Mann ki Baat: Narendra Modi and Barack Obama’s radio chat stick to common wavelength, a connected narrative

“US and India are natural partners because we have so much in common, two diverse countries linked by millions of proud Indian-Americans,” said Obama. He also reiterated America’s support in India’s efforts in the areas of clean energy, poverty reduction, women empowerment and providing access to electricity to millions of poor households.

But more than anything, the running narrative of the 35-minute address was somehow linked to the humble beginnings of both leaders and how despite arduous circumstances and adverse conditions, they managed to rise to the top to lead the world’s oldest and largest democracies. It is this commonality that could lead to an enduring friendship between the two leaders.

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In the interaction, Modi described his first trip to the United States as a tourist in the 90s and how he would pose for photographs outside an iron fence that guarded the White House. “I never imagined that years later I would walk into the White House to meet the President,” said Modi.

Obama, in his turn, reiterated that he too had once upon a time stood outside the same fence to admire the residence of the world’s most powerful leader. “I have stood outside the same fence of the White House and looked into it. I never imagined that I would visit, much less live there. I think both of us have been blessed with some extraordinary opportunity, coming from relatively humble beginnings,” remarked the US president.

“And when I think about what’s best in America and what’s best in India, the notion that a tea seller or somebody who’s born to a single mother like me, could end up leading our countries, is an extraordinary example of the opportunities that exist within our countries,” he said.

Obama also talked about how he dealt with stressful and frustrating situations during his days in office. “The only problems that got to my desk were those which were never solved,” he said. “But almost every day I meet a person who tells me ‘you made a difference to my life’. Someone would say ‘you helped me save my home through the economic crisis’. Sometimes they are thanking you for things that you don’t even remember. But I believe if you are helping someone else, it exceeds everything else and thus inspires you to do more,” Obama added.

Asked what he would tell his daughters back home, the US president said that he would tell them that “India is as magnificent as they imagined”. Obama explained that owing to exams and school engagements, his daughters were not able to travel to India in spite of their great interest to visit the country. He added that he would ask for advice from his wife Michelle on what his daughters would like to take home from India.

Modi, towards the end of the address, added that the government would bring out an e-book which would compile thoughts of both the leaders during the address. He also exhorted people across the country to send their thoughts after listening to the radio interaction using the hashtag #YesWeCan.