Describing himself as "aam aadmi", Prime Minister Manmohan Singh says he has reached the top post because of his education which plays an important role in moulding one's life. "I am an aam aadmi (common man). If I can become the Prime Minister, then so can you. I came from a very ordinary, lower-middle class family. It is because of my education that I am what I am So I think education has played a very important role in making me what I am," the economist-turned-Prime Minister said during a talk organized by CNN-IBN with a group of children at his residence on the occasion of Children's Day. He was asked how an aam aadmi can become a Prime Minister.
Singh was dismissive of the opposition calling him a "weak" Prime Minister. "It does not make much of a difference to me. I think if I am doing something right, then my conscience will tell me that. To criticise is the opposition's job. I am not afraid of that," he said.
Appearing relaxed, 77-year-old Singh, answered with ease, questions from children on Maoists violence, coalition politics, move to abolish tenth board examination, poor students not getting education, his fondness for blue turban and his favourite sweet.
Giving rare insights to his formative years, Singh recalled that he was beaten by his father who suspected him of stealing a watch and some money which were missing when some guests had come to their home. "I got a thrashing from him but later when my parents got to know that it was someone else, they felt very sorry about punishing me", he said.
The Prime Minister also sought to clear the mystery over his trade mark blue turban. "I like the colour blue since childhoold. I used to wear different colour turbans till 4-5 years ago, but now I am used to wearing blue colour turbans". Asked whether he liked singing, Singh said he was very fond of music. "My wife is a very good singer. She used to recite the Gurbani when we were young. Apart from that, I am also fond of other music like ghazals, especially by Mirza Ghalib", he said.
The students were surprised when the Prime Minister said that he does not have Orkut, Facebook or an email account. "I dont have any of them but I am told the details about what the Prime Minister is doing are available on my website". "Suji ka halwa", was his favourite sweet dish, Singh said.
Singh was unfazed by when a student asked why Indians win Nobel Prize only after they leave the country. "In India we don't have an atmosphere where much importance is given to people who can think out of the box", he said adding the trend of questioning things has not been part of the education system.
