself is a whispered promise of death, and yet life is also destined to flourish. So again, in the dance of life and death, only death is certain. So why fear what is certain? That's why you must embrace life. Instead of fretting over death That's how life will evolve and flourish, for it is uncertain. That's why You must commit to enriching, refining, and elevating your life. So you can live fully and with a purpose. Before death comes knocking That's why 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.”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“You must get behind the wheel and take the road yourself. You must dare to take risks. You can never master the road. If fear of accident or death holds you back. I truly believe that. Those who live in the present are the ones who live their life to the fullest. That's because they know that every moment lived. Has already slipped into the past. So you must embrace the moment before it fades into the past. Otherwise chasing the future only turns the present into the past. It's not a trade worth making. Most people. Stress so much about the future that their present quietly slips away. Before they know it, The moment has already faded into the past.”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Let me share a personal example with you. I used to learn a lot from reading But these days More and more I learn by being fully present. Whenever I meet someone, I am fully present in the moment. I give them my full attention. These complete focus allows me to grasp new concepts quickly. When I'm with you, I'm fully present, grounded in the moment. No calls or messages can pull me away from this moment with you. I am fully present focused on the here and now. That's why I always believe this is a habit everyone should embrace. It will sharpen your mind and improve your learning ability. Besides, knowledge alone cannot light the way. You must immerse yourself in the flow of practice. You cannot master driving merely by reading the life stories of great drivers.”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“They take papers or other things, and when their pen suddenly stops working, causing anxiety, sometimes they feel uneasy thinking, oh no, I don't like sitting next to this person. If the bench wobbles, their whole attention goes there, indicating self doubt. Those lacking confidence constantly keep looking for distractions. But if you're confident and have genuinely worked hard, just take a minute, take some deep breaths, relax your mind, and refocus your attention calmly. Slowly read through the questions and allocate your time systematically. I have this amount of time I'll dedicate these minutes per question. In my experience, students who regularly practice writing test papers. Can easily overcome such situations without any trouble at all.”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Parents must first understand that life is not just about taking exams. Families should understand that their children aren't trophies meant to be displayed. Are models to show off in society. It's not about saying, look, my kids scores so high. Parents really need to stop using their kids just as status symbols. Secondly, students should always keep themselves. Well, prepared beforehand. Only then. Can they appear for exams feeling stress free and confident? They should have complete trust in themselves and their abilities. Sometimes I see students panic over the smallest issues during exams.”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“You should always maintain trust in your own abilities. Keep believing in yourself and trust that when the opportunity comes, you will perform. And you will succeed. That confidence makes a person deliver results.”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“You may think I wanted to be a doctor but became a teacher. My life is wasted. Thinking like that won't help you at all. All right, you didn't become a doctor. But as a teacher, you can shape a hundred doctors. If you had become a doctor, you'd serve only your patients, but now, as a teacher, you can inspire students to fulfill their dreams of becoming doctors, so that both you and your students can together serve millions of patients. Then he gains a new perspective on life. I couldn't become a doctor so I was miserable, and I was unhappy being a teacher. But now I realize as a teacher I can create doctors. Connecting your life to a greater purpose brings a sense of inspiration and meaning. I have always believed that God has given everyone unique capabilities. Never lose faith in your own abilities.”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“I believe that Whatever task you get, If you perform that task, With complete dedication and sincerity They inevitably Become an expert sooner or later. And their enhanced capabilities. Open doors to success. While working One must continually strive to improve their skills And should never underestimate his Their ability to learn When someone constantly neglects their learning ability, they limit their growth, but those who look beyond their tasks and observe what others around them are doing. Their capacity can double or even triple. To young people I'd say this clearly. There's no need to feel discouraged. Some task out there destined just for you. Don't worry. Focus on enhancing your skills and opportunities will come.”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“And then tried to give my very best. As a result, my creativity began to improve even more. Sometimes teachers do these small, simple activities that greatly impact your life. These experiences combined with my own background. In organizational work made human resource development a key area of focus for me. That's why I engage with children through events once or twice each year and over time these efforts have resulted in a book that's benefiting thousands of children, serving as a valuable reference for them.”