Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Modi Revives Half Water Half Air Analogy at SRCC
Narendra Modi visited Shri Ram College of Commerce again after 13 years.
In 2013, he said a glass can be seen as half water and half air.
He meant that people can look for possibilities instead of only seeing problems.
At the new event, he compared India’s situation in 2013 with its situation today.
He said India now has stronger growth and more industrial activity.
He also spoke about his goal of making India a developed country by 2047.
Some economists and opposition leaders questioned the reported growth figure.
Congress leaders also said the speech did not focus enough on students or ordinary people.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi repeated his “half water, half air” glass analogy at Shri Ram College of Commerce.
The analogy was first used during Modi’s February 2013 speech at the college, before he became prime minister.
Modi contrasted India’s 2013 economic and political challenges with what he described as stronger current growth.
He cited 7.8% first-quarter GDP growth, increased industrial activity and vehicle sales as evidence of progress.
Congress leaders Pawan Khera and Kanhaiya Kumar criticized the speech for overlooking student and public concerns.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with reactions from Congress leaders Pawan Khera and Kanhaiya Kumar.
- What
- Modi revisited his “half water, half air” analogy and discussed India’s economic progress and development goals.
- When
- On Saturday evening, 13 years after his February 2013 speech at the college.
- Where
- At Shri Ram College of Commerce, part of the University of Delhi, in Delhi.
- Why
- He was attending the college’s centenary gathering and connecting his earlier message with India’s present position and 2047 development vision.
Modi’s account
Opposition criticism
Economic performance
Modi’s account
Modi said 7.8% quarterly growth, stronger construction, manufacturing, industrial activity and vehicle sales showed that India was moving rapidly.
Opposition criticism
Some economists and opposition leaders questioned the 7.8% growth figure, though the articles do not provide their specific arguments.
Focus of the speech
Modi’s account
Modi presented the speech as a reflection on India’s progress from 2013 and a vision for a developed India by 2047.
Opposition criticism
Kanhaiya Kumar said Modi focused only on 2013 and 2047 rather than issues affecting students and the public.
Tone toward political opponents
Modi’s account
Modi said he had spoken with conviction in 2013 without using the college platform to criticize the government then in power.
Opposition criticism
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera dismissed the latest speech as boring, and the opposition challenged its emphasis and content.
- Original analogy
- Modi first used the glass analogy at Shri Ram College of Commerce in February 2013.
- Current event
- The latest speech took place at the college’s centenary gathering on Teachers’ Day.
- Reported growth
- Modi cited first-quarter GDP growth of 7.8%.
- Development target
- Modi spoke about creating a developed India by 2047, the centenary of independence.
- 2013 conditions cited
- He recalled headlines about inflation at 10%, corruption, policy paralysis and India being labeled among the “fragile five” economies.
- Political context
- In 2013, Modi was chief minister of Gujarat and the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance was in power nationally.
- Criticism
- Pawan Khera called the speech boring, while Kanhaiya Kumar said it did not address student or broader public issues.