\New Delhi: For the Narendra Modi buff, there is more about the social impulses of a man who caught the imagination of millions in 2014. Helping unravel this mystique is the third part of the ‘The Modi Story,’ a five-part saga, which has been posted on the Social Media page Humans of Bombay. The post, on the Instagram page reads, “After coming back from the Himalayas, I knew that I wanted my life to be one that is lived in the service of others. Within a short span of returning, I left for Ahmedabad.
It was my first brush with living in a big city – the pace of life was very different.” “I began my time there by occasionally helping my uncle at his canteen. Eventually, I became a full time Pracharak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. There, I got the opportunity to interact with people from different walks of life, which entailed a wide range of work. We all took turns to clean the RSS office, prepare tea and food for colleagues and clean utensils. Life was rigorous and busy. But amidst all of my duties, I was determined to not let go of my learnings from the Himalayas.
To ensure that this new phase of life didn’t take over the sense of peace that I achieved there, I decided to take out some time every year and introspect. It was my way of maintaining a balanced life. “Not many people know this, but I would go away for the 5 days of Diwali. Somewhere in a jungle – a place with only clean water and no people. I would pack enough food to last for those 5 days. There would be no radios or newspapers, and during that time, there was no TV or internet anyway.
I would reflect and the strength that this alone time gave me still helps me to handle life and its various experiences. “People often asked me, who are you going to meet? And I would say, ‘Main mujhse milne ja raha hoon (I’m going to meet myself)’ “Which is why, I always urge everyone, especially my young friends, in the midst of your fast paced life and busy schedules, take some time off…think and introspect. It will change your perception – you will understand your inner self better. You will start living in the true sense of the word.
It will also make you more confident and undeterred by what others say about you. All of these things will help you in times to come. So I just want each and every one of you to remember that you are special and that you don’t have to look outside for the light…it’s already within you,” reads the post. Die-hard Modi fans will have to wait for parts 4 and 5 of the series. Incidentally, Humans of Bombay is a page dedicated to the lives and stories of ordinary people.