PM Modi uses couplets, poetry to counter opposition. Watch video

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address in the Lok Sabha was packed with truth-backed jabs at the opposition and iconic references to Indian poetry.

New Delhi, Feb 08: To make their points, Parliamentarians have often showcased their literary side time and again. From the Prime Minister to other members, all have used poetry to make their point in the Parliament.

Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi read out couplets of Hindi satirist Kaka Hathrasi and poet Dushyant Kumar to target the Opposition, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, in Lok Sabha.

Responding to a debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address in the lower house of Parliament, Modi said the world was looking at India with hope amid instability in some parts of the globe due to the once-in-a-century pandemic and conflicts.

''But some people who are neck deep in frustration refuse to accept India's growth story. They cannot see the achievements of 140 crore Indians,'' Modi said, targeting the Opposition.

He said Kaka Hathrasi had written something very interesting. ''Aaga-peecha dekh kar, kyon hote gamgin, jaisi jiski bhavna, vaisa dikhe scene (why be sad looking here and there, one will view a scene according to one's perspective).''

On another occasion, the prime minister quoted poet Dushyant Kumar, ''Tumhaare paanv ke neeche koi zameen nahin, kamaal ye hai ki phir bhi tumhen yaqeen nahin (no ground under your feet, amazing that you still don't believe it).''

The prime minister drew attention of the House to the decade before 2014 and said that the years between 2004 to 2014 were burdened with scams, and at the same time there were terror attacks taking place in various parts of the country.

This decade saw the decline of the Indian economy and the Indian voice grew very feeble on global fora. The era was marked by ''mauke mein musibat'' (adversity in opportunity).

On Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi had led a blistering opposition attack in Lok Sabha over the Hindenburg report, claiming that the meteoric rise in Gautam Adani's fortunes happened after the BJP came to power in 2014 as he climbed the global rich list from the 609th to the second spot eventually.

PM Modi's poetic jibes

Prime Minister is known for his speeches, and his use of couplets and poems is a distinctive aspect of his speeches. In the Indian Parliament, Prime Minister Modi has often used couplets to drive home his point and add a touch of humor to his speeches.

One famous example of Prime Minister Modi's use of couplets in Parliament is his reference to the poet Mirza Ghalib, in which he quoted a couplet to explain the need for transparency in governance. The couplet, which goes, "Ghairat se badhkar ghalat nahin hota, ghalat se badhkar koi bhala nahin hota" (There's nothing worse than arrogance, and nothing better than rectifying mistakes), was used to highlight the importance of acknowledging and rectifying mistakes in governance.

Another example of Prime Minister Modi's use of couplets in Parliament is his reference to the famous poet, Kabir. In a speech, he quoted a couplet from Kabir to stress the importance of being self-reliant and not depending on others for one's success.

Prime Minister Modi's use of couplets in Parliament has been well-received by the members of Parliament and the public. His speeches, infused with poetry and humor, have become a signature style, and have helped to endear him to the masses.