life journey of narendra modi

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Narendra Modi Biography: Childhood, Family, Education, Political Life, Net Worth & Key Facts

Narendra modi biography: he is the current prime minister of india. his full name is narendra damodardas modi. he was born on 17 september 1950 at vadnagar, mehsana gujarat. let us take a look at his early life, family, education, political career, awards and recognition, books written by him, etc.  .

Narendra Modi Biography: He is a dynamic, determined, and dedicated Prime Minister of India who was born on 17 September 1950 at Vadnagar, India. On 30 May 2019, he was sworn in as India's Prime Minister marking the start of his second term in office. He is also the longest-serving Chief Minister of Gujarat (October 2001 to May 2014). He is a personality of motivation who rose from a poverty-stricken tea-selling boy to a development-oriented leader. 

Narendra Modi was born on 17 September, 1950 in Vadnagar, Gujarat to a lower-middle-class family of grocers. He has proved that success has nothing to do with caste, creed, or where a person belongs to. He is the first Prime Minister of India whose mother was alive when he took office. In the Lok Sabha, he represents the Varanasi constituency and is considered a master strategist for his party. Since 2014, he is the current Prime Minister of India and prior to it, he had served as the Chief Minister of Gujarat state from 2001 to 2014. 

In Lok Sabha Election 2019, Narendra Modi has won by around 4.79 Lac votes against Shalini Yadav, Samajwadi Party. His Swearing-in ceremony is organised on 30th May, 2019 for the second term as a Prime Minister of India. He is the first BJP leader who has been elected for a second term after the completion of his five-year tenure.

He is a ray of hope in the lives of billions of Indians and one of the most popular leaders who mostly focuses on development. Even the slogan of our PM Narendra Modi "Main Bhi Chowkidar" focuses on the dignity of labour and aims to take the support of the working class. He said this slogan because he felt that he is also standing firm and doing his work as the nation's 'chowkidar'. Further, he emphasised that every Indian who is fighting for corruption, dirt, social evils, etc. for the progress of India is also a 'Chowkidar. This way slogan 'Main bhi chowkidar' went viral.

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Name: Narendra  Damodardas Modi Born: 17 September, 1950 Place of Birth: Vadnagar, Mehsana (Gujarat) Zodiac Sign: Virgo Nationality: Indian Father's Name: Late Damodardas Mulchand Modi Mother's Name: Smt. Heeraben Damodardas Modi Siblings: Soma Modi, Amrut Modi, Pankaj Modi, Prahlad Modi, Vasantiben Hasmukhlal Modi Spouse Name: Smt. Jashodaben Modi Education: SSC – 1967 from SSC board, Gujarat; BA  in Political Science a distance-education course from Delhi University, Delhi; PG MA – 1983 Gujarat University, Ahmedabad (acc. to the affidavit before Election Commission) Political Party: Bharatiya Janta Party Profession: Politician Prime Minister of India: Since 26 May, 2014 Preceded by: Manmohan Singh Favourite Leaders: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Swami Vivekananda

In the 2014 election, Narendra Modi led the BJP to an impressive victory. Do you know that as a first-time MLA he became CM of Gujarat and also as a first-time MP he became the Prime Minister of India? No doubt, he is also one of the best applicable Prime Ministerial candidates for the forthcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2019 from Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP). That is why in the Lok Sabha Election results in 2019, he again became the voice of India.

He always emphasise "Coming age is the age of knowledge. However, rich, poor, or powerful a country be, if they want to move ahead, only knowledge can lead them to that path."

Narendra Modi: Early Life, Childhood Days and Education

Source: www.mensxp.com

Narendra Modi was born on 17 September, 1950 to a family of grocers in Vadnagar, Mehsana district, Bombay State (present Gujarat). His father's name is late Damodardas Mulchand Modi and his Mother's name is Hiraben Modi, the couple has six children, he is the third eldest among six. In his childhood days, Modi helped his father in selling tea at the Vadnagar Railway Station and later ran a tea stall with his brother near a bus terminus.

In 1967, he had completed his higher secondary education in Vadnagar. At the age of 8 years, he joined Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He doesn’t want to marry so he left home at the age of 17 and travelled across the country for the next two years. In his interviews, he told that in these two years he visited several ashrams founded by Swami Vivekananda. Then Modi returned to Vadnagar and after some time he again left for Ahmedabad. There, Modi lived with his uncle, who worked in the canteen at the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation.

Let us tell you that in 1970 that is at the age of 20, he was so influenced by the RSS that he became the full-time Pracharak and he had formally joined RSS in 1971 at the age of 21. In his area, in the early 1970s, he set up a unit of RSS's students wing namely Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad. No doubt, his association with the organisation has significantly benefited his political career.  He has completed the Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the School of Open Learning at the University of Delhi and later he had completed his Master's degree in political science from Gujarat University.

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In his childhood days, he had faced several difficulties and obstacles, but he took all the challenges positively and transformed them into opportunities with courage and strength. After joining RSS, he learned the spirit of selflessness, social responsibility, dedication, and nationalism. Furthermore, we will study Narendra Modi's biography.

