New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address at the centenary celebrations of Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) has become one of the most talked-about political and campus moments of the day, after he used a mix of Gen Z slang, popular-culture references and his trademark political messaging while addressing students and alumni.
From calling SRCC alumni the “real OGs” to describing an SRCC degree as a “flex”, Modi adopted a noticeably informal tone while speaking to a young audience. He also made a playful reference to the popular film Dhurandhar, saying, “Dhurandhar na ho, lekin dhoom toh machayi hai” while praising the college and its alumni.
The combination quickly attracted attention online, with clips and reactions from the speech spreading across social media.
PM Modi Brings Gen Z Language to the SRCC Stage
One of the most noticeable aspects of Modi’s speech was his choice of words.
Instead of relying entirely on formal political or academic language, the Prime Minister used expressions that are common among younger internet users. He referred to accomplished SRCC alumni as “OGs” and told students that simply being able to say they are from SRCC is itself a “flex.”
The language immediately stood out because of the setting. SRCC is one of India’s best-known institutions for commerce, economics and management, and the audience included a large number of young students and alumni.
By using expressions familiar to social media users, Modi injected a conversational quality into an otherwise formal centenary address.
What Does “OG” Mean?
For younger audiences, “OG” is a familiar internet expression. It originally stands for “Original Gangster” but is now commonly used more broadly to describe someone who is original, highly respected, influential or has been around from the beginning.
In the SRCC context, Modi used the expression positively while highlighting the achievements of the college’s alumni.
SRCC has produced prominent professionals, entrepreneurs, economists, administrators, policymakers and leaders across different sectors over the course of its 100-year history. The Prime Minister’s use of “OG” was therefore a contemporary way of acknowledging the institution’s long-standing influence.
“Being an SRCC Alumnus Is a Flex”
Another phrase that caught attention was Modi’s description of an SRCC connection as a “flex.”
In contemporary internet and youth culture, “flex” generally means showing off something one is proud of, particularly an achievement, possession or status.
By describing an SRCC association in these terms, Modi turned the college’s century-long reputation into a phrase that resonated with the language of social media.
The remark also highlighted the pride associated with being part of the SRCC community. For many students and alumni, the institution’s reputation is an important part of their professional identity.
The Viral “Dhurandhar” Reference
Perhaps the most unexpected moment came when Modi brought popular culture into his speech with a reference to Dhurandhar.
While praising SRCC’s alumni and the impact they have made in different fields, he quipped: “Dhurandhar na ho, lekin dhoom toh machayi hai.” The remark drew an immediate response from the audience and quickly became one of the most widely discussed portions of the speech.
The reference was particularly effective because it connected a formal institutional celebration with a piece of contemporary popular culture that younger audiences recognize.
It also demonstrated how political communication increasingly overlaps with entertainment, social media language and popular culture.
Why the Speech Went Viral
There were several reasons why snippets from Modi’s SRCC address attracted such strong online attention.
1. Unexpected Language
Prime Ministerial speeches are generally associated with formal language and policy-oriented messaging. The use of words such as “OG” and “flex” therefore provided an unexpected and highly shareable moment.
2. A Young Audience
SRCC’s students represent a demographic that is highly active on digital platforms. A phrase that sounds natural in an Instagram post, YouTube video or online conversation can quickly become a viral clip when used from a major public stage.
3. Popular Culture Meets Politics
The Dhurandhar reference gave the speech an additional pop-culture angle. Social media users often turn unusual or humorous political moments into short videos, memes and reaction posts.
4. Modi’s History With SRCC
The speech was also significant because Modi was returning to SRCC 13 years after his previous visit.
He first addressed students at the institution in 2013, when he was Chief Minister of Gujarat. His return in 2026 came as Prime Minister during the college’s centenary celebrations, giving the occasion a strong sense of continuity.
From 2013 to 2026: Modi Returns to the Same Campus
The SRCC visit was not simply another campus engagement. It gave Modi an opportunity to look back at his earlier interaction with students.
His 2013 speech came at a very different point in his political career. Thirteen years later, he returned to the same institution as Prime Minister for its 100th anniversary.
During the 2026 address, Modi recalled the earlier speech and discussed how India’s economic and national circumstances had changed since then. Reports noted that he reflected on the issues he had raised during his 2013 address and connected them with his broader narrative about India’s transformation.
SRCC Celebrates 100 Years
The backdrop to Modi’s speech was the centenary of Shri Ram College of Commerce.
Established in 1926 by industrialist and philanthropist Sir Shri Ram, SRCC has completed a century as one of India’s prominent institutions for higher education in commerce, economics and management. The institution has produced generations of scholars, professionals, administrators, entrepreneurs, policymakers and other nation-builders.
The centenary celebrations also coincided with Teachers’ Day, adding another dimension to the event and highlighting the role of educators in shaping generations of students.
