Narendra Modi yesterday said he never thought of becoming the prime minister because there was nothing in his background that could make him think like that.
Common people do not believe in such things, he said, adding that thoughts (like being the prime minister one day) could only come to those who belong to a particular family with backgrounds.
His comments came during a “candid and completely non-political” conversation with Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar.
“But my family background was such that if I had got a good job, my mother would have distributed sweets to neighbours because we never thought beyond that. We never saw anything outside our village.
“This journey just started and the country accepted me. Responsibilities also came to me automatically. As per my personal view, this (becoming prime minister) is unnatural because my life and world do not fit into current political atmosphere.
“I always wonder how the country loves me and gives me so much,” Modi told Kumar in an interaction at his 7 Lok Kalyan Marg residence.
There was a time, Modi said when he believed he would either become a “sanyasi” (hermit) or serve the army.
The actor also asked Modi about his daily routine, besides his responsibilities, his love for mangoes and his sleep schedule.
Kumar started off asking the prime minister about his epic love for mangoes. Modi got all nostalgic and told him how he used to enjoy the fruit as a child. However, now as the prime minister he has to be careful and needs to keep a tab on his diet.
A few hours after the third phase of Lok Sabha elections concluded, Kumar made an announcement on Twitter that he would be engaging in a “candid and completely non-political” interaction with Modi.
The actor said that the chat would offer a “breather” to the prime minister amid his hectic campaign schedule. He also said that the conversation will help viewers “discover” some facts about Modi.
Modi revealed that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, otherwise a vocal critic, herself selects ‘kurtas’ and gifts them to him every year.
He added that the revelation might harm him in the ongoing elections.
Modi said Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina used to send him special sweets every year from Dhaka. “When Mamata Didi came to know about it, she also started sending me Bengali sweets on one or two occasions every year.”
The prime minister said that he had good relations with his political opponents like senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad.
Asked if he ever felt angry, Modi said: “If I said that I don’t get angry, people would be surprised.
“Anger is a part of life of every human being. When I was about 18-20 years old, I was told that bad habits are hurdles in personal growth. My anger was one such bad habit. I was a chief minister for a long time. Now I am the prime minister, but there was not a single occasion when I got angry with anyone.
“I am strict, but I don’t believe in humiliating others. I encourage people. I lend them a helping hand... I learn and also teach. I make a team. There may be anger inside me but I don’t express it.”
Asked if he did not want to live with his family, Modi said he left his home at a very young age and so his life is totally detached from family.
Related Story