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From appearing in his first podcast interview to using terms like “concert economy”, PM Narendra Modi has kickstarted 2025 by making an effort to woo and live by the rules of his young voter base
PM Narendra Modi visits an exhibition at the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025, in New Delhi. (Image: PMO via PTI)
It was a year ago that Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a lesson in wanderlust to Gen Z, showing them how he is the “ultimate Zen mentor”. So, it is only fitting that he started 2025 with ideas that this generation would relate to – from appearing in his first podcast interview to using terms like “concert economy”.
In February 2024, MyGovIndia, the central government’s citizen engagement platform, posted a video of Modi captioned: “PM Modi Teaching GEN-Z How To be Truly ZEN-JI.” The idea was to give a glimpse of how he finds his Zen – a phrase that means to seek inner peace – in retreating to the mountains, exploring underwater marvels, and basking in nature’s glory.
“Gen Z, get your Zen on with PM Narendra Modi! From finding peace on mountain peaks to exploring the depths of Lakshadweep’s waters, he’s the ultimate Zen-ji guiding us. Let’s vibe with the wild & reach for the skies – PM Modi’s the ultimate Zen mentor,” the post on Facebook read.
Last year, he called Gen Z the ‘Amrit generation’, at a time when the Lok Sabha elections were a mere months away. It is not surprising then that he has managed to capture the imagination of a large portion of generation Z – a general term used to describe those born in the late 1990s, particularly those who came of age (turned 18 and became eligible voters) in the Modi era in India.
“Even though the present generation is referred to as Gen Z, I prefer to call you the Amrit generation,” he had said, coining a new term for the generation and stressing on their importance in India’s development in the next 25 years.
It is not surprising then that youngsters are a “top priority” for the prime minister as they have “the ability to lead the world”. But, he ensures that he is keyed into their hopes and aspirations, and understands the pulse of almost half of India’s population that is younger than 25 years of age.
Only a few weeks ago, at the ‘Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue’, he reiterated that India’s youth will make it a developed nation economically, socially, and culturally empowered. “The strength of India’s youth will make India a developed nation. Big targets have to be set for a country to march forward… This is what today’s India is doing,” he said.
The event was held on Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary, which is observed as National Youth Day. The PM invoked the Hindu monk, who believed in the young generation to find solutions to the problems of today.
HEALTH IS WEALTH
Modi’s clarion call to fight obesity and reduce oil consumption echoed the idea of a New Year-like resolution. In his recent address at the opening ceremony of the 38th National Games in Dehradun, he discussed how the problem of obesity is increasing rapidly in the country and is a matter of concern since it increases the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
He further suggested people to include physical activity in their routine to fight diseases. Talking about the Fit India Movement, he spoke about the importance of exercise and diet with focus on balanced intake.
The prime minister also underlined the importance of reducing unhealthy fat and oil in food, and gave the novel suggestion of reducing daily oil consumption by 10 per cent. He said edible oil is a key factor for rising obesity and urged for reduced intake in all households.
“In our homes, ration comes at the beginning of the month. Till now, if you used to bring home two litres of cooking oil every month, then reduce it by at least 10%. Reduce the amount of oil we use every day by 10%,” he said.
‘CONCERT ECONOMY’
While Chris Martin-fronted band Coldplay captured hearts with their Mumbai and Ahmedabad concerts, it gave Modi an opportunity to talk about “concert economy”. In another outreach to youngsters, he noted the success of the events and said India has immense possibilities in the concert economy.
He urged the state governments and the private sector to invest in creating the necessary infrastructure and skills for hosting live events. Addressing the ‘Utkarsh Odisha, Make in Odisha Conclave’ in Bhubaneswar’s Janata Maidan, he said in the last 10 years, the demand for live events has increased.
“A country that has such a rich heritage of music, dance and storytelling and a huge pool of youngsters who are big consumers of concerts, there are many possibilities in the concert economy. You have witnessed that in the last 10 years, the demand and trend for live events have increased. Over the last few days, you must have seen the beautiful pictures of Coldplay concerts in Mumbai and Ahmedabad. This proves that there is a massive scope for concerts in India,” he said.
He added: “Big artistes from around the world are attracted to India. I expect the state and the private sector to focus on developing necessary infrastructure and skills for the concert economy.”
The PM said next month, India will host the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) for the first time, and showcase the country’s creative power to the world. He stressed that such events generate revenue and shape perceptions, contributing to the economy’s growth.