"Each one of us has a natural instinct to rise, like a flame of the lamp. Let’s nurture this instinct." - Narendra Modi

Narendra Modi: Political Career

- In 1987, he joined the BJP and a year later he was made the general secretary of the Gujarat branch of the party.

- In 1995, he was recognised as a key strategist for being instrumental in successfully campaigning for the party.

- In 1995, he was appointed as the Secretary of the BJP's national unit.

- In 1988 in the Gujarat Assembly elections BJP came as the ruling party in Gujarat.

- Mainly, two events contributed to bringing the BJP power in 1998 that is the Somnath to Ayodhya Rath Yatra, which was a long match by L.K Advani and another was a march from Kanyakumari to Kashmir under Murli Manohar Joshi.

- He was credited for carrying out the responsibility of revamping the organisation of the party in various states.

- In 1988, he became the General Secretary and holds the position till 2001.

- In October 2001, he became the Chief Minister of Gujarat when his predecessor Keshubhai Patel resigned from the post due to health reasons and also BJP lost a few state assembly seats in by-elections. He took the oath on 7 October 2001 as CM of Gujarat.

- Do you know that he remained at the post of CM of Gujarat three consecutive times?

- On 24 February, 2002, he won a by-election to the Rajkot II constituency. He defeated Ashwin Mehta of INC and this was his first and very short term.

- He further contested from Maninagar and won the assembly election by defeating Oza Yatinbhai Narendrakumar of INC. And in the second term, he was retained as a Chief Minister of Gujarat.

- His third term of CM was from 23 December, 2007 till 20 December, 2012. This time also he won from Maninagar and defeated Dinsha Patel of INC.

- He was again elected from Maninagar and defeated Bhatt Shweta Sanjiv. He took the oath as CM which is his fourth term but later he resigned in 2014 from an assembly.

- Then, Narendra Modi contested the 2014 Lok Sabha elections for the first time. He won the election by a large margin and was sworn in as the Prime Minister of India on 26 May, 2014. He became the first Prime Minister of India who was born after India's independence from the British Empire.

"Don't dream to be something but rather dream to do something great!” – Narendra Modi

Narendra Modi: Major Works

In Narendra Modi biography major works are mentioned below:

- After becoming the CM of Gujarat in his second term in 2002, he focused on the economic development of the state and makes it an attractive destination for businessmen and industrialists.

- In his third term of CM in 2007, he improved the agricultural growth rate, provided electricity to all villages, and fortifies the rapid development of the state.

- When he was the CM of Gujarat with the support of the government created groundwater conservation projects. This had helped in the cultivation of Bt cotton with the help of irrigation facilities via tube wells. Do you know that Gujarat became the largest producer of Bt Cotton?

- To every village, electricity is brought in the state of Gujarat under Modi's reign. He also changed the system of power distribution in the state by separating agricultural electricity from rural electricity.

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- In the BJP election campaign of 2009 and also of 2014, he played a crucial role.

- Also, he had made successful efforts to invite foreign investments in the state of Gujarat.

- Gujarat is the fourth state in the world where we have a separate climate-change department.

- After becoming the PM of India he has initiated several ambitious and important projects like "Swachh Bharat Abhiyan", "Make in India", "Clean Ganga" etc.

- He also tried to improve bilateral relations with other countries of the world.

- He has also shown great interest in strengthening ties with the neighbouring countries.

"Let work itself be the ambition”. – Narendra Modi

Narendra Modi: Awards and Recognition

Source:www.businesstoday.in

- In a survey conducted by India Today Magazine, he was named as the best Chief Minister in the country in 2007.

- In 2009, FDI magazine honoured Narendra Modi the Asian Winner of the 'fDi Personality of the Year award.

- In TIME's Asian edition of March 2012, he was featured on the cover page.

- On Forbes magazine's list of the 'World's Most Powerful People' in 2014, he ranked at 15.

- In 2014, 2015, and 2017, he was listed among ‘Time 100 most influential people in the world' by Time magazine.

- In 2014, he was awarded Indian of the Year by the CNN-IBN news network.

- Time Magazine in 2015 released the '30 most influential people on the internet list and he was named as the second most-followed politician on Twitter and Facebook.

- In 2015, Modi was ranked the 13th-Most-Influential Person in the World by Bloomberg Markets Magazine.

- In 2015, he was ranked fifth on Fortune Magazine's first annual list of the "World's Greatest Leaders".

-  In 2016, a wax statue of Modi was unveiled at Madame Tussaud Wax Museum in London.

- In 2016 PM Narendra Modi was conferred with the Amir Amanullah Khan Award, the highest civilian honour of Afghanistan.

- In April 2016, he was conferred with Saudi Arabia's highest civilian honour 'King Abdulaziz Sash' by King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

In 2017, the Gallup International Association (GIA) conducted a poll and ranked Modi as the third top leader of the world.

- According to 2018 statistics he is the third most followed head of the state on Twitter and the topmost followed world leader on Facebook and Instagram.