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Using an innovative idea. On his very first day he placed a diary on the table and said Whoever arrives earliest each morning will write one sentence in this diary, along with their name. The next student Would then need to write a related sentence. At first, I'd rushed to school very early every day. Why? So that I could ride the first sentence. I once wrote something like Today sunrise. Was magnificent. It filled me with energy. I'd write my name, and whoever arrived after me had to write something connected to the sunrise as well. After a few days I realized my creativity wasn't improving much from this. Why? Because I'd arrived with the fixed thought already in mind and simply write it down. So I decided I'd start going last instead. What happened then was that I'd read what others had written first”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“To another he might request Bring fifteen grains of rice no more no less. A third child could be told Bring twenty one Mungbeans precisely that number. Different students got different quantities and varieties. So each child would think I need to get exactly ten, and counting them at home help them memorize numbers naturally. Then they'd learn what chickpeas were, and after returning to school they'd pull it all. The teacher would then ask Take out ten chickpeas, three chickpeas, two moon beans. This way children learned math and could identify chickpeas and moon beans effortlessly. I'm talking about early childhood education here. Such learning techniques educate children without burdening them, and we've incorporated similar methods into our new education policy. When I was in school, I observed one of my teachers”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“As well as the perspectives of people in the educational field. So, these discussions don't just benefit the students, they benefit me too. Exams are valuable for assessing knowledge in a Specific domain, but they can't become the sole measure of someone's overall potential. Many people May not score high academically, yet can hit a century in cricket because that's where their true strength lies when the focus shifts to actual learning and Scores tend to naturally improve I remember when I was a student, I had a teacher. Whose learning techniques still greatly appeal to me today. He would give us children specific instructions. To one child he would say, Tomorrow brings exactly 10 chickpeas from home.”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“By and large, a strange mindset has developed in society today. Even schools measure their success by students' rankings. Families too feel pride when their child achieves a high rank because they believe it improves their educational and social status. This mentality has resulted in increased pressure on children Kids also began feeling that their entire lives depend on 10th and 12th grade exams. We've introduced significant changes in our new education policy to address this issue. But until those changes take effect on the ground, I feel another responsibility. If our children face challenges, it's my duty to listen to them, understand them, and ease their burden. In a way when I conduct Parikshape Charcha. I get insights directly from the students, understand their parents mindset.”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Now look, humans have an innate ability to care for each other. The natural tendency to be concerned about one another. Now, can someone tell me Is AI capable of this?”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“It's true that in every era A competitive atmosphere was created Between technology and humanity. At times It was Portrayed as conflict. It was often portrayed as if technology would challenge human existence itself, but every time, as technology advanced humans adapted and stayed a step ahead, it has always been the case. After all, it is humans who find the best ways to use technology to their advantage. And I believe that with AI Humans are now Being forced to reflect on what it truly means to be human, this is the real power of AI. Because of the way AI functions, it has challenged how we perceive work itself. Human imagination is the fuel AI can create Many thinks based on that, and in the future it may achieve even more. Still, I firmly believe that no technology can ever”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“In fields like innovation, entrepreneurship, startups, and boardrooms, you'll find Indians achieving extraordinary results everywhere. Take our space sector, for example. Previously, it was entirely government controlled, but just a couple of years ago I opened it up to the private sector, and now we already have two hundred startups working in space technology Moreover Our missions like Chandre are extremely cost effective. India's Chandrayaan mission cost less than what? Hollywood spends making a single blockbuster film. So when the world sees how cost effective our work is, they naturally think why not partner with India? This automatically generates respect for Indian talent globally. I believe This is a hallmark of our civilizational ethos.”