‘People told time by his footsteps’: PM Modi talks about his father’s discipline in podcast with Lex Fridman

NEW DELHI: In a deeply personal conversation with Lex Fridman, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reflected on his humble beginnings, sharing memories of his father’s discipline, his mother’s sacrifices and the challenges of poverty.
PM Modi said grew up in a one-room house with a mud floor. He described his early life as one of scarcity but not suffering, saying that despite financial struggles, his family never felt burdened by poverty.
Recalling his father

Damodardas Modi

, the Prime Minister painted a vivid picture of his hardworking nature and strict discipline.
"Every morning, around 4:00 or 4:30 am, he would leave the house, walk long distances, visit several temples, and then reach his shop," PM Modi said.

He described how his father’s traditional leather shoes made a distinct tock, tock, tock sound as he walked through the village.
"People in the village used to say that they could tell the time just by hearing his footsteps—‘Oh yes, Mr. Damodar is on his way.’ Such was his discipline," he recalled.
Despite working tirelessly late into the night, PM Modi’s father and mother ensured their children never felt the weight of poverty.
First pair of shoes
PM Modi revealed that growing up, he and his siblings did not even think about things like shoes.
"Someone who is used to wearing fine shoes will feel their absence when they don’t have them. But for us, we had never worn shoes in our lives, so we didn’t even know they were a big deal," he explained.
One day, his uncle was surprised to see him going to school barefoot and immediately bought him a pair of white canvas shoes, which cost about 10 or 12 rupees at the time. However, keeping them clean was a challenge.
"In the evening, after school, I would collect leftover chalk pieces from classrooms, soak them in water, mix them into a paste, and polish my shoes with it to make them bright white again," he shared.
This commitment to cleanliness and self-reliance extended to his school uniform as well. Lacking an iron, PM Modi found a unique way to press his clothes.
"I would heat up water in a copper pot, hold it with tongs, and press my clothes myself before heading off to school," he said.
Childhood of hardships without complaints
Despite their modest means, PM Modi said his family never complained or compared themselves to others. They found joy in their simple lives and focused on hard work and perseverance.
"We lived carefree, enjoying whatever little we had, and kept working hard. Never once did we complain about these things," he said.
PM Modi also credited his mother’s kindness and spirit of service for shaping his values. She treated children with home remedies every morning, waking up at 5 am to help others in need.
"A sense of empathy for society, the desire to do good for others—these values were instilled in me by my family," he said.
PM Modi also reflected on how his life remained largely unknown until he became chief minister of Gujarat.
"When I took my oath, reporters went to my village, met my childhood friends, and captured videos of my home. That’s when people started asking, ‘Who is this and what background does he come from?’" he said.