Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a glimpse of his morning routine with cows and peacocks on Independence Day, saying the animals came to meet him before he left for the Red Fort.
In a video posted on Instagram, Modi can be seen spending time with the animals at his residence and feeding them. He said feeding them every morning is part of his daily routine.
“Feeding my friends every morning is a daily routine. Yesterday morning, they somehow realised I’m leaving early, so they came to meet me as I was leaving for the Red Fort. Special, as always! "
Video shared before Red Fort address
The video was shared ahead of Modi's Independence Day address from the Red Fort. On Saturday, he delivered his 13th consecutive Independence Day speech from the historic monument.
During the address, Modi greeted the country on Independence Day and said India was reaching new milestones across sectors with the strength of 140 crore Indians.
He also remembered the freedom fighters whose courage and sacrifice played a role in ending colonial rule.
Modi's social media focus on younger audiences
The Instagram post comes as Modi has increasingly used digital platforms to connect with younger audiences, particularly Gen Z. His recent social media content has included more informal videos, humour and pop-culture references.
The focus on Instagram has also extended to members of his government, with Modi asking ministers to strengthen their presence on the platform and highlight government initiatives.
In his Independence Day speech, Modi placed significant emphasis on the role of young Indians in the country's development. He described Generation Z as key to building a “Viksit Bharat” by 2047 and highlighted their role in areas such as technology, startups and the “Orange Economy”.
He also spoke about mentoring young people and referred to initiatives including PM SHRI schools and Atal Tinkering Labs, which are aimed at encouraging innovation among students.
The latest video, however, offered a more personal glimpse into the prime minister's routine before he headed to the Red Fort for his Independence Day address.