‘Saw a leader who valued simplicity over luxury’: Devendra Fadnavis recalls first meet with PM Modi
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently shared a heartwarming personal story about his first meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, just ahead of Modi’s 75th birthday on September 17. The anecdote highlights Modi’s humility and deep-rooted connection to his RSS roots, giving fans and followers a glimpse into what makes the leader so inspiring.
In a touching video posted on X (formerly Twitter) under the hashtag #MyModiStory, Fadnavis recalled the moment from years ago when he was a young mayor and president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) in Nagpur. “I didn’t know that first encounter with @narendramodi ji in Nagpur would leave such a lasting impression on me. I was eager to learn from senior party leaders,” Fadnavis shared in the video.
The story unfolded during an ‘Abhyaas Varg’ – a key training event for RSS and BJP workers – at Reshimbagh grounds in Nagpur. Fadnavis was in charge of organizing everything, including comfortable rest houses for all the dignitaries. When Modi arrived, he first paid respects at Dr. Hedgewar’s memorial, a nod to RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar.
But the real surprise came next. Fadnavis asked Modi where he’d like to stay, expecting him to pick one of the fancy rest houses like other leaders. Instead, Modi simply replied that he wanted the small, basic room meant for ordinary Sangh karyakartas (workers). “That choice struck me deeply. It showed his humility and strong bond with Sangh traditions,” Fadnavis said.
Throughout the event, Modi didn’t just attend – he rolled up his sleeves and personally checked on every detail to ensure all participants felt comfortable and cared for. “That meeting shaped my view of him as a leader who chooses simplicity over luxury and service over status. Narendra Modi ji’s image has stayed with me ever since,” Fadnavis added, praising the Prime Minister’s dedication.
This personal Narendra Modi story comes at a perfect time, as the BJP ramps up celebrations for his milestone birthday. The party will kick off ‘Seva Pakhwara’ – a two-week drive of welfare and community outreach programs across India – to honor Modi’s lifelong commitment to public service.
Born on September 17, 1950, in the small Gujarat town of Vadnagar, Narendra Modi left home at 17 to join the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Inspired by Swami Vivekananda’s teachings, his life has revolved around discipline, spirituality, and nation-building. He joined the BJP in 1985, led Gujarat as Chief Minister for four terms from 2001 to 2014, and became India’s 14th Prime Minister in 2014. Today, he’s in his third term, continuing to drive big changes for the country. Stories like Fadnavis’s remind us why PM Modi remains a symbol of selfless leadership.
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