Simplicity Over Splendor: Fadnavis Remembers His First Meeting With PM Modi

As India prepares to celebrate Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 75th birthday on September 17, 2025, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has shared a deeply personal anecdote that has struck a chord across political and public circles. In a heartfelt post on social media, Fadnavis recounted his first meeting with Modi during a party training event in Nagpur—an encounter that left a lasting impression and shaped his perception of leadership.

 

The story, shared under the hashtag #MyModiStory, offers a rare glimpse into the early days of Modi’s political journey and highlights the values that continue to define his public persona: humility, simplicity, and unwavering commitment to service.

 

Key Highlights from Fadnavis’s Reflection

 

The meeting took place during an Abhyaas Varg (training camp) in Reshimbagh, Nagpur, when Fadnavis was a young Mayor and president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha.

 

Modi chose to stay in a modest room meant for Sangh karyakartas rather than the rest house prepared for dignitaries.

 

He personally oversaw event arrangements, ensuring comfort for all participants.

 

Fadnavis described Modi as a leader who valued simplicity over luxury and service over status.

 

The Setting: A Camp in Reshimbagh

 

A Young Organizer Meets a Senior Leader

 

Fadnavis was tasked with organizing the Abhyaas Varg, a training camp for BJP and RSS cadres.

 

Proper accommodations were arranged for all senior leaders, including rest houses and logistical support.

 

Modi arrived and first paid his respects at Dr. Hedgewar’s memorial, a symbolic gesture reflecting his ideological roots.

 

A Choice That Spoke Volumes

 

When asked where he would prefer to stay, Modi declined the rest house and opted for a small room inside the Reshimbagh premises.

 

The room was typically reserved for grassroots workers, not senior dignitaries.

 

This decision, Fadnavis noted, revealed Modi’s humility and deep connection with the Sangh tradition.

 

Leadership Through Action

 

Modi’s presence at the camp was not passive—he actively monitored arrangements and ensured that every participant was well taken care of.

 

His attention to detail and concern for others stood out to Fadnavis, who was still learning the ropes of political leadership.

 

The experience left a lasting impression, shaping Fadnavis’s understanding of what it means to lead with purpose and humility.

 

Public Reaction and Political Symbolism

 

The anecdote has resonated widely, especially as the BJP gears up for Seva Pakhwara, a fortnight of welfare initiatives to mark Modi’s birthday.

 

Thousands of ITI students across Maharashtra will participate in a massive cleanliness campaign, cleaning 750 villages as a tribute to Modi’s service ethos.

 

Fadnavis will serve as the campaign’s chief mentor, reinforcing the values he first witnessed in Nagpur.

 

A Leader’s Legacy in Focus

 

Born in Vadnagar, Gujarat, Modi began his journey of public service at age 17, eventually joining the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

 

His rise from humble beginnings to national leadership has often been framed around themes of discipline, simplicity, and dedication.

 

Fadnavis’s story adds a personal layer to this narrative, offering insight into the values that have guided Modi’s path.

 

Conclusion

 

Devendra Fadnavis’s recollection of his first meeting with Prime Minister Modi is more than a nostalgic memory—it’s a reflection of the enduring principles that define leadership. In choosing simplicity over comfort and service over status, Modi left an indelible mark on a young political aspirant. As India celebrates his 75th birthday, stories like these remind the nation of the values that continue to shape its leadership.

 

Sources: News18, ENewsTime