PM Narendra Modi birthday falls on September 17. This year, he is celebrating his 71st birthday. Let’s know how his childhood was different from other kids and what lessons can be learnt from his struggle as a young child…
PM Narendra was born on the 17th of September, 1950; three years after India gained its Independence. This made him first PM who was born in independent India. Here comes 5 lessons to be learnt from his childhood life.
Learnt work-life balance right from childhood: Narendra Modi’s formative years taught him early tough lessons as he balanced his studies, non-academic life to spare time to work at the family owned Tea Stall as the family struggled to make ends meet.
An ardent reader: Schoolmates recollect how Mr. Modi used to spend many hours reading in the local Library. He had a curiosity to read books
A child who had an affinity to debate: Modi school friends remember him as a child who was very industrious and had an affinity for debates.
A swimmer: As a child, Modi was also fond of swimming.
Influenced by Swami Vivekananda: As a child also he always felt a strong urge to make a difference to society. He was highly influenced by the works of Swami Vivekananda which laid the foundation of his journey towards spiritualism and which inspired him to pursue the mission to fulfill Swamiji’s dream of making India a Jagat Guru.
His different dreams: Modi’s thoughts and dreams as a child were quite different from how most children of his age thought. Perhaps it was the influence of Vadnagar which once used to be a vibrant center of Buddhist learning and spirituality many centuries ago.
Chilhood spent in small house: The third child born to Damodardas Modi and Hiraba Modi, Modi comes from a family of humble origins and modest means. The entire family lived in a small single storey house which was approximately 40 feet by 12 feet.
At the age of 17 he left home to travel across India. For two years, he travelled across the expansive landscape of India exploring various cultures. When he returned home he was a changed man with a clear aim of what he wanted to achieve in life. He went to Ahmedabad and joined Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a socio-cultural organisation working towards the social and cultural regeneration of India.
It was a tough routine for Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad since 1972 when he became a Pracharak for RSS. His day began at 5 am and went on till late night. Late 1970s also saw a young Narendra Modi join the movement to restore Democracy in India which was reeling under Emergency.
This man, with a vision and mission, became the PM of India, giving a lesson to youths that nothing is impossible if we learn through our struggle.