Ritesh Agarwal, Founder OYO, recently gave a blunt account of his interactions with world leaders, sharing the intense impact of PM Narendra Modi on his incredible entrepreneurial journey

Meeting With The PM Left A Depper Mark: Ritesh Agarwal

After an engaging interaction with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the No. 10 Downing Street team, where Agarwal noted the exchange of “ideas” and the value of “challenging your own assumptions,” it was his meeting with PM Modi that left a deeper mark.

“But each time I meet Prime Minister Modi ji, something shifts,” Agarwal wrote in a recent social media post. “Just those few minutes can make you feel like one should do all they can for the service of the nation.”

Praising Modi’s “charisma” and “love for the motherland,” the young entrepreneur described the experience not merely as inspirational but transformative. “These moments aren’t just about protocol or inspiration; they’re a fusion of perspective and purpose that makes you want to push your limits, build more, and give back at a deeper level,” he added.

Known for scaling OYO from a budget hotel aggregator into one of India’s most recognizable startup brands, Agarwal has often credited the Indian startup ecosystem and government initiatives such as Startup India, for enabling young founders to dream and deliver at scale.

His recent comments are made at a time when India’s international entrepreneurial presence is growing, with figures like Agarwal becoming more and more representative of Indian innovation on the world stage.

This tone is reflective of a emerging view held by Indian founders that policy vision and leadership can not only drive enterprise but purpose-based growth.

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