- He ranked 9th in Forbes World's Most Powerful People list 2018.

- In October 2018, Narendra Modi received the UN's highest environmental award, the 'Champions of the Earth' for policy leadership by “pioneering works in championing” the International Solar Alliance and “new areas of levels of cooperation on environmental action”.

- He was conferred with the Seoul Peace Prize in 2018 for improving international cooperation, raising global economic growth, accelerating the Human Development of the people of India by fostering economic growth, etc.  Do you know he is the first Indian to win this award?

- On 10 February, he was honoured with Grand Collar of the State of Palestine; the highest civilian honour of Palestine for foreign dignitaries.

- The first Philip Kotler presidential Award is also received by Narendra Modi in 2019.

- In January 2019, PM Narendra Modi, a biographic film starring Vivek Oberoi is going to released soon.

- On 4 April, 2019, UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Al Nahyan has conferred on Indian PM Narendra Modi, the Zayed Medal, the highest decoration awarded to kings, presidents, and heads of the states. He received the honour in appreciation of his efforts in maintaining strategic ties with UAE.

"My struggle is to bring 'life' in 'file'." - Narendra Modi

Narendra Modi: Schemes launched

Narendra Modi's biography also consists of schemes launched under his tenure.

- Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana for financial inclusion.

- Swachch Bharat Mission for better sanitation facilities and cleaning public places.

- Mudra Bank Yojana for banking services for Medium and Small Enterprises.

- Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana to provide skill training to the young workforce.

- Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana to strengthen rural infrastructure.

- Make in India to enhance the manufacturing sector.

- Garib Kalyan Yojana to address the welfare needs of the poor.

- E-Basta an online learning forum.

- Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana for financial empowerment of the girl child.

- Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat to enhance children's reading, writing, and mathematical skills.

- Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana provides LPG to families living as BPL.

- Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana to increase the efficiency in irrigation.

- Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana is a scheme that provides insurance against crop failure.

- A LPG subsidy scheme is Pahal.

- DDU-Grameen Kaushalya Yojana provides vocational training to the rural youth as a part of the 'Skill India' mission.

- Nayi Manzil Yojana is a skill-based training given to Madrasa students.

- Stand Up India will support women and SC/ST, entrepreneurs.

- Atal Pension Scheme is a pension scheme for unorganised sector employees.

- Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana scheme provides insurance against accidents.

- Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana provides life insurance.

- Sagar Mala Project scheme is for developing port infrastructure.

- Smart Cities Project (helps in building urban infrastructure.

- Rurban Mission scheme will provide modern facilities in villages.

- Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana provides affordable housing for all.

- Jan Aushadhi Scheme is a scheme that provides affordable medicines.

- Digital India for a digitally equipped nation and economy.

- Digilocker for securing documents online.

- School Nursery Yojana is an afforestation program by and for young citizens.

- Gold Monetization Scheme involves gold stocks lying idle in households in the economy.

"People's blessings give you the power to work tirelessly. The only thing required is commitment." - Narendra Modi

Books on Narendra Modi

- Narendra Modi: A Political Biography by Andy Marino is an insightful, exhaustive and impeccably researched account of the ascent of a political leader Narendra Modi. It also analyses the contrasting perspectives on the Gujarat model of governance and development. 

- Centrestage: Inside the Narendra Modi Model of Governance by Uday Mahurkar’s. It consists of a balanced and impersonal judgement of Modi's mantra of governance. Various schemes of the Modi government are also discussed in the book.

- Modi: Making of a Prime Minister: Leadership, Governance, and Performance by Vivian Fernandez. This book deals with the several opportunities utilised by Modi to improve the economic conditions of the people of Gujarat.

-  The Man of the Moment: Narendra Modi by M V Kamath and Kalindi Randeri. This book unfolds the roller coaster life and the evolution of a consummate politician who has enlarged the contours of politics in India.

- The NaMo Story: A Political Life by Kingshuk Nag. In this book, Narendra Modi's journey from tea vendor's son to the CM of Gujarat is given.

- Narendra Modi: The Game changer by Sudesh Verma. This book is based on the extensive interviews of the Gujarat Chief Minister and his close relatives about the influences that shaped Narendra Modi's thoughts and actions.

- The Modi Effect: Inside Narendra Modi's campaign to transform India by Lance Price. In this book, Narendra Modi Lok Sabha election winner 2014, his strategies and campaign that have been fought that time was unlike and never seen before, etc. are discussed.

- Narendrayan: Story of Narendra Modi by Girish Dabke. This book offers the reader an insightful analysis of the life and political career of Narendra Modi.

- Modi: Common Man’s PM by Kishor Makwana. This book is about the common man's PM Narendra Modi who has become a ray of hope to the people of India after being sworn in as India's PM in May 2014.

- Narendra Modi Change We Can Believe by Sanjay Gaur.

- Prernamurthi Narendra Modi by Shukla Sangeeta. This book is all about details of Narendra Modi since his childhood and will tell how to face adverse situations.

