Does PM Modi Ever Feel Lonely? Lex Fridman Asks Prime Minister

PM Modi Podcast: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a conversation on Lex Fridman’s podcast, spoke about how he never feels lonely. He shares how he always has the almighty to ‘keep him company'. The Prime Minister also shared how the teachings of Swami Vivekananda have helped him understand that 'service to mankind is service to God'. 

During the podcast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was asked if he ever gets lonely as he works a lot. To this, he replied, “I never experience 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.” 

Also Read: Not In Politics To Play Power Games: PM Modi

He then explained how the ideals of Swami Vivekananda have helped him understand that ‘nation is divine’. PM Modi added, “Having wholeheartedly embraced the ideals of Swami Vivekananda, 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.” 

The Prime Minister shared the unique ideas he came up with to keep himself occupied during the Coronavirus pandemic, when the nation was on lockdown. He recalled, “With the lockdown and travel restrictions in place, I came up with a way to make the most of my time. I designed a governance model that operated seamlessly through videoconferencing. I kept myself occupied with remote work and virtual meetings.” 

Also Read: Used Chalk To Polish My White Shoes: PM Modi Tells Lex Fridman

He also remembered specifically connecting with the old volunteers who he had worked with throughout his life. He said, “Among my party’s 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 aged 70 and above. I made it a point to inquire about their health and their family’s well-being. I inquired about how their area was coping. I asked 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." PM Modi shared how the act helped him connect with old friends and relive memories. He concluded by saying, “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.” 

Also Read: PM Modi Shares How Roaming In Himalayas Helped Him Discover Inner Power

The podcast, featuring discussions on leadership, governance, and India's global role, is among the few long-form interviews PM Modi has given on an international platform.