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“The ability to work effectively as part of a team matters significantly more. Understanding people and harnessing their abilities is an incredibly valuable skill. Generally, people raised in India, especially those coming from joint families and brought up in an open society, find it easier to lead complex tasks and large teams effectively. That's why today. In major corporations across the globe, you'll find Indians holding key leadership positions. And the problem solving abilities, along with the analytical thinking of Indian professionals, are truly exceptional. I believe this capability is so strong it makes Indians globally competitive and extremely Valuable on the international stage This is the reason why”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Look, Indian culture emphasizes that. There should be equal respect for the place where you're born. And the place where you work There should be no difference As much as there is dedication to the land of birth, there should be the same sense of dedication to the land of work. You should always give your best wherever you are. Because of these rich cultural values, every Indian strives to give their best effort, regardless of their role or position. They don't wait until they're in senior roles, even in smaller roles. Secondly, they never get involved in anything questionable or unethical. They tend to remain dedicated to what's right and ethical. Their nature is collaborative. They easily get along with others. Eventually for success. Just having knowledge isn't enough.”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Became the fastest nation globally to roll out comprehensive 5G networks. Recently, an American company executive visited me and shared his experiences about this very fact. He told me that if I were to advertise in the US for engineers, I would I would only receive enough applicants to fill a single room at best. But if I do the same in India, even a football field wouldn't be enough to hold them. This indicates that India has access to an extraordinarily vast pool of talent, and that's our greatest strength. After all Artificial intelligence. Is fundamentally Powered, shaped, and guided by human intelligence. Without genuine human intelligence, AI can't thrive or progress sustainably. And that real intelligence exists abundantly in India's youth and talent pool. And I believe that's our greatest asset.”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“I agree. I believe AI development is fundamentally a collaboration. Everyone involved Supports one another through shared experiences and learning. India isn't just developing theoretical AI models. It is actively working on and bringing to life AI driven applications for very specific use cases. To ensure that GPU access is available to every section of society, We have already created a unique marketplace based model to ensure its broad accessibility. Significant mindset shift is taking place in India. Though historical influences, traditional government procedures, or the lack of strong support infrastructure, Made us appear As lagging behind to others Take 5G, for example. The world initially believed we were far behind. Once we started, we”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“One thing I'm about to say might sound strong. And it may even upset some people. But since you've asked, I'll speak openly from my heart. No matter what the world does with AI. It will remain incomplete without India I'm making this statement very responsibly. You've heard my speech at the AI summit in Paris On global cooperation. What do you think Can anyone develop AI entirely on their own? What is your perspective on this?”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“I've openly told the country from the start I'm human. I can make mistakes, but I won't act with bad intentions. People remember those words clearly, even if something doesn't go as planned, they trust that Modi's intentions were right. They think he probably meant to do something good. Even if it didn't work out. So society sees and accepts me just as I am.”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“I stayed focused on basic fundamentals, and by doing so, we succeeded and kept moving ahead. So ultimately my economy benefited as well. My approach has always been to stay focused on these fundamentals. Another strength is my risk taking capacity. I don't worry about potential losses for myself. If something is right for my country, for the people, I'm always prepared to take the risk. And secondly, I take ownership of my decisions. If something goes wrong, I don't ship blame to others. I stand up, take responsibility, and own the outcome. When you take ownership Your team also becomes deeply committed. They know this person won't let us down, won't abandon us. He'll always stand with us. Because they see I'm making honest decisions, not for myself, but for the nation.”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“It thoroughly analyzed the issue. Will yield something valuable. Once I converge Form With like-minded people To gauge their Moving forward Have a strong This entire decision making My speed is very fast. Let me share an example. How did I make I had Nobel Prize winners advising me From around the world. They'd say this country is doing Me with suggestions But I didn't act immediately. I What exactly should I do? Then, considering the unique Basic daily needs. These core principl Global economies were collapsing Everyone pressured me to empty the treasury, print more. But I Understanding Combining As a result When the whole world India did not The We didn't worry about what newspapers would say, whether they'd praise or criticize, ignoring all that.”