“See, unless you feel from within that “I am working for my country, I am giving something new to the nation,” the work won’t have the same meaning. The person who launched the first space satellite must have felt that way, and today hundreds of satellites are being launched.” PM Modi
It is indeed inspiring to see Prime Minister Narendra Modi interact with the incredible team making India’s first bullet train a reality in Surat, Gujarat. This isn’t just about speed; it’s about national pride and building a legacy!
One can feel the dedication of the engineers and workers, many of whom are working far from home for the first time. One employee, all the way from Kerala, described being part of the project as a ‘dream’ and a source of immense pride for his family.
Following is the English rendering of PM’s interaction with the team
Team Member: The bullet train is our identity. This achievement belongs to you, Modi ji, and to us.
Prime Minister: What do you think? Is the speed fine? Are you working according to the timetable you had set, or are you facing any difficulties?
Team Member: No sir, we are not facing any difficulties.
Prime Minister: What would you like to say?
Team Member: I am from Kerala. I am working in Section-2, Navsari Noise (barrier factory).
Prime Minister: Is this your first time in Gujarat?
Team Member: Yes sir. I am working here in Section-2 at the noise barrier factory, observing the robotic unit. The rebar cage for the noise barrier is there where we are welding it with the help of robots.
Prime Minister: What do you feel about building this bullet train, being part of the first bullet train project in Bharat? What do you think personally? What do you tell your family?
Team Member: Sir, it feels like a dream. The work I am doing now will be very useful in the future. It is a proud moment for my family and for me, sir.
Prime Minister: See, unless you feel from within that “I am working for my country, I am giving something new to the nation,” the work won’t have the same meaning. The person who launched the first space satellite must have felt that way, and today hundreds of satellites are being launched.
Team Member: Namaste sir, my name is Shruti. I am from Bengaluru, and I am the Lead Engineering Manager. I look after design and engineering control. As you said, whatever initial planning and implementation happens, it begins in the earlier stages. Then as we move towards execution, we check the pros and cons at every step. And if something isn’t working, we ask: why isn’t it working? First, we try to find a solution. If even then we cannot, we look for alternative solutions. That’s how we progress step by step, sir.
Prime Minister: If your experiences are recorded, and a kind of “blue book” is prepared, it will help the country a lot as we move toward building more bullet trains. We wouldn’t want everyone to start from scratch each time. The learnings from here should be replicated elsewhere. But replication is only possible when there is knowledge of why a particular method is used. Otherwise, people will simply copy without understanding. If you maintain such a record, it will even help students in the future. You will dedicate your life here, and leave something valuable for the nation.
Team Member: We want neither fame nor reward. We only want the nation to progress. That is our desire.
Prime Minister: Wah!
Team Member: Modi ji, may all your dreams come true. May the country’s name always rise high, again and again. The bullet train is our identity; the bullet train is our identity. This achievement is yours and ours, Modi ji.
Key takeaways from the interaction:
Sense of Ownership: The team sees the bullet train not just as a job, but as their ‘identity’ and an ‘achievement’ they share with the nation.
The Power of Process: Shruti, the Lead Engineering Manager from Bengaluru, highlighted the meticulous planning and problem-solving involved—checking pros, cons, and finding solutions at every step.
Leaving a Legacy: PM Modi emphasized the critical need to document these experiences and learnings into a “blue book”. This isn’t just for this project; it’s about creating a national knowledge base, so future infrastructure projects don’t have to start from scratch. It’s about leaving something valuable for the next generation of students and engineers.
The true motivation: As one team member put it: “We only want the nation to progress.” That spirit is what will drive India forward.
Hats off to every engineer, designer, and worker on this groundbreaking project! You are laying the tracks for a New India.
Images and the English Rendering of the conversation: Courtesy of PIB
