India, Oct. 26 -- The bottom line is reel-making can be a creative outlet or a side hustle, not a full-fledged job, sustainable professions involve skill development, steady income, and accountability

At a rally in Samastipur in poll-bound Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tried to strike a familiar chord with the crowd when he said, "1 GB data aaj ek cup chai se bhi sasta hai. aur yeh chaiwala ne hi kar dikhaya." He went on to add that the youth of Bihar were benefiting from cheap data - "making reels, showing their creativity, and earning from it." The remark quickly went viral, drawing applause from supporters and criticism from those who wondered if making reels can really be called a profession.

Modi's statement may have meant to...