Modi Also Travelled to SRCC by Delhi Metro
Another aspect of the Prime Minister’s visit that attracted attention was his journey to the event.
Modi travelled by Delhi Metro to reach SRCC and interacted with fellow passengers and students during the journey. The unusual mode of travel generated considerable interest online and added another highly shareable moment to the day’s events.
His Metro journey, informal language and interaction with students collectively contributed to the perception of a more conversational and youth-focused engagement.
More Than Just Slang: A Youth-Focused Communication Strategy
While “OG,” “flex” and “Dhurandhar” generated the most attention, the broader message of the speech went beyond viral phrases.
Modi used the occasion to speak about India’s economic progress, the country’s future and the role of young people in nation-building. He also highlighted SRCC’s contribution over the past century and encouraged students to think ambitiously about India’s future.
His use of contemporary vocabulary can therefore be seen as part of a larger attempt to communicate with younger audiences in a language they encounter regularly outside traditional political settings.
This approach is increasingly important in an environment where political speeches are consumed not only through television or newspapers but also through short clips on social media platforms.
Why Politicians Are Speaking Differently to Gen Z
Young audiences consume information differently from previous generations. Short videos, memes, creators, podcasts and social media posts now play a major role in shaping public conversations.
For politicians, this means that a speech delivered to hundreds or thousands of people can potentially reach millions through a 15-second or 30-second video clip.
A memorable phrase can become more influential online than an entire speech.
Using familiar vocabulary such as “OG” and “flex” can make a politician’s remarks easier to clip, share and discuss. At the same time, however, such language carries a risk: if used awkwardly, it can appear forced or disconnected from the audience.
In the case of the SRCC speech, the phrases generated substantial attention precisely because they were unexpected coming from a formal political stage.
Social Media Turns a Speech Into a Cultural Moment
The viral reaction to Modi’s SRCC remarks illustrates how political communication has changed.
Instead of discussing an entire speech, online audiences often focus on one or two memorable moments. In this case, “OG,” “flex” and “Dhurandhar” became the hooks through which people engaged with the event.
That does not necessarily mean those were the most important policy points in the address. Rather, they were the easiest moments to convert into short-form digital content.
This is increasingly becoming a defining feature of modern political communication: the most memorable sentence can sometimes travel much farther than the complete speech.
What the SRCC Moment Says About Changing Political Communication
Modi’s SRCC address offers an interesting example of the changing relationship between politics, education and popular culture.
A century-old institution was celebrating its legacy, while the Prime Minister used vocabulary associated with a generation that communicates heavily through social media.
The contrast itself created the viral moment.
SRCC represented tradition, academic excellence and institutional history. “OG,” “flex” and “Dhurandhar” represented contemporary youth culture and digital communication.
Bringing those two worlds together made the speech particularly suitable for the internet age.
From “OG” to “Dhurandhar”: The Lines People Will Remember
For many viewers, the policy discussions and historical references may eventually fade, but the informal phrases are likely to remain associated with the speech.
Calling SRCC alumni “OGs,” describing an SRCC connection as a “flex” and making the “Dhurandhar” quip gave the centenary event a distinctive digital identity.
It also showed how even a formal institutional ceremony can produce moments designed almost naturally for social media.
Conclusion
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s return to Shri Ram College of Commerce after 13 years was already a significant occasion. The college was celebrating 100 years, and Modi was revisiting a campus where he had delivered a much-discussed speech in 2013.
But his decision to sprinkle the 2026 address with Gen Z expressions such as “OG” and “flex”, along with the playful “Dhurandhar” reference, gave the event an unexpected digital-age flavour.
The viral reaction demonstrates an important reality of modern public communication: speeches are no longer consumed only in their entirety. Individual phrases can become cultural moments within minutes.
Whether one views the language as clever youth outreach, a natural conversational style or simply an entertaining part of the event, one thing is clear—the “OG”, “flex” and “Dhurandhar” moments ensured that PM Modi’s SRCC centenary speech became much more than a routine institutional address.
FAQs
What did PM Modi say about SRCC alumni?
PM Modi referred to SRCC alumni as “OGs,” using the contemporary expression as a term of respect for their achievements and influence.
What did PM Modi mean by calling SRCC a “flex”?
He used the word “flex” in the contemporary sense of something to be proud of or show off, referring to the prestige associated with being an SRCC alumnus.
What was PM Modi’s “Dhurandhar” remark?
While praising SRCC and its alumni, Modi made a playful reference to Dhurandhar, saying, “Dhurandhar na ho, lekin dhoom toh machayi hai.”
Why was PM Modi’s SRCC speech significant?
The 2026 event marked SRCC’s centenary and Modi’s return to the college 13 years after his previous visit in 2013.
Why did the speech go viral?
The combination of Gen Z slang, a popular-culture reference, Modi’s return to SRCC after 13 years and his interaction with young students created several highly shareable moments for social media.
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