Prime Minister Narendra Modi had an in-depth conversation with American scientist Lex Fridman, which was released on Sunday. During the podcast, Fridman shared that he had fasted for 45 hours before the interview to prepare himself spiritually and mentally. “I am fasting right now. It’s been 45 hours, almost two days. Just water, no food, in honor of this conversation, to get into the right mindset and a spiritual level,” Fridman explained.
PM Modi expressed his surprise and gratitude upon learning that Fridman had fasted, saying, “I’m pleasantly surprised, especially since it feels like you’re fasting as a mark of respect for me. I truly appreciate you doing this.”
The Prime Minister then spoke about the benefits of fasting, noting that it can sharpen the senses, increase mental clarity, and promote self-discipline. “Fasting is a way to cultivate discipline… It’s a powerful tool to bring balance to both the inner and outer self. It profoundly shapes life. When you fast, your senses, especially smell, touch, and taste, become heightened. I’ve also found that fasting accelerates your thinking process, providing a fresh perspective. It encourages you to think outside the box,” he said.
PM Modi also recalled a moment when he met former US President Barack Obama while fasting. “After I became Prime Minister, I had a bilateral meeting at the White House with President Obama, and he had organized a formal dinner. As the meeting continued, someone said, ‘Please, join us for dinner.’ Another person replied, ‘But the Prime Minister doesn’t eat.’ This concerned them about how to host such a significant leader without serving food.”
He humorously added that he was instead given a glass of hot water. “When we sat down, they brought me a glass of hot water. I looked at President Obama and joked, ‘Look, my dinner has arrived!’ as I placed the glass in front of me.”
The next time PM Modi met Obama, he said, “He remembered I was fasting last time. He smiled and said, ‘Last time, you were fasting. This time, we’re having lunch. Since you’re not fasting, you’ll have to eat twice as much.’”
