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.
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"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.
