Poverty was my first inspiration: Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi says poverty was the first inspiration in his life, triggering a commitment "to do something for the poor".

Asked who had influenced him the most, Modi recalled his poverty-filled younger years in an interview to Time magazine.

"I was born in a very poor family. I used to sell tea in a railway coach as a child. My mother used to wash utensils and do lowly household work in the houses of others to earn a livelihood.

"I have seen poverty very closely. I have lived in poverty. As a child, my entire childhood was steeped in poverty. For me, poverty, in a way, was the first inspiration of my life, a commitment to do something for the poor," said Modi, who became the prime minister in May last year.

"I decided that I would not live for myself but would live for others and work for them.

"My experience of growing up in poverty deeply impacted my childhood. Then, at the age of 12 or 13, I started reading the works of Swami Vivekananda.

"That gave me courage and a vision, it sharpened and deepened my sensitivities and gave me a new perspective and a direction in life.

"At the age of 15 or 16, I decided to dedicate myself to others and till date I am continuing to follow that decision," he said.