- Narendra Modi: Yes He Can by D.P. Singh.

- War Room: The People, Tactics, and Technology Behind Narendra Modi's 2014 Win by Ullekh NP. This book is a good example of real fieldwork and rigorous research. It will tell you how decisions are made in India.

- For the People: Narendra Modi by Urvish Kantharia.

- Tsunami of Narendra Modi: Challenges and Visions by Ub Singh and Viplav.

- Images of Transformation: Gujarat and Narendra Modi by Pravin Sheth.

- Prime Minister Narendra Modi: A Transformational Leader by S K Mehra.

- Modi Doctrine: The Foreign Policy of India’s Prime Minister by Sreeram Chaulia.

- The Narendra Modi Phenomenon by Dhananjay Kumar.

- Modi and the World: (Re) Constructing Indian Foreign Policy by World Scientific (Author) and Sinderpal Singh (Editor).

-  Swarnim Bharat Ke Swapndrishtha Narendra Modi by Vijay Nahar etc...

"The life of Gautama Buddha illustrates the power of service, compassion, and, most importantly, renunciation. He was convinced that material wealth is not the sole goal." ― Narendra Modi

Books written by Narendra Modi

Source: www.in.pinterest.com

Some books are also written by PM Narendra Modi. Let us have a look!

-  Exam Warriors in English and Hindi

-  A journey: Poems by Narendra Modi

-  Jyotipunj in English and Hindi

-  Premtirth

-  Social Harmony

-  Samajik Samrasta

-  Nayanam Idam Dhanayam: Poems By Narendra Modi (Sanskrit). Author Narendra Modi and Rajalakshmi Srinivasan.

-  Sakshi Bhaav

-  Abode of Love

-  Cintanaik Kalanjiyam: Poems By Narendra Modi (Tamil) by Narendra Modi and Rajalakshmi Srinivasan

-  Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas - Marathi by Narendra Modi, Ajay Koutikwar

-  The Great Himalayan Climb: Story of the 1965 Indian Expedition's Record-Breaking Triumph of Everest by Narendra Modi and Capt. M.S. Kohli

-  From Crippling Emotions to Can-Do Attitude!: Counter Negativity and Create Energy in Five Smart Steps by Narendra Modi and Jayapriya

-  Convenient Action: Gujarat's Response To Challenges Of Climate Change

-  Nayan He Dhanya Re ! by Narendra Modi and Jayashree Joshi

-  Setubandh

-  Convenient Action-Continuity For Change

-  Aapaatkaal Mein Gujarat

-  Ek Soch Dharm Ki by Jagdish Upasane and Narendra Modi

-  Bhavyatra

-  The 37th Singapore Lecture: India's Singapore Story (The Singapore Lecture Series)

-  Janiye Mere Bare Me (Hindi Edition)

-  Great Is The Eye by Narendra Modi Trans: Dr. Ram Sharma

-  Education Is Empowerment

-  Sakshibhav

-  Aankh Ye Dhanya Hai by Narendra Modi Trans : Dr. Anjana Sandhir

-  Kalviye Mahasakthi

-  Divine India

-  Shikshanave Sabalikarana

-  Dr. Hedgewar Ji Ki Jivanjali (Hindi Edition)

- Samajik Samrasata (Marathi) etc...

"Ones we decide we have to do something, we can go miles ahead." ― Narendra Modi

Narendra Modi no doubt is an inspiration to the youth and also to all the people of the country . After so many hardships today, he is a successful politician and PM of India. The Prime Minister is the leader of the Cabinet Ministers. The main executive powers of the government are vested in the Prime Minister only. This is all about Narendra Modi's early life, political career, awards, etc. in the form of Narendra Modi's biography in short.

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• Humble Beginnings: The Early Years --> Humble Beginnings: The Early Years --> Humble Beginnings: The Early Years

Humble Beginnings: The Early Years

Narendra Modi’s journey began in the by-lanes of Vadnagar, a small and nondescript town in North Gujarat’s Mehsana district . Born on 17 th September 1950, 3 years after India attained freedom and within months of India becoming a Republic, Narendra Modi was the third of the sixth children of Damodardas Modi and Hiraba Modi. Vadnagar is a town that is steeped in history. Archeological excavations suggest this was a vibrant centre of learning and spirituality. The Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang visited Vadnagar. Vadnagar also has a rich Buddhist history with as many as 10,000 Buddhist monks inhabiting the town centuries ago.

Vadnagar station, where Narendra Modi's father owned a tea stall and where Narendra Modi also sold tea

Narendra Modi’s early years were far from what a fairy tale upbringing is like. The family belonged to the marginalized sections of society and had to struggle to make ends meet. The entire family lived in a small single storey house (approximately 40 feet by 12 feet). His father sold tea at the tea stall he set up in the local railway station. In his early years, Narendra Modi too lent a hand to his father at the tea stall.

