‘In the dance of life and death, only death is certain’

In a chat that lasted over three hours, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke not just about foreign affairs and governance but also about himself and how he views the world. Among the topics he discussed with computer scientist and podcaster Lex Fridman included how he views artificial intelligence, the role of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in shaping his persona, death, whether power corrupts and whether he ever feels loneliness. Here's the first part of the edited transcript that we'd published: Part 1: Modi on Pakistan, Trump, China and Gujarat riotsEdited excerpts from the interview: Does he worry that AI will replace humans?It's true that in every era, a competitive atmosphere is created between technology and humanity. At times, it is even portrayed as conflict. It is often portrayed as if technology will challenge human existence itself. But with every technological advancement, humans have adapted and stayed a step ahead.It has always been the case. After all, it is humans who find the best ways to use technology to their advantage. And I believe that with AI, humans are now being forced to reflect on what it truly means to be human. This is the real power of AI. Because of the way AI functions, it has challenged how we perceive work itself. But human imagination is the fuel. AI can create many things based on that, and in the future, it may achieve even more. Still, I firmly believe that no technology can ever replace the boundless creativity and imagination of the human mind.How can India become the leader in the space of AI?No matter what the world does with AI, it will remain incomplete without India.I believe AI development is fundamentally a collaboration. Everyone involved supports one another through shared experiences and learning. India isn't just developing theoretical AI models, it is actively working on and bringing to life AI-driven applications for very specific use cases. To ensure that GPU access is available to every section of society, we have already created a unique marketplace-based model to ensure its broad accessibility.A significant mindset shift is taking place in India, though historical influences, traditional government procedures, or the lack of strong support infrastructure made us appear as lagging. Take 5G, for example. The world initially believed we were far behind. But once we started, we became the fastest nation globally to roll out comprehensive 5G networks.Recently, an American company executive visited me and shared his experiences about this very fact. He told me that, if he were to advertise in the US for engineers, he would only receive enough applicants to fill a single room. But if he did the same in India, even a football field wouldn't be enough to hold them. This indicates that India has access to an extraordinarily vast pool of talent and that’s our greatest strength. After all, artificial intelligence is fundamentally powered, shaped and guided by human intelligence.Without genuine human intelligence, AI can't thrive or progress sustainably. And that real intelligence exists abundantly in India's youth and talent pool. I believe that's our greatest asset.How RSS shaped him In our village there was a branch of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, where we played sports and sang patriotic songs. Something about those songs touched me deeply; they stirred something inside me. And that’s how I eventually became part of the RSS. One of the core values that were instilled in us at the RSS was whatever you do, do it with a purpose. Even while studying, study with the goal of learning enough to contribute to the nation. Even when you exercise, do it with the purpose of strengthening your body to serve the nation.This is what we were taught. And today, RSS is a massive organization. It is now nearing its 100th anniversary. Such a massive volunteer organization likely doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world. Millions of people are connected to it. But understanding RSS is not that simple. One must make an effort to truly grasp the nature of its work. More than anything, the RSS provides you with a clear direction toward what can truly be called a purpose in life. medium119342383Secondly, the nation is everything, and serving the people is akin to serving God. This is what has been said since the Vedic era, what our sages have said, what Vivekananda said, and what the RSS echoes.A volunteer is told that the inspiration he gains from RSS, it’s not just about attending the one-hour session or wearing the uniform. What matters is what you do for society. And today, inspired by that spirit, many initiatives are thriving.What is the idea that unites IndiaLook, India is a cultural identity. It is a civilization that dates back thousands of years.Consider the vastness of India, over a hundred languages, thousands of dialects. India is so diverse that we have a saying that every twenty miles the language changes, customs change, cuisine changes, even clothing styles shift from region to region. From the south to the north, you will see immense diversity across the country. But if you dig a little deeper, you will find a common thread.For example, the stories of Lord Ram can be heard everywhere in India. His name echoes in every corner of the country. But if you look closely, from Tamil Nadu to Jammu and Kashmir, you will always find people whose names include ‘Ram’ in some form. In Gujarat, he might be called ‘Ram Bhai,’ in Tamil Nadu, ‘Ramachandran,’ in Maharashtra, ‘Ram Bhau.’ This unique cultural bond is what unites India as one civilization. What does he admire about Mahatma Gandhi?He had plenty of great opportunities. But the deep sense of duty within him, along with the values instilled by his family, led him to give up all comforts and devote his life to serving the people of India.He joined the struggle for India’s independence. And to this day, he continues to deeply influence the life of every Indian in some way. Mahatma Gandhi tried to live by his principles and practiced what he preached. For example, he strongly advocated for cleanliness and practiced it himself. And he made it a point to discuss cleanliness wherever he went. Another key factor to consider is India's fight for independence. India was ruled by the Mughals, the British, and several other foreign powers. Despite being bound by the shackles of colonial rule for centuries, the flame of independence burned brightly in every corner and nook of India, never fading, always fuelling the desire for freedom. medium119342478Millions of people sacrificed their lives so the light of freedom could shine on India. They laid down their lives for freedom, sacrificing their youth behind prison walls.Mahatma Gandhi also fought for India’s independence, but in his own way. Indeed, the other freedom fighters were brave warriors, and devoted sons of Mother India. They came, they fought, and their martyrdom immortalized them.And they did indeed have a lasting impact. But it was Mahatma Gandhi who awakened a nation, leading a mass movement fuelled by truth. He viewed every task as a vital thread in the fabric of India’s independence movement. And this transformed India's common man into a soldier in the quest for freedom. Gandhi forged a mass movement so immense that the British could never fully grasp it.Is it better to be loved or feared?As far as I am concerned, I have a responsibility to fulfill. Yet, the weight of that responsibility pales in comparison to my country. I am nowhere near as great as my country and my strength lies not in my name, but in the backing of 1.4 billion Indians, and thousands of years of timeless culture and heritage.So, wherever I go, I carry with me the essence of thousands of years of Vedic tradition, the timeless teachings of Swami Vivekananda, and the blessings, dreams, and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians.When I shake hands with a world leader, it's not Modi, but 1.4 billion Indians doing so. So, this isn't my strength at all. It is rather the strength of India.Full video of interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPUtA3W-7_IHow does he deal with criticism?If I had to summarize in one sentence -- I welcome it.I have a strong belief that criticism is the soul of democracy. If democracy truly runs in your veins, you must embrace it. In our scriptures, it’s said: “Always keep your critics close.”In fact, I believe we should have more criticism, and it should be sharp and well-informed. But my real complaint is that nowadays what we see isn't real criticism. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFJS6onFQzwGenuine criticism requires thorough study, in-depth research, and careful analysis. It demands finding the truth from falsehoods. Today, people look for shortcuts, avoid proper research, and skip deep analysis. Instead of identifying genuine weaknesses, they jump straight to accusations.Clear, well-directed, and specific criticism genuinely helps in the process of effective policy-making. It leads to a clear-cut policy vision.I specifically pay close attention to such constructive criticism. In fact, I actively welcome it. Regarding your point about journalistic headlines, if someone’s attracted by catchy headlines or plays with words, I honestly don't mind that much. But when there's a deliberate agenda behind the actions, and the truth is deliberately ignored, that can cause damage that lasts for decades.If someone focuses on pleasing their readers or viewers with attractive headlines, maybe we can compromise a little. But if there's a hidden motive, or if things are intentionally twisted to serve an agenda, that's a serious issue worth worrying about.Does power have a corrupting effect? I can never claim to be powerful, for all I am is a humble servant. I even identify myself as not the Prime Minister, but the Prime Servant. And service is the guiding principle of my work ethic. As far as power is concerned, it is something I have never bothered about. I entered politics not to play power games, but to serve. Rather than seeking power, I stay committed to doing and getting work done. I am more focused on productivity than power.I have always dedicated myself to serving the people. I have always devoted myself to bringing about a positive change in their lives.Does he ever get lonely?I never experience loneliness. Because I am an ardent believer in the philosophy of one plus one. And this philosophy of one plus one is aligned with my moral compass. Whenever I am asked to elaborate on this outlook, I say, ‘The first one represents Modi, and the other one represents the Almighty.’I am never alone, for He is always there to keep me company. This is just how I function.Having wholeheartedly embraced the ideals of Swami Vivekananda, I firmly believe that service to mankind is service to God.For me, the nation itself is divine, and mankind is a reflection of the divine. I walk this path with the conviction that serving the people is serving the divine. That’s why the very notion of struggling with loneliness has never even remotely crossed my mind. What is his source of strength?First of all, I don't believe I'm the only one working. I look at the people around me and always think, “These people work harder than I do.” When I think about farmers, I realize how hard they work. They toil and sweat under the open sky, day after day. When I look at our country's soldiers, I think about how many hours someone spends working tirelessly in snow, deserts, or even underwater, day and night.When I see a labourer, I think about how hard they're working. I always think about how hard our mothers and sisters work in every family for the happiness of the family. They're the first to wake up and the last to go to bed, taking care of everyone in the family, while also managing social responsibilities. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG0Aqw-LeykThinking of all this, I'm in awe of how hard people work. So I think: how can I sleep? How can I relax? So naturally, the motivation is right in front of my eyes, those very things around me keep me motivated. Secondly, my responsibilities keep pushing me forward. The responsibilities entrusted to me by my fellow citizens always remind me that I'm not here to enjoy privileges. I will always give it my absolute best. Perhaps there are a couple of things I may not accomplish, but there will never be a lack of effort or hard work from me. And when I was campaigning in 2014, I had made a promise, first in Gujarat, and later across India I promised my fellow citizens that I will never fall behind in hard work for my country.Secondly, I promised I would never act with bad intentions.And thirdly, I vowed I'd never do anything for personal gain. Today, it's been twenty-four years, for such a long period, the people have entrusted me as head of government. I've continuously held myself to these three standards, and I still live by them today.My inspiration comes from serving 1.4 billion people, from understanding and fulfilling their aspirations, and addressing their needs. I'm always determined to do as much as I can, work as hard as possible. Even today, my energy remains just as strong.Why he’s prepared to take risksMy approach has always been to stay focused on these fundamentals. Another strength is my risk-taking capacity. I don’t worry about potential losses for myself. If something is right for my country, for the people, I’m always prepared to take the risk. mediumhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgUs4yqt3KwAnd secondly, I take ownership of my decisions. If something goes wrong, I don’t shift blame to others, I stand up, take responsibility, and own the outcome. When you take ownership, your team also becomes deeply committed. They know this person won’t let us down, won’t abandon us, he’ll always stand with us. Because they see I’m making honest decisions, not for myself, but for the nation.I’ve openly told the country from the start, ‘I’m human, I can make mistakes. But I won’t act with bad intentions.’ People remember those words clearly, even if something doesn’t go as planned, they trust that Modi’s intentions were right. They think, ‘He probably meant to do something good, even if it didn't work out.’ So, society sees and accepts me just as I am.His approach to learningI used to learn a lot from reading, but these days, more and more, I learn by being fully present. Whenever I meet someone, I am fully present in the moment. I give them my full attention. This complete focus allows me to grasp new concepts quickly. When I'm with you, I'm fully present, grounded in the moment.No calls or messages can pull me away from this moment with you. I am fully present, focused on the here and now. That’s why I always believe this is a habit everyone should embrace. It will sharpen your mind and improve your learning ability. Besides, knowledge alone cannot light the way. You must immerse yourself in the flow of practice.You cannot master driving merely by reading the life stories of great drivers. You must get behind the wheel and take the road yourself. You must dare to take risks. You can never master the road if fear of accident or death holds you back.I truly believe that those who live in the present, are the ones who live life to the fullest.That’s because they know that every moment lived has already slipped into the past. So, you must embrace the moment before it fades into the past. Otherwise, chasing the future only turns the present into the past. It's not a trade worth making. Most people stress so much about the future that their present quietly slips away. Before they know it, the moment has already faded into the past.Does he fear death?We know for a fact that life itself is a whispered promise of death. And yet, life is also destined to flourish. So, again, in the dance of life and death, only death is certain.So, why fear what is certain? That’s why you must embrace life, instead of fretting over death. That's how life will evolve and flourish, for it is uncertain. That’s why you must commit to enriching, refining, and elevating your life so you can live fully and with a purpose before death comes knocking. That's why you must let go of the fear of death. After all, death is inevitable, and there's no use worrying about when it will arrive. It will arrive when it's meant to.What gives him hope about the future?I am an optimist at heart. Pessimism and negativity are simply not ingrained in my mindset; they don't align with the way I think. That’s why I always gravitate toward the bright side instead.If we take a moment to reflect on the history of mankind, we see the incredible crises humans have overcome with resilience and strength. We also see the major changes humanity has embraced to evolve with the times. And this continuous transformation has carried on for millennia. In every era, it is in human nature to adapt to the ever-flowing current of change. And while our progress has gone through cycles of ups and downs, it is those people who can break free from the constraints of these historical cycles and outdated thinking patterns.It is they who can help humanity achieve extraordinary positive breakthroughs, with an unshackled speed and grace, transcending the limitations of the old way of doing things, by embracing change.