In the most awaited episode of adventurist Bear Grylls’ Man Vs Wild featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that aired on Monday, 12 August, on Discovery Channel, the prime minister’s humble upbringing, strong connect with nature, and first vacation in 18 years found mention.
Set in Uttarakhand’s Jim Corbett National Park, the episode showed Grylls and Modi go out on an ‘adventure’, trekking 530 square kilometers of dense forest land, populated with elephants, tigers and crocodiles.
ON COOPERATING WITH NATURE
When Grylls said that they were about to embark on one of the most dangerous treks of Modi’s life, the prime minister remarked that the experience would be dangerous only if one went against nature.
ON MODI’S CHILDHOOD
A significant part of the episode was dedicated to Modi’s childhood and how his visit to the Himalayas impacted his life.
He also spoke at length about how he used dew drops to make detergent.
Modi also recounted the time he took a crocodile home but had to leave it back in the pond after his mother advised him to do so.
ON MODI’S FIRST VACATION
When Grylls asked how Modi defines nervousness, he said that he has never experienced jitters and that he views everything “positively”.
"My focus has always been development. This trip with you is my first vacation in 18 years," he said.
‘MY VALUES DON’T ALLOW ME TO TAKE A LIFE’
Grylls and Modi proceeded to make an improvised spear to tackle tigers – with the former remarking:
He then handed the spear to Prime Minister Modi as a precaution against the tigers, when the prime minister said, "My values won't allow me to take a life."
'OUTSIDERS CAN’T CLEAN INDIA’
“Jim Corbett National Park is a great place for people to experience nature. People who are interested in the environment and its issues should come and visit this lovely place,” said the prime minister, at the outset of his adventure with Grylls.
Modi became the second leader to be featured on the series, which was last aired in 2015, featuring former US President Barack Obama.
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