Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman shared an anecdote from her first budget speech, and it wasn’t the experience itself but about what happened afterwards. In a rare and softer glimpse of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she revealed how he personally checked on her well-being after her speech.
FM received call from PM Modi after budget speech
The video, which runs for about 1 minute and 17 seconds, was posted on Instagram with the hashtag #MyModiStory to mark PM Modi’s 75th birthday on Wednesday, September 17.
“It was my first budget speech,” she started, before explaining, “It was a two-and-a-half-hour budget speech and I didn’t know it was going to take so long, but never mind, I hadn’t had water before coming and during the session also, I didn’t drink and I was dehydrated.”
She further described how, towards the end, she had to skip reading four or five paragraphs and instead requested, “Honourable Speaker, please take it as read; I can’t read it.”
‘Why didn’t you…?’ asked PM Modi
Sitharaman recounted that right after delivering her maiden budget speech, PM Modi called her even before she reached home and asked, “What have you done? Why didn’t you take care of yourself?” and then disconnected the call.
PM Modi’s concern didn’t stop at the phone call. He even sent his personal doctor to attend to her and ensure her vitals were checked.
“And after that, periodically, even today, he reminds me, are you taking care of yourself?” she further added, sharing that this continued concern over time moved her deeply.
Sitharaman expressed that he didn’t have to do it, but he still takes care of his people and makes sure that they are taking care of themselves.
He’s seen as a tough leader, but…
“People see PM Modi as a strong, serious, and determined leader, and yes, he is all of that. But I have also seen another side of him, one that is tender, thoughtful, and humane,” she went on to say.
Sitharaman concluded, “So, that care, that tenderness in him, he’s seen as a tough, serious, big leader, but he’s got that human element in him, which I want to hold.”
The 66-year-old Union Minister remarked that this combination of strength and compassion makes PM Modi different from other leaders.
‘Great leader, the best’: Social media users
While some reacted with heart emoticons, others requested her to defer the ITR deadline as there’s a glitch in the portal.
“We are lucky to have a committed person like you heading the finance ministry! Under the able leadership of PM Modi, may our country become Vishwaguru that we intend to be,” said one social media user.
Another added, “Great leader. The best.”
“Best mass speech, madam,” commented a third.