New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi had an extensive discussion on several topics during his debut podcast with Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath on Friday. In the two-hour conversation, Kamath asked if financial resources were essential for a career in politics.
“Young people often think that entering politics demands a significant amount of money, which they lack. In the startup world, we raise funds from friends and family when we have an idea, calling it a seed round. How does this work in politics?” he asked.
In response, the prime minister narrated a story from his childhood. He said, “I remember an incident from my village. There was a doctor, a skilled eye specialist, who also had excellent oratory skills and was fluent in both Hindi and Gujarati. He decided to run for election as an independent candidate. At that time, I was part of the ‘Baal Sena’ and would campaign with flags.”
‘Patience and dedication are key’
“He raised funds by asking for a one-rupee donation from villagers. During a public meeting, he transparently shared the total amount collected and spent only Rs 250 on his campaign. Despite this modest spending, he won by a very narrow margin,” PM Modi said. He further said, “It’s a misconception that society doesn’t value honesty. Patience and dedication are key. You cannot adopt a ‘contractual’ mindset, where actions are taken solely for votes. Such an approach will not lead to success.”
‘Every politician is a voter’
The prime minister urged people to move beyond the traditional political mindset of simply electing representatives.
“We need to move beyond politics that is confined to electing MPs or MLAs,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said. “Engaging in societal work, like running a small ashram to educate girls, can have a huge political impact, even if the person does not contest elections.”
He added, “It’s essential to view politics from a broader perspective. In a democracy, every voter is essentially a politician, using their judgment when casting their vote.”
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