Lex Fridman Podcast: PM Modi's advice to young people — ‘No shortcuts, find purpose’

In a rare and candid conversation with US-based AI researcher scientist and podcaster Lex Fridman, Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked about his philosophy on "perseverance, patience, and lifelong learning", while offering advice to young people facing "uncertainty".

During over three hours of discussion, the Prime Minister reflected on his journey — remembering his time when he sold tea at a railway station to leading the world’s largest democracy with 1.4 billion people — and said that challenges are not roadblocks but stepping stones for growth in life.

Fridman had asked him if he had any advice to "young folks who are struggling or feel lost in the world or are trying to find a way". "I want to tell all the young people the following. No matter how dark the night may seem, it is still just night, and morning is bound to come," the PM said.

He asked young people to develop "patience and self-confidence". "Yes, the challenges are real, but I am not defined by my circumstances. I am here for a purpose, sent by a higher power, and I am not alone. The one who sent me is always with me. This unwavering faith should always remain within us," the Prime Minister suggested.

The PM said hardships exist to make one stronger, helping grow and improve, not to leave anyone feeling hopeless or discouraged. "I see every crisis, every challenge as an opportunity," he revealed.

He suggested that young people should not adopt shortcuts in life. "At our railway stations, there hangs a sign for those who habitually cross the tracks instead of using the bridge, it reads, “Shortcut will cut you short.” I would tell young people the same, shortcut will cut you short. There are no shortcuts in life. Patience and perseverance are essential," he said, while adding that one must pour heart into the task at hand.

"Enjoy the journey and find fulfillment in it. I truly believe that if this mindset is cultivated, it transforms life. Similarly, abundance alone is not enough. There is no guarantee of success. Even a wealthy person who indulges in comfort and idleness will eventually wither away."

PM Modi said one should never let the “student within them” die and that learning should never stop, regardless of one’s position in life. "I believe that as long as I am alive, I must have a purpose. Perhaps I exist to keep learning, to keep growing."

Talking about his early days, the PM said his mother tongue is Gujarati, and he and his family were not very familiar with the Hindi language, nor did they know how to speak it eloquently or communicate effectively. "But as a child, I used to sit at my father’s tea shop, and at that young age, I got the chance to meet so many people. And every time, I learned something from them, I observed their ways of speaking, their expressions. These things taught me a lot, even though I wasn’t in a position to apply it then, I thought, “If I ever get the chance, why not? Why shouldn’t I present myself well?”

He suggested that young people should always have the desire to learn. "And another thing I’ve observed is that most people dream about achieving something or becoming someone. They set big targets and when they fall short, they feel disappointed...instead of dreaming about getting and becoming, dream of doing something."