Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Jan 10: In his first-ever podcast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke candidly with Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath, emphasising the importance of youth participation in politics. PM Modi encouraged young individuals to enter politics with a spirit of dedication and sacrifice, rather than ambition alone. He shared the podcast trailer on his X handle, expressing hope that listeners would enjoy it as much as he and Kamath enjoyed creating it.
During the two-hour conversation, PM Modi discussed a range of topics, including his early years, education, setbacks, and risk management skills. He stressed that becoming a politician is different from succeeding in politics, explaining that true success comes from commitment, empathy, and teamwork. "Winning people's hearts and living their lives with them is what makes a good leader," he said, underlining that young people should join politics with a mission, not personal ambition.
PM Modi reiterated his famous statement from the Red Fort, emphasizing that India needs one lakh dedicated young leaders driven by a selfless desire to serve the nation. He also highlighted the qualities that define great leaders, such as empathy, hard work, and communication skills, drawing inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of selflessness and unity during the independence movement. He recalled the example of Ashok Bhatt, a party worker and minister, whose dedication to serving the people exemplified the fulfilling yet tough nature of political life.
In a personal anecdote, PM Modi shared how reconnecting with childhood friends after becoming Chief Minister of Gujarat helped him stay grounded. He invited former classmates, teachers, and relatives to his official residence, reflecting on how such gatherings kept him humble.
Nikhil Kamath praised PM Modi’s vision and expressed hope that the podcast would inspire the youth to consider politics as a meaningful career path. Kamath, with a net worth of $3.1 billion on Forbes’ 2024 World Billionaires List, is the co-founder of Zerodha, one of India’s largest brokerage firms. Zerodha disrupted the brokerage market by introducing a discount brokerage model, making investing more accessible to the masses. Kamath has also hosted podcasts featuring industry leaders like Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Ritesh Agarwal, and Ronnie Screwvala.
Kamath started hosting his podcast series, "WTF is with Nikhil Kamath" and "People by WTF," to gain insights into industries he's interested in investing in. He has featured prominent personalities from the startup, retail, e-commerce, and fintech sectors. PM Modi's appearance marks a milestone for Kamath's show.
Kamath, who committed to donating 50% of his wealth to charitable causes like climate change, education, and healthcare in June 2023, continues to offer valuable conversations through his podcast, aiming to inspire the next generation of leaders.