Narendra Modi was uncomfortable when the chief secretary of Gujarat called him 'saheb'. Back in 2001, after taking over as the chief minister for the first time, Modi did not know the ways of the state secretariat.
In a rare interview aired on NewsX on Saturday night, Modi opened up on his role as an administrator and gave glimpses of his political journey.
The interview, NewsX said, was excerpts of footage recorded by academician and writer Madhu Kishwar.
After taking charge, he could not understand how it was possible for a chief minister to clear so many files, the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP's) prime minister nominee for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections said in the interview.
Modi also said he went to IIM-Ahmedabad to take lessons in management.
But, he was a quick learner. Soon, the administrator in him took the centre stage. Modi transferred 12-15 officials irrespective of their positions in one go, sending tremors through the bureaucracy.
The same person was jolted by the Gujarat earthquake that killed around 30,000 people and destroyed 12 lakh houses in 2001.
He told the interviewer that his priority was rehabilitation and relief. According to Modi, he appointed efficient officials and demanded results.
The state government set up committees to oversee the rebuilding of schools while Modi travelled across the state.
{{/usCountry}}The state government set up committees to oversee the rebuilding of schools while Modi travelled across the state.
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