These formative years left a strong imprint on Narendra Modi. As a child, Narendra Modi balanced his studies, non-academic life and his contribution at the family tea stall. His schoolmates recall Narendra as a diligent student with a penchant for debating and reading. He would spend hours and hours reading in the school library. Among the sports, he was very fond of swimming. Narendra Modi had a wide range of friends from all the communities. As a child he often celebrated both Hindu and Muslim festivals considering the large number of Muslim friends he had in the neighbourhood.

Yet, his thoughts, and dreams went way beyond a conventional life that began in the classroom and ended in the environs of an office. He wanted to go out there and make a difference to society…to wipe tears and suffering among people. At a young age he developed an inclination towards renunciation and asceticism. He gave up eating salt, chilies, oil and jaggery. Reading the works of Swami Vivekananda cover to cover took Narendra Modi to a journey of spiritualism and laid the foundation for his own mission to fulfill Swami Vivekananda’s dream of a Jagad Guru Bharat.

If there is one word that characterized Narendra Modi’s childhood and stayed with him for the rest of his life, it is service. When floods wrecked havoc in the Tapi River, 9 year old he and his friends started a food stall and donated the proceeds for relief work. When the war with Pakistan was at its peak he set out on the railway station and served tea to the Jawans who were going and coming from the border. This was a small step but it displayed his firm resolve to answer the call of Mother India, even at a remarkably young age.

As a child Narendra Modi had one dream- to serve in the Indian Army. For many youngsters of his time, the Army was seen as the ultimate means of serving Mother India. As luck would have it, his family was dead opposed to the idea. Narendra Modi was very keen to study in Sainik School located in nearby Jamnagar but when the time came to pay the fees, there was no money at home. Surely, Narendra was disappointed. But, fate had different plans for this young boy who was disappointed on not being able to wear the uniform of a Jawan. Over the years he embarked on a unique path that took him across India in pursuit of the larger mission to serve humanity.

Seeking the blessings of his Mother

Disclaimer:

It is part of an endeavour to collect stories which narrate or recount people’s anecdotes/opinion/analysis on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi & his impact on lives of people.

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Nm on the go

It was New Year’s Day 2009. The unforgiving sun beat down on the parched sands of the Indo-Pak border in Gujarat in the Rann of Kutch. On this day, amidst the desolate landscape, Chief Minister Narendra Modi had arrived. His presence, a beacon of hope in the arid expanse, brought more than just news from the mainland. Shri Modi has always made it a point to spend important dates in the year with the armed forces personnel, and this year was no different.

He sat with the jawans, sharing stories and laughter. But beneath the camaraderie, a concern gnawed at him. He learned of their daily ordeal – the gruelling 50-kilometre journey conducted daily for water tankers to carry water from Suigam, the nearest village with potable supply, to the arid outpost.

The Chief Minister listened intently, his brow furrowed in concern. Shri Modi, a man known for his resolve, replied in the affirmative. He pledged to find a solution and assured the Jawans that he would bring them drinking water. Pushpendra Singh Rathore, the BSF officer who escorted Shri Modi to the furthermost point of the border, Zero Point, recalls that CM Modi took only 2 seconds to agree to the BSF jawans’ demands and made the bold claim that ‘today is 01 January – you will receive potable drinking water, through pipelines, within 6 months’.

Rathore explains that the Rann of Kutch is known for its sweltering and saline conditions and that pipelines typically cannot survive in the region. He recalls that some special pipelines were brought by Shri Modi from Germany to solve the problem. Exactly 6 months after the promise, in June, a vast reservoir was constructed near the BSF camp and water was delivered to it by the new pipeline.

The story of Shri Modi's visit to the border isn’t just about water; it is about trust and seeing a leader who listens, understands, and delivers. A leader whose guarantees are honoured.

In 2009, as Chief Minister, Narendra Modi visited the Indo-Pak border in Gujarat and spent time with BSF jawans. The jawans brought to his attention the issue of access to potable water, having to travel 50 kilometers for it. CM Modi promised a solution, and within a few months,… pic.twitter.com/tyJR4arWVk — Modi Story (@themodistory) December 16, 2023

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PM Modi’s journey is an inspiration for every individual

A new book, modi@20: dreams meet delivery, provides a long, hard look at the pm’s journey from those who saw it from close quarters.

Narendra Modi first assumed an elected office on October 7, 2001. On May 26, 2022, he completed 20 years in that position. Over the two decades, the “idea of Modi” spread and held sway over a country of a billion-plus people with a fascinating diversity of cultures, languages and geographies. In many ways, it is the “idea of Modi” that has served as the unifying force redefining India. In 2014, Prime Minister (PM) Modi set the ball rolling on that project when he presented an all-inclusive, growth oriented “idea of India”. An “idea of India” that sets an ideological framework of equality and growth, steering clear of doles, privileges and sectoral giveaways.

Over the last 20 years, his popularity has only soared in the eyes of the people. He has been topping global leadership popularity charts with amazing consistency. And that perhaps has been the most remarkable aspect of his journey as a leader of the masses. History tells us elected leaders, over the course of time, see their popularity and charisma wane. They make mistakes, they tire out, they take their mandates for granted, they start to treat power as an end unto itself. But not PM Modi. He has used his positions, as three-time Gujarat chief minister and India’s PM, as nothing more than an opportunity to serve Bharat.