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“First, Perhaps the Who has stayed overnight? This was before my current role I learned a lot from those They gave me Not something asked or heard or learned merely from books. Weighs me down Certain way Thirdly, I have a simple I Har Think of the Remember them and ask yourself, will this help them? Then your decision will be right. That wisdom always guides me. Remembering ordinary statements Them. In my administration, my officials know this well. Probably Overwhelmed Receive lots of Various sources So, when someone comes to brief me, Not my only source of information. I always have additional perspectives available to me. Another thing. I Learner's mindset. Suppose I'm not familiar with something, and an official explains it to me. I Can you clarify this? How does it work? Then I deliberately played Devil's”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Look, I. Deeply respect him. And everyone in my country respects him as well Because I strongly believe there's a deep connection between science and spirituality. You'll find Srinivasa Ramanu Meaning And discipline is more than just hard work. You see, the more open we are to new and different. The more new ideas we'll have. I think Some people Carrying around But I don't believe information alone equals knowledge. Knowledge is something deeper. It gradually Recogn How we handle both”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Such a long period. The people have entrusted me as head of government. I've continuously held myself to these three standards, and I still live by them today. My inspiration comes from serving 1.4 billion people, from understanding and fulfilling their aspirations. And addressing Their I'm always determined to do as much as I can. Work as hard as possible, even today my energy remains just as strong.”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“So, I think, how can I sleep? How can I relax? So naturally, the motivation is right in front of my eyes. Those very things around me keep me motivated. Secondly, my responsibilities keep pushing me forward. The responsibilities entrusted to me by my fellow citizens always remind me that I'm not here to enjoy privileges. I will always give it my absolute best. Perhaps there are a couple of things I may not accomplish, but there will never be a lack of effort or hard work from me, and when I was campaigning in twenty fourteen. I had made a promise first in Gujarat and later across India. I promised my fellow citizens that I will never Fall behind in hard work for my country Secondly, I promised. I would never act with bad intentions And thirdly, I vowed I'd never do anything for personal gain. Today it's been twenty four years.”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Look first of all, I don't believe I'm the only one working. I look at the people around me and always think, These people work harder than I do. I think about farmers, I realize how hard they work. They toil and sweat under the open sky day after day. When I look at our country's soldiers, I think about how many hours. Someone spends working tirelessly in snow, deserts, or even underwater day and night. When I see a laborer, I think about how hard they're working. I always think about how hard our mothers and sisters work in every family for the happiness of the family. They're the first to wake up and the last to go to bed, taking care of everyone in the family, while also managing social responsibilities. Thinking of all this, I'm in awe of how hard people work.”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Ask these questions to make sure they were doing well. This allowed me to build rapport with them, and we would go down the memory lane. They were touched, that the Prime Minister would check on them in the pandemic. I made around 40 calls every day without fail. I carried on with this throughout the pandemic. It gave me the chance to reconnect and relive old memories with familiar faces. Loneliness is never a concern for me, as I always find ways to stay engaged. And I have long been at peace with myself. The time I spent in the Himalayas have helped me develop this.”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“With the lockdown and traveling restrictions in place, I came up with a way Make the most of my time. I designed Governance model that operated seamlessly through video conferencing. I kept myself occupied with remote work and virtual meetings. Another thing I did was to connect with the people I had worked with throughout my life Among my parties, volunteers nationwide, I made a list of those who were 70 and older. Some of the volunteers Had very humble beginnings and came from Very modest backgrounds. I personally called every volunteer age seventy and above I made it a point to inquire about the health and their family's well being. I inquired about how their area was coping.”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Look, I never experienced loneliness. Because I am an ardent believer. In the philosophy of one plus one. And this philosophy of one plus one. Is aligned with My moral compass. And whenever I am asked to elaborate, On this outlook, I say the first one represents Modi and the other one represents the Almighty. I am never alone, for he is always there to keep me company. This is just how I function Having wholeheartedly embraced the ideals of Swami Viva Kananda, I firmly believe that service to mankind is service to God. For me, the nation itself is divine, and mankind is a reflection of the divine. I walk this path with the conviction that serving the people is serving the divine. That's why the very notion of Struggling with loneliness has never even remotely crossed my mind. Like at the time of pandemic”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Well, I don't think the word powerful quite reflects Journey of my life I can never claim to be powerful. For all I am is a humble servant I even identify myself as not the Prime Minister but the prime servant. And service is the guiding principle of my work ethic. As far as power is concerned, it is something I have never bothered about. 