Bengaluru: For dozens of schoolchildren the journey on Vande Bharat train was special. When Prime Minister Narendra Modi stepped in and began speaking to them like an old friend, it turned into a memory they say will last a lifetime.
From a packed schedule that included the inauguration of the Namma Metro Yellow Line and multiple railway projects, Prime Minister Modi took time out to sit with the children, share a few laughs and listen to their stories. "He cracked jokes, asked about our hobbies, and made us feel like we were his own family," said a beaming Jeshma, a student selected to travel on the train.
The Prime Minister began each conversation with introductions. For one student, a state-level Taekwondo player, it was a chance to share her sporting journey — from Grade 6 training sessions in the railway colony to representing her state. "He asked me how I started and praised my dedication," she said, adding that she also told him about being a qualified guide.
Another child told Modi she aspired to crack the UPSC and was also a singer. "He smiled and said, 'So you want a government job too,'" she recalled.
A young dancer and sports enthusiast said her nervousness vanished when Modi asked her how she liked the Vande Bharat on her first ride. "I told him it was comfortable and clean. He told me to share my experience with my family."
The conversations went beyond pleasantries. Several children said they were inspired by Modi’s emphasis on Make in India and indigenous technology. One noted his "fearless but thoughtful decision-making" as something she wanted to emulate. "He listens before he decides — that’s a quality I admire," she said.
Earlier in the day the Prime Minister had taken a metro ride from RV Road (Ragigudda) to Konappana Agrahara, marking the launch of the Yellow Line. But for the children, the true highlight of the day was the chance to meet and talk to him without any rush. "It never felt like he was in a hurry. He spoke to almost everyone," said a student who plays cricket. "I didn’t think I would get to speak to him, but when I did, it felt so special."
As the train rolled on, the laughter and chatter inside its coaches carried a different energy — one born of inspiration, pride, and the joy of a rare personal connection with the country's leader. "We will never forget this day," one child said, her voice brimming with excitement. "It wasn’t just a train ride — it was a journey we will carry in our hearts forever."