As this momentous journey dedicated to the service of India and its people completes 20 years, it is pertinent to understand what “Modi magic” is and what makes it work. It is also important to understand how PM Modi is giving shape to his “idea of India”. The one book that currently holds the answer to that question is Modi@20: Dreams Meet Delivery, an anthology put together by people of eminence and achievements, with the book’s foreword having been written by the late Lata Mangeshkar.

The book is both analytical and academic in its approach and comes packed with personal anecdotes shared by its contributors from across a spectrum of fields, including politics (Amit Shah), sports (PV Sindhu), arts (Anupam Kher), economics (Arvind Panagariya) and religious and spiritual thinkers (Amish Tripathi).

The title aptly defines PM Modi’s eventful journey from an underprivileged social and economic background, with no dynastic privilege, and no connection with the network of elites to India’s high office. His work in elected office is nothing but a continuous pursuit to achieve 100% saturation of social welfare schemes for the poor, create endless opportunities for the aspiring youth, ensure quality life, social equity and equality – Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas . It is PM Modi who has infused in India a “can do” approach and motivated public participation in nation building by invoking the pressing need for Sabka Prayas (Jan Bhagidari).

Indian badminton’s pride PV Sindhu sets the tone in the very first chapter, Why Modi is the Undisputed Youth Icon, in explaining “Modi magic” by highlighting through personal anecdotes how the PM has brought about an attitudinal shift from kaise hoga (how will it be done) to hoga kaise nahi (how can it not get done). People who have worked with the PM can vouch for the truth in Sindhu’s observation. He has never seen a problem as a problem but an opportunity to optimise the latent potential in the country for the best results.

During a closed session of the Quad Summit in Tokyo, US President Joe Biden hailed PM Modi for his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic successfully in a democratic manner. Biden said that PM Modi’s success has shown the world that democracies can deliver. Who can forget the impending sense of doom with which the world watched India when the pandemic broke, sure in their hearts and minds that India will buckle. PM Modi took the challenge head on. The result? We are confidently set on the path of Atmanirbharta (self reliance).

Amish Tripathi in his chapter, Modi, The Bhagirath Prayasi, writes that PM Modi is building an India of tomorrow firmly rooted in the India of the past, drawing lessons from its civilisational heritage, asserting India’s dominance not as a nation-state but as a civilisational state. In all his addresses, the PM’s clear message is: We must remember who we are.

As the West tried to shift the blame for the climate crisis to India, the PM reminded the world that Indians are the writers, believers and practitioners of Prithvi Sukta (Atharvaveda), which contains unparalleled knowledge about nature and the environment. He asked the world, keeping aside differences, to come together to fight the climate crisis at the Conference of the Parties in Glasgow.

It was under PM Modi that for the first time a party’s manifesto was picked up by people after elections with wonder and awe to find that the party was meeting all promises made. PM Modi wasn’t just showing dreams but he was promising on what he could deliver. And deliver he did. Why does he focus so much on delivery of promises?

The answer lies in the chapter, Democracy, Delivery and the Politics of Hope, penned by home minister Amit Shah. Shah writes, “He [PM Modi] has an emotional attachment to the party that is rare and touching… he looks upon the party as a Mother… the party’s manifesto is to him his Mother’s word.”

His promise of 100% saturation of welfare schemes is a continuum of the dream Deen Dayal Upadhyay saw when he spoke of Antyodaya.

Modi@20 subtly brings out the Bhagirath-prayaas of a person who is unstoppable when it comes to fulfilling the dreams of a people. The scale of what he is doing, the dedication with which he is doing it, fills us all with hope – hoga kaise nahi.

His journey is an inspiration for every individual. The book does an excellent job in providing a long, hard look at the journey from those who saw it from close quarters. Do read.

Bhupender Yadav is Union minister for environment, forest & climate change; and labour & employment. He is the author of The Rise of the BJP

The views expressed are personal

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Modi the Meticulous: How attention to every detail has marked the PM's life journey

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is known to have mastered the art of apprehending reality through the prism of details, and therefore grasp things accurately

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a punctilious personality, and that is now public knowledge as his ability to pay attention to the smallest of details, connecting the dots and developing insights is one of his several qualities which set him apart.

Last Sunday, he was seen picking up an empty water bottle littered around while inspecting the newly inaugurated ITPO tunnel built under Pragati Maidan.

PM Modi has mastered the art of apprehending reality through the prism of details, and therefore grasp things accurately.

Several of Modi’s co-travellers offer a glimpse into his organised life and his meticulous personality.

Back in Gujarat in the early 80s, Natubhai Dabhi was a Tehsil Pracharak in Gandhinagar and PM Narendra Modi the RSS Vibhag Pracharak. Recalling how PM Modi very earnestly planned an RSS camp to the tee, Natubhai says, “Modi planned everything in great detail. From safety pins to stapler, he asked us to make written notes of everything. He even made an estimation of the amount of water required per litre per person for bathing, drinking etc. Not only that, he even calculated the units of electricity that would be consumed in the camp.”

