Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has said he is no longer able to work as much as he used to and that responsibility should now be handed over to the younger generation. He made the remarks while addressing tribal students at the ‘Eklavya Ekal Vidyalaya Teacher-Supervisor Training Class’ programme in Katol, Nagpur.
Gadkari’s remarks have triggered discussions in political circles in Maharashtra and at the Centre. They come amid speculation that Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis could move to Delhi.
Focused on improving health after Covid
Gadkari also recalled his lifestyle during his younger days. He said, “In my youth, my lifestyle was very undisciplined. While working for the party, I would often eat samosas in the evening and go to sleep. But after Covid, I started paying attention to my health.”
Advising young people to prioritise their health, he said, “Now I wake up every morning and exercise and do pranayama for two and a half hours. My trainer makes me work out. All of you should also exercise and do pranayama for at least half an hour every day.”
‘If health is not good, power and wealth are useless’
Emphasising the importance of good health and the uncertainty of life, Gadkari said, “Everything has value only when the body is healthy. If your health deteriorates, what is the use of power, wealth, beauty or knowledge?”
He added, “Suppose you are sitting here and suffer a heart attack the very next minute. What will go with you? Neither your car, bungalow, wife nor children. A person comes into this world empty-handed and leaves empty-handed.”
Recalled days of travelling on scooters
Gadkari also recalled his early days in politics, saying that he and his colleagues would travel on bicycles and scooters while working for the party.
He said an acquaintance owned an Ambassador car, and whenever senior party leaders arrived at the airport, they would make the car owner the party president so that he could arrange their transport.
Recalling his own scooter, Gadkari said, “I had a Luna, which used to make a ‘coo-coo’ sound. Two people would sit on it. Later, we got a Vijay scooter, on which four of us would travel. To avoid the police, those sitting at the back would cover the number plate with their hands.”
‘No tribal village should remain in darkness’
At the event, Gadkari praised the social work being carried out by the Eklavya Ekal Vidyalaya organisation. He said it was essential to take education to remote tribal areas of Maharashtra.
“One day, this campaign will become so widespread that no tribal village in the state will remain in darkness. The light of education will reach every home,” he said.
Calling on young people to develop their skills and personalities, Gadkari said they should use their abilities to improve the lives of poor and marginalised communities.
Remarks stir political debate in Maharashtra
Gadkari’s comments are being linked to recent speculation about Devendra Fadnavis potentially moving to central politics. Against this backdrop, his remarks about handing responsibility to the younger generation have attracted attention in Maharashtra’s political circles.
