I reached PM's post by selling tea, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday described himself as a simple man, saying that he focuses on small things because of his humble upbringing.

Addressing Indian Americans at the Madison Square Garden here, Prime Minister Modi said, "When people ask me about my 'bigger vision', I tell them that I reached the post of Prime Minister by selling tea. I am a simple man, so I focus on small things."

Talking of his mission to eradicate public defecation, the Prime Minister added, "People may wonder whether this is a Prime Minister's duty, but I have decided to construct toilets in the country."

The Prime Minister also wondered aloud why punctuality in government offices was seen as an exception rather than a duty, so much so that instances of government servants reaching their offices on time had created headlines in the media.

"Government officers reaching on time was news to the people of India. But such were the conditions that our country was in," he said.