“The camp turned out to be a great success. He even gave me lessons on how to iron a shirt: You should first button the top button of the shirt and let your iron reach the right temperature. And start with ironing the part of the shirt which shows,” he said.

“How PM Modi used to plan his travels (pravas) was also remarkable. He would ask us to prepare a detailed itinerary of his travels. Which car we would be travelling by, whether it runs on petrol or diesel, the distance to be covered, who would we be meeting and at what time, whose house we would be eating at and where we would be staying; he would have everything planned minute by minute. I have served as a pracharak for almost 20 years, but those few days under Modi’s guidance really transformed the way I look at things. I understood how attention to detail is at the heart of any great endeavour.”

Ramesh Mehta is a Mumbai-based businessman and a long-time friend of PM Modi. The Prime Minister’s visits to Mumbai were often marked by his stay at his dear friend’s house, who PM Modi considers family. Reminiscing those times, Ramesh Mehta says: “When Narendrabhai would visit Mumbai, he would often stay at our house. I can’t help but recall some unmissable details in his personality. He had a penchant for cleanliness and being primp. His hair would be properly oiled, always in place. Not a hair here, not one there. He would carry a small comb in his pocket. Whatever he wore would be well ironed.”

“We had a room reserved for him in our house. Everything was very carefully placed where it was supposed to be. If he had to do puja the following morning, he would do all the preparations for it before going to the bed. He would get up early and do his Omkar,” Mehta recalls.

“A minimalist, he would carry very few things in his bags. Just a napkin and a gamucha.”

Rajya Sabha MP GVL Narsimha Rao, expressing great admiration for Modi’s assiduous and conscientious work-style, says, “I have met Modiji several times over the years since he became the Gujarat CM. A Chief Minister’s office is often lined up with hundreds of visitors and especially the office of a proactive CM like him! But his day would be so skilfully planned that we never had to wait a minute later than the appointed time to see him.”

“Another exceptional detail that I couldn’t miss was how his table was spick and span with no files pending whatsoever. There wasn’t even a single piece of paper to be found on his desk. No passing the buck and improved work spaces and culture. These are the markers of Modi’s work style. I think even the biggest CEOs of the corporate world may take management lessons from Modiji.”

Member of Parliament (MP) Anil Agrawal had a similar story to tell. This one about Modi’s signature half-kurta. He recalls his meeting with PM Narendra Modi some 20-25 years back.

“Narendra Modi was the BJP General Secretary then and used to stay at the party HQ on 11, Ashoka Road, New Delhi. As a young party karyakarta from Ghaziabad I had gone to visit him. I noticed Modiji was wearing a half-kurta. That was the first time I had seen someone don a halfkurta. My inquisitiveness overtook and I asked him, “Why do you wear a half-kurta?” Modiji smiled and said, “Delhi’s scorching summers compelled me to cut the sleeves in half. Moreover, I wash my own clothes. So, short sleeves save me a lot of effort and also soap’.”

“I thought to myself, ‘I have never seen someone as precise and meticulous about things as Narendra Modi’.”

Adding to this is Union Minister Sarbanand Sonowal said, “I had completed one year to being the CM of Assam. We decided to invite Modiji to celebrate this milestone. A massive rally was held. Thousands of people turned up. Modiji was sitting on the stage with me. Behind a swarm of thousand people stood a lonely tree brimming with flowers. Modiji noticed it and asked me, ‘Sonowalji, what’s the tree called?’ ‘Krishnachura’ I replied. ‘Is this prevalent throughout Assam?’ ‘Yes. It’s found all over Assam’, I told him. Very enthusiastically Modiji suggested, ‘Why don’t you plant it all over Assam? The tree looks beautiful with its flamboyant display of flowers and has a lot of potential to propel tourism in the state’.”

“Can you imagine he has such sharp eye for detail! Following this we planted lakhs of trees across the length and breadth of Assam,” Sonowal says.

Aniruddhbhai Patel is a swayamsevak from Sabarkatha, Gujarat. Circa 1984 PM Narendra Modi was the Vibhag Pracharak and Patel was the RSS Nagar Karyawaha back then. As a Vibhag Pracharak in-charge of 4-5 districts, Modi was visiting the RSS karyalaya (office).

Explaining how PM Modi went into excruciating details to avoid the tiniest incongruence, Patel recalls, “We had a modest karyalaya which was housed in a small 10 x 12 feet room. Narendrabhai was keenly examining every nook and cranny of the office.”

“After detailed inspection, Narendrabhai said, ‘You need to primp up the place. Please change the bed spread and also get 2 bolster pillows. Get matting done on the floor and curtains to cover the shelf. Get the room painted in a better colour. However, small be the office, it should look presentable. I’ll visit the office again after a month and expect necessary changes to be made’,” Patel narrates.

