PM Modi Recalls 2001 Incident When Women Journalists Demanded Sweets Over His Gujarat CM Appointment

Speaking at the meeting held at the BJP office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while recalling his 25 years as Chief Minister held last month, said that in 2001 only a few top party leaders knew about his elevation as the Chief Minister of Gujarat.

He said, "One day, a group of journalists came rushing into my room. Normally, journalists don't behave like this with me. But that day, they came straight in. At that time, there was a brigade of women journalists. They had a lot of influence. They grabbed me by the throat and said, 'Give me sweets.' I asked why they wanted sweets.

They said, 'You're going to become the Chief Minister of Gujarat.' I told them I didn't know. They replied that they knew and I was lying." Modi said, "Very few people knew about it at that time, but that group of journalists had already received the information. Well, their information was correct, but it was very difficult for me to respond."

Modi said that advancing technology has dramatically changed the nature of the media. This has made the work of traditional media somewhat easier, but it has also posed entirely new challenges.

Earlier, there was a struggle for a large OV van, but today, the mobile phone itself has become the OV van. Today, everyone has their own platform, their own channel, and their own podcast. Just as it was once said that cricket experts were found on every street in India, similarly, nowadays, experts on every news story are available on every street.

It is noteworthy that in recent times, the way opinions are being presented without accurate information is sometimes dangerous. Concerns are being expressed on various platforms about the growth of this so-called media.

However, praising the media for keeping Indian democracy vibrant, the Prime Minister said that even in adverse circumstances, our field reporters reach the spot to cover everything from floods, disasters, and earthquakes.

Enumerating the benefits of deadlines for news in the media, Modi said that similarly, the government has set a deadline of 2047 to make India a developed nation. He sought the media's support in meeting the deadline.

He stated that this could be achieved even before 2047. Positive engagement is needed in every field. Highlighting the changes that have occurred in the 12 years since 2014, he said that the media should also focus on Indian news.

He stated that the media plays a crucial role. In the past, the media has contributed to many campaigns. Now, the same energy is needed to make India drug-free.