Nikhil Kamath podcast: Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath in his latest podcast asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi who he calls when he wants to share something important. PM Modi made his debut with Kamat's 'People by WTF' programme.
“Suppose you have an event in your life tomorrow that makes you happy, and who would you call first?” Kamath asked the Prime Minister.
“I went to Lal Chowk in Srinagar to hoist the tricolour. Earlier in Punjab, our vessel was attacked near Pagwara, firing was done, several people were injured, about 5-6 were killed and there was a tense atmosphere throughout the country. Hoisting the flag at Lal Chowk was challenging at that time as the flag was often burnt there. After hoisting the tricolor we reached Jammu. So, my first call from Jammu was to my mother. It was a happy moment for me, and I thought she must have been worried that I had gone to such a place where there was gunshots. I remember my first call to my mother. Today I understand the importance of that call. I haven't felt that way since then.” He said.
Sharing her own experience after her father passed away, Kamath said she felt guilty for not spending more time with him and instead giving priority to work. He asked PM Modi if he felt the same after his mother's death.
“You see, my life is very different. I have left my childhood home. Even my family had reconciled that I didn't belong there. I had also accepted that I was not made for family life. So is my life. So there was never such a bond between any of us,” PM Modi said.
“Anyway, when my mother turned 100, I went to seek her blessings. Now at the age of 100, my mother is not educated, she is not formally educated. As I was leaving I told her I had to go to my work and asked if I had anything. I was surprised by her answer. My mother, who never went to school, said two sentences: work intelligently, live cleanly. Since then I have cherished her words. That made me think that God must have given everything to my mother. If I had stayed with her, I would have learned more such things. So, I miss her,” PM Modi said, adding that his interaction with his mother was limited as she visited him twice or so every year.
He recalled that his mother was never really sick. Every time he leaves, she says, “You have a lot of work to do, hurry up,” he said.