Teen compares Modi with Radhakrishnan during PM's metro ride: ‘Today, we have you…’

A teenager riding the Delhi Metro with Narendra Modi offered the prime minister a Teacher's Day comparison with Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, saying both had inspired students. Modi later shared video of the journey on his official X account.

“Every year on September 5, we celebrate Teacher's Day,” the teenager said. “We do not have Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan with us, who had inspired several students during his time. But today, we have you who inspires whole of India. For that, I thank you a lot.”

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Every year on September 5, we celebrate Teacher's Day. We do not have Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan with us, who had inspired several students during his time. But today, we have you who inspires whole of India. For that, I thank you a lot.

Modi was travelling to Shri Ram College of Commerce for its centenary celebrations. In the video, he shook hands with children, wished a toddler a happy birthday and spoke with passengers from different age groups. He asked one student whether young people discussed the country's progress and encouraged students to read biographies and autobiographies of sportspersons, artists and scientists.

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India moved from policy paralysis to policy dynamism.

The prime minister also spoke with a woman from Kashi and asked whether local residents faced any problems. His metro ride became part of a broader appearance at SRCC, where he presented his account of India's political and economic change.

Modi said India had moved from “policy paralysis” to “policy dynamism” over 13 years. Referring to his previous SRCC address in February 2013, when his party was in opposition, he said that speech had set off a “wave.” He described India at that time as facing terror attacks, inflation, corruption, low growth, high inflation, scams, border pressure from Pakistan and policy paralysis. He said the country had been viewed internationally as part of the “Fragile Five.”

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India in 2013 was dealing with a series of challenges, including terror attacks, inflation and corruption. Growth was at its lowest and inflation was at the peak.

Modi said India now responds with an attack if Pakistan attempts one, and that Naxalism had been rooted out. Opposition parties also criticised remarks he made at SRCC, including references to “Dimagi Naxal” and “Naraz fufa.”

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India now responds with an attack if Pakistan even tries to attack.