Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath recently released a podcast featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which has garnered significant attention across digital platforms. Conducted mostly in Hindi, the episode has led to online discussions about the language used.
At the start of the podcast, Kamath, a Bengaluru native, explained to the Prime Minister that his Hindi wasn’t fluent. “Sir, my Hindi isn’t very fluent. I’m a South Indian, raised in Bengaluru. My mother is from Mysuru, where Kannada is spoken, and my father is from near Mangaluru,” Kamath said, adding that despite learning Hindi in school, he struggles with fluency.
Kamath humorously suggested that communication isn’t always verbal, highlighting body language as an effective means of interaction. Modi responded supportively, noting that he too isn’t a native Hindi speaker, which made the conversation flow naturally. He even shared his childhood experiences of learning Hindi while selling tea at a railway station.
While the conversation was well-received, some social media users criticized the choice of Hindi, as Kamath usually hosts his podcasts in English to appeal to a global audience. The episode was made accessible with subtitles in both English and Hindi.
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