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How Modi changed mindset of a petroleum engineer from PDPU

Sultan Alimuddin met Modi multiple times during his time as a student

modi alimuddin Narendra Modi with Sultan Alimuddin in 2010 | Via Twitter

One of the key engagements for Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday was the convocation of Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University (PDPU) in Gandhinagar. Modi addressed the event via videoconference.

Convocations are an apt opportunity for many to take a stroll down memory lane. Sultan Alimuddin, a petroleum engineering alumnus from PDPU, was among those who spoke of his stay in Gujarat, but for a different reason.

In a series of tweets, Alimuddin described his encounters with Modi, when the latter was chief minister of the state.

Alimuddin tweeted, "Today is the Convocation of my Alma Mater, PDPU, Gandhinagar where PM @narendramodi is Chief Guest. As one of the earliest alumni of PDPU, I am filled with memories of my stay in Gujarat & meetings with Modi Sir, including when I presented him the Holy Quran."

Alimuddin claimed his first interaction with Modi happened by chance, courtesy Twitter. "My first interaction with @narendramodi sir happened by chance, after I sent him a Tweet on the functioning of his government and I was invited for a detailed meeting at CMO, Gujarat. That was the first of my 6 interactions with him. It includes travelling with him to Mehsana." The Ahmedabad Mirror reported in April 2010 about the meeting between Alimuddin and Modi.

The Ahmedabad Mirror reported the meeting between Modi and Alimuddin was scheduled for only 10 minutes but went on for another 35 minutes and Modi's answers to Alimuddin's queries on governance seemingly convinced the young student. It was at this meeting that Alimuddin gifted the Quran to Modi.

Alimuddin confessed that his impressions of Gujarat had been affected by the anti-Muslim riots of 2002. "I came to Gujarat in 2008 to study in PDPU. That time, I was not happy with the idea of coming to Gujarat. In my mind, Gujarat meant riots and earthquakes. My friends told me to keep away from Gujarat. But, the state and my chats with Modi Sir changed my perception and mindset," Alimuddin tweeted.

Alimuddin claimed Modi's approach to governance involved serving people, irrespective of faith. He tweeted, "I will never forget what Modi Sir told me in one of our meetings. He said, 'I have done nothing for Muslims. But, please go on to note that I have done nothing for Hindus, Jains, Sikhs either. I am responsible for 55 million Gujaratis and whatever I do, is aimed at serving them'.”

Alimuddin wrote that Modi "wants every youth to work for his heart. Follow your dreams with an open heart, mind and don’t give up".

"I won’t ever forget what Modi sir told me in December 2013: Do not give up, for the world will always put hurdles in your path. Make the hurdles your friend, if you want to make a mark in the long run. Follow your dreams, for nothing is unachievable in today’s world," Alimuddin tweeted.

Union Minister Smriti Irani was among those who retweeted Alimuddin's thread. She tweeted, "One of the many interesting stories which signify PM @narendramodi Ji’s commitment to ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ from the very beginning."

In September, Alimuddin released a book on Narendra Modi titled On Point: Narendra Modi—Upfront & Personal with a Common Man. The foreword for the book was written by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju.

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