Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg during and exchange with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Facebook's headquarters recently revealed the spiritual journey that late Apple CEO Steve Jobs, had advised Zuckerberg to take at the very inception of the company, when it was struggling to establish itself.
The Indian premier seemed at ease at the town hall event, which critiques of the social networking company say, is an attempt to garner support for the more ambitious expansive plans, the company has for India, according to the First Post.
In keeping with Modi's visit Zuckerberg changed his profile image to support "Digital India" an initiative begun by the Indian government to connect rural areas in India via the internet.
The discussion which lasted 50 minutes saw both Modi and Zuckerberg become emotional. When questioned by Zuckerberg as to Modi's mother's role in shaping his life, he said it had been hard for her when she was young and how his "ordinary family" struggled to "make ends meet."
The Indian premiere admitted to selling tea at railway stations just to survive and was close to tears when recalling his mother's efforts to raise the family. In return Zuckerberg shared a lesser known story, saying Jobs, urged Zuckerberg to undertake a spiritual trip to India and in particular to visit a specific temple, during the company's difficult days.
Zuckerberg told the gathering the journey to India had refreshed his vision and helped reaffirm the company's mission to help connect billions of people around the world, the Guardian reported.
The Modi and Zuckerberg discussion eventually turned toward politics, economics and the role of the internet in India. The Indian Prime Minister said owing to social media, governments especially his in India have been attuned to the opinion of local communities.