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 ded Serving the people. I have always devoted myself to bringing about a positive change in their lives.”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Ensuring that we are always fully prepared and election ready no matter the circumstances, I firmly believe that India's election commission sets a global standard as a benchmark. For conducting free and fair elections. It is the apex decision maker. This in itself is such a remarkable story that the world's top universities should consider it a case study. They should analyze the management behind it as a valuable learning example. Given the sheer number of voters, can you truly grasp the immense depth of political awareness? All of these will make for an excellent case study for the younger generation worldwide.”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Technology with remarkable swiftness, while some other countries take months to declare election results, we announce the results within a day, despite the mind-boggling number of voters, and you were spot on. In saying that even the remotest villages have polling stations. We even use helicopters to transport polling stations. I believe Arunachal Pradesh. Has the highest altitude polling booth on record. In Gujarat, a polling booth was set up in the gear forest for just one voter, who was in the middle of nowhere, but we ensured a polling booth was set up for them. All I mean to say is that We truly leave no stone unturned in our unwavering commitment to strengthening democracy.”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“And braved the intense heat of May, determined to cast their boats, temperatures soared to forty degrees in some areas, yet they chose to go, and the size of this voter base is double the population of the United States. We had more than a million polling booths. Can you fathom all the manpower involved in this? My country has more than 2,500 registered political parties. This staggering figure with such a vast array of political parties has the power to leave the entire world in awe. My country As more than nine hundred round the clock news channels. There are over 5,000 newspapers published daily. They each play a role in upholding democracy in their own way. Even the Humblest villages here embrace.”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“First and foremost, I am truly. Grateful for your insightful question. Anyone who believes in democracy should listen to what I am about to share with you. We often discuss election results, but all the behind the scenes work is overlooked. Let's take the recently concluded 2024 general elections. As an example, There were nine hundred eighty million pounds. Registered voters. Each of those voters had a registered ID, and all the necessary details. In a vast database. And this number is twice the entire population of North America. It even surpasses the total population of the entire European Union. Out of the 980 million registered voters Six hundred and forty six million people Ventured out”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“And it's not like my party has been around forever. It reflects the hard work of millions of volunteers. Their selfless service is widely recognized and valued by the community. It fortifies people's trust in the BJP, echoed in the election results. I never tallied our election triumphs, but we have had people's blessings.”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“My heart is set on serving the people. I don't distance myself from the people. I live among them as one of them. And I tell everyone I work with if you work hard, I will work harder. People see this and it builds trust besides, I have no conflicts of interest, I have no friends or relatives who stand to gain from the position I hold. The common man appreciates this lack of vested interests. And that's probably just one reason why. Moreover, I come from a party with millions of dedicated volunteers Volunteers who are completely devoted to the welfare of India and its citizens. They have had no stake whatsoever in politics. They've held no title, nor trade where influence holds sway. My party is blessed with millions of volunteers who work tirelessly. I am proud to belong to the worlds largest political party.”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Every beneficiary must be treated equally. No one should face discrimination on caste, creed, faith, wealth, or ideology. We must strive to ensure the well-being and prosperity of everyone. This Even those not directly benefiting never feel left out or treated unfairly, they find comfort in knowing they too will benefit in due course. This fosters a deep sense of trust, and trust is the cornerstone. Of my governance model. Secondly, My govern Flows beyond the ebb and flow of elections. My governance is rooted in the people, not the Poles. It is committed to the well-being of my citizens. And the greater good of the nation. As you may know, I had once set out on a quest for spiritual awakening, so now I revere my nation as the divine itself, and I now revere the people as a manifestation of the divine. Like a devoted priest,”
2025-03-16 · Lex Fridman Podcast · #460 – Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India – Power, Democracy, War & Peace · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source