#Thread on how Modi functions.
Key: He does not read any material before taking decisions. Translated from his interview with Madhu Kishwar in 2014:
Key: He does not read any material before taking decisions. Translated from his interview with Madhu Kishwar in 2014:
“Three or four days after I took office, the chief secretary came to me. He brought a heap of files this tall (gesturing about three feet high). They must have weighed 15 or 20 kilos. The peon left them on my table.
The chief secretary sat and said to me: ‘This is the file for Narmada’ — I can remember Narmada but there were three other files also.
The CS said: ‘These are on Gujarat’s vital and sensitive issues. Take the time out to read them. You may need to speak on, and take a position on, at any time and address all these issues.’
I kept looking up and down the height of the stack three or four times. I said to him: ‘You leave these here and we shall meet in a few days.’
I did not even open these files. They stayed where they were. A voice came to me that I could not work through academics study (sic).
I did not even open these files. They stayed where they were. A voice came to me that I could not work through academics study (sic).
I can’t do that. That voice came from within.
I said to the three officers who were working with me that ‘the CS has given these to me. I will not be able to read so much. First, you people make me understand what masala (sic) the files contain.
I said to the three officers who were working with me that ‘the CS has given these to me. I will not be able to read so much. First, you people make me understand what masala (sic) the files contain.
If I begin reading all this material, there’s no end to it. It is not in my nature (prakruti) to read files.’
Three or four days later the CS returned.
Three or four days later the CS returned.
I said to him: ‘Tell me what the important things are in these files.’ He did so and I said: ‘This much is sufficient for me, you can take the files back.’
After that I have never had to be briefed on these issues, and it’s been 13 years since.
After that I have never had to be briefed on these issues, and it’s been 13 years since.
I had such ability that I was able to grasp the granularity of the issues. Such things left an impact on the officers. I don’t argue. I am a good listener. Don’t go by my reputation outside: I listen a lot.
I can say today that if in my development reading played a 30 per cent role then listening had a 70 per cent role. What I hear, I analyse, and classify the ‘maal’ (sic) in different boxes in my mind.
This takes me no time and when needed I can retrieve it.
This takes me no time and when needed I can retrieve it.
This extra method (vidha) I have been able to develop. Even today if my officers show me some paper, I say: ‘Tell me what’s in it in two minutes. For me two minutes is sufficient for a 10-page document. This skill is something I have developed.’”
He combines high certitude (‘decisiveness’) with low levels of input.
