MODI A TRUE EMBODIMENT OF VASUDHAIVA KUTUMBAKAM
Lively and dynamicwords that truly describe our Prime Minister Modi. It is difficult to find a political figure such as PM Modi who understands the seriousness of his responsibilities, is full of life and yet keeps political conversations out of social get-togethers. Narhari Amin brings to us incidents that reflect on the light-hearted attributes of one of the greatest world leaders of today — Narendra Modi.
"I was an MLA from the Congress and it is natural that I would speak in the House as a member of Opposition when Narendra Bhai was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. My experiences with Modi ji range from the time when I was a member of Opposition, a member of the ruling party and finally a member of the BJP. I have interacted with him in different capacities and at different times, but I can vouch that I have never encountered a personality more positive and more energetic than his, who despite being a tall political figure values relationships and people without a touch of hubris.
The first incident is from the time when I was the Ex-Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat. My elder brothers, Praveen Bhai and Ghanshyam Bhai, had organised parties on the occasion of their birthdays and had gone to invite Narendra Bhai who was then the Chief Minister of Gujarat. Let me tell you, he attended both the parties and spent about an hour at the functions even when majority of the attendees were from Congress. This is the reason why Narendra Modi is counted among the topmost leaders of the world — his uncanny ability to treat people like one extended family and to nurture personal relationships with people even when they are from other political parties sets him apart from other leaders.
What makes Modiji so versatile and loved by one and all is his focus on education and the paradigm shift that he has brought in the way children and adults in rural India view education. In the year 2000, I was an MLA from Congress. At the time of the budget presentation, I delivered a speech as a member of the Opposition regarding the improvements that could be brought out in the education sector in the state. It was a 50-minute speech. I was surprised to receive a letter from Narendra Bhai later on stating that he deeply appreciated my speech that highlighted the positive aspects of governance along with the areas where development could be done. He mentioned that while it is usual for the Opposition to harp on the weak spots of the ruling party, it was indeed commendable that I had the courage and the insight to appreciate the good work the government is doing and the results that it has achieved through its vision and hard work.
Anandiben was the Education Minister at the time and the incredible thing was that the dropout ratio at the primary level was brought down to 1.5% by her. In 1993 I was the Education Minister myself and the dropout ratio was 22% which meant that 22% of the children who would take admission in 1st standard in a particular year would drop out of school the next year. It was all thanks to the wonderful facilities created by Modiji and Anandiben in the Education sector that resulted in the drastic fall in the dropout rate in schools at the primary level. It was this achievement of the BJP government that I lauded in the assembly. Not just this, Modiji drew attention to the state of education in the villages and brought about tremendous improvement in the literacy rates in rural India.
Another unknown facet of Modiji’s personality is the way he takes care of the people who work for him. The selfless service and help that he extends to all his employees -- quietly and gently — is truly unique. When Modiji became the Prime Minister of India and his position changed from CM, he probably had about 35 to 40 lakhs in his account. But when he reached Delhi, he did not have a single penny in his account! All the money he had in his account, he distributed amongst the security officers, workers, peons, those employed in the kitchen and in cleanliness under his care. I daresay there has not been a single political leader in the history of India post-Independence who was magnanimous enough to gave away whatever money he had in his account to those who work for him before assuming a higher position.
Last but not least, it might sound hilarious but I owe this physical fitness to Narendra Modi. I have a weakness for bhajiiya fafda, samosa chutney, daal vada and all other Gujarati delicacies that are sumptuous but fried. I once went to meet him when he exclaimed, 'You better lose weight or you’ll die!' To make sure I follow his counsel, he even had a word with my wife. My daughter too was undergoing a serious ailment and had been advised operation by the doctors. But I was reluctant as I felt she might recover naturally. Modiji then comforted me and advised me to go ahead with my daughter’s operation if I wanted her to lead a long and healthy life. He ensured that my daughter got operated within the next 15 days. It has been six years today since he took us to task regarding our health. Well, my weight today is 66 kilos and I am fit as a fiddle, thanks to PM Modi’s penchant for physical, mental and spiritual fitness!" TO BE CONTINUED…
