PM Modi conveys Deepavali greetings to Sam Pitroda, commends Indian media for voicing diverse opinions
Modi wishes Diwali to Sam Pitroda, calling him a "Gujarati friend," amid warm exchanges with the critic and his wife.
Pitroda said a video statement on X that he might have issues with Modi’s views of the world and ideology, but his disagreement was not with the individual
Updated - November 13, 2026 09:03 am IST - New Delhi
Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda. File | Photo Credit: PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (November 12, 2026) extended Deepavali greetings to Sam Pitroda after the Indian Overseas Congress president described him as a “Gujarati friend”.
Responding to a video statement by Mr. Pitroda on X, Mr. Modi said: “Happy Diwali and Nutan Varsh Abhinandan to you Sam Bhai and to Anjana Ben. Praying for a joyful and healthy year ahead. Jai Jagannath!”
Happy Diwali and Nutan Varsh Abhinandan to you Sam Bhai and to Anjana Ben. Praying for a joyful and healthy year ahead. Jai Jagannath! @sampitroda— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 12, 2026
Mr. Pitroda had said: “He (Mr. Modi) is a Gujarati friend. I respect him as a person. My wife and I have met him. He has been very warm, kind, loving and caring at a personal level. Of course, he is a good orator and hard-working, and we get along well. We have no personal issues. I have nothing against Mr. Modi as a Gujarati leader, friend or well-wisher. He has been very warm towards me, and I appreciate that. I have been to his house in Gujarat several times.”
The senior Congress leader said he might have issues with Mr. Modi’s views of the world and ideology, but his disagreement was not with the individual.
“It is against the idea, and these are two separate things. I can disagree with Mr. Modi, and I can also have dinner with him and have a laugh...,” he said.
Earlier, addressing journalists at a “Deepavali Milan” event, the Prime Minister commended the Indian media’s role in voicing diverse opinions.
“Sometimes, it feels as though India has as many opinions as it has people. And these diverse opinions keep our democracy alive and vibrant. The Indian media certainly has a very significant role to play in this,” he said.
He credited the Indian media with facilitating positive and unprecedented improvements in society, and urged the media to spread public awareness about drug abuse.
Mr. Modi reiterated his government’s vision of a developed India by 2047. Citing the achievements across sectors over the past 12 years, he said achieving the goal was “certainly not impossible”.
“... The 2047 deadline does not mean that we have to wait until then,” he said.
He also cited a recent World Bank report, saying that about 50 crore people in India had moved out of extreme poverty over the past 12 to 13 years.
The Prime Minister urged the media to take “The India Story” to the world by leveraging technology, the young population, talent, and affordable data.
“Social media and algorithms have multiplied this power many times over. In such circumstances, we need to think about whether our content gives adequate space to India’s achievements, talent and positive transformations,” he said.
Mr. Modi acknowledged the role of field reporters in putting their lives at risk while covering natural disasters.
Recalling his long association with journalists, he said much had changed over the past 25 years, with technology transforming the news industry, making the work of traditional media organisations easier while bringing new challenges.
Published - November 12, 2026 05:16 pm IST
India / Narendra Modi / Deepavali / Indian National Congress / Bharatiya Janata Party
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