Reflecting on his journey in public service during a massive public gathering in Navsari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a deeply emotional anecdote from his early days as Chief Minister of Gujarat. He recounted the moment when he personally guided a young girl from a tribal family by the hand to a local school, and how, years later, that very same child returned to meet him dressed as a nurse.
Elaborating on those formative years, he recalled spearheading the Kanya Kelwani campaign, travelling from village to village to urge parents to prioritize their daughters' education. Describing the harsh conditions of those journeys, he noted that during the scorching heat of mid-June, temperatures soared to 44 degrees Celsius. Many rural settlements lacked round-the-clock electricity and did not even have ceiling fans to beat the heat. Despite this, he would take young girls by the hand, walk them to their classrooms, and urge their families to ensure they stayed in school.
He pointed out that during those times, such grassroots efforts rarely made headlines in newspapers or received extensive television coverage. However, when he revisited those regions years later, those children had grown up. They would approach him carrying old photographs, reminding him that he was the one who had once walked them to school, and proudly sharing that they were now nursing students nearing the completion of their final year.
The Prime Minister stated that such encounters provide a profound sense of fulfillment that far outweighs the sheer number of years spent in public life. Seeing a daughter from a marginalized or tribal background achieve success two decades later remains one of the most rewarding experiences of his journey.
He concluded by noting that dedicated service rendered without expectations often bears fruit years down the line, and the blessings of the people serve as the ultimate source of renewed energy. He emphasized that the true objective of governance, politics, and public office should always be dedicated service to ordinary citizens.