Paying attention is critical to further action and can have a significant impact on the final outcome of things, the life of PM Modi has averred. It’s the little things that separate the ordinary from the extraordinary and PM Narendra Modi’s life is a living example of that. Brings one to Walt Disney’s celebrated remark: “There’s no magic in magic, it’s all in the details”.

(In association with modistory.com  -a volunteer-driven initiative to bring out inspiring stories from PM Modi’s life)

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Exclusive Interview: Narendra Modi and the Unstoppable Rise of India

A year after India overtook China to become the world's most populous country, its rapid upward economic trajectory and increasing diplomatic, scientific and military weight make it an emerging superpower of ever-growing importance to the United States and the world.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed Newsweek 's written questions and followed up with a 90-minute conversation at his official residence with Newsweek President and CEO Dev Pragad, Global Editor in Chief Nancy Cooper and Editorial Director, Asia, Danish Manzoor Bhat. Subjects covered ranged from the major economic advances made under Modi's leadership to the tension between infrastructure expansion and environmental concerns to India's relationship with China and criticism for allegedly curtailing press freedom and not bringing along the Muslims who represent some one in seven of India's population of 1.4 billion.

Here are Modi's answers, edited for space.

On the upcoming election

We have an excellent track record of fulfilling our promises. It was a big thing for the people, as they were used to promises never being fulfilled.

Our government has worked with the motto of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas," which means—Together, for everyone's growth, with everyone's trust and everyone's efforts.

People have the trust that if someone else has got benefits of our programs, it will also reach them. People have seen that India has raced ahead from 11th largest economy to the fifth largest economy. Now the country's aspiration is that India soon becomes the third largest economy.

By the end of the second term, even the most popular governments start losing support. Discontent toward governments has also increased in the last few years in the world. India stands out as an exception, where popular support for our government is increasing.

There is no contradiction between our physical infrastructure building and our commitment to fight climate change."

On democracy and a free press

We are a democracy, not only because our Constitution says so, but also because it is in our genes.

India is the mother of democracy. Be it Uttaramerur in Tamil Nadu, where you can find inscriptions about India's democratic values from 1100 to 1200 years ago, or speak of our scriptures which give examples of political power being exercised by broad-based consultative bodies. As the largest democracy in the world, over 600 million people voted in the General Elections in 2019. In a few months from now, over 970 million eligible voters will exercise their franchise. More than one million polling stations would be set up across India.

Constantly increasing voter participation is a big certificate for the people's faith in Indian democracy.

A democracy like India is able to move ahead and function only because there is a vibrant feedback mechanism. And our media plays an important role in this regard. We have around 1.5 lakh [150,000] registered media publications and hundreds of news channels.

There are a few people in India and in the West who have lost [connection with] the people of India—their thought processes, feelings and aspirations. These people also tend to live in their own echo chamber of alternate realities. They conflate their own dissonance with the people with dubious claims of diminishing media freedom.

On infrastructure and the environment

The pace of India's transformation in the last decade has been accelerated by the rapid overhaul of its infrastructure.

In the last 10 years, our National Highways network increased 60 percent, from 91,287 kilometers [56,723 miles] in 2014 to 146,145 kilometers [90,810 miles] in 2023. We have more than doubled our airports, from 74 in 2014 to over 150 in 2024. Supported by our Sagarmala project, we have enhanced [the] capacity of our ports and improved the operational efficiency. We have started the tech-smart "Vande Bharat" trains for the comfort of our citizens and UDAN scheme to allow common people to fly.

Every road laid is a pathway to progress, every new airport opened provides a window to new opportunities, every railway station redeveloped energizes the local economy. We will further harness waterways. We will focus on building more metro lines across our cities to make urban transport more comfortable. We are building dedicated freight corridors for increasing efficiency of goods as well as passenger movement. Our airlines have ordered more than 1,000 planes recently, and this shows how fast our aviation infrastructure will grow.

There is no contradiction between our physical infrastructure building and our commitment to fight climate change. In fact, India offers a credible model of how to enhance physical infrastructure and yet be at the forefront of mitigating climate change: Be it lighting 10 million homes through [the] rooftop solar program or empowering farmers with solar-powered pumps, be it distributing 400 million energy-efficient bulbs and ensuring 13 million efficient streetlights or having one of the fastest adoption of EVs, be it airports or railway stations or bridges, our infrastructure is leveraging renewable energy.

Since 2014, India has massively stepped up investments in renewable energy with solar energy capacity increasing from just 2,820 MW in 2014 to over 72,000 MW now.

India is also well on its way to meet the 500 GW of renewable energy capacity and the climate commitment made in the Paris conference by 2030.

We have launched a $2.5 billion dollar National Green hydrogen mission which will contribute toward decarbonization and avert [a] further 50 MMT per annum of CO2 emissions by 2030.

We are launching 10,000 electric buses in 100 cities of India at a cost of almost $7 billion, giving a major boost to green urban mobility and reducing noise and air pollution.

India's per capita emission is already less than half of the global average. India will achieve net-zero emission by 2070 as announced.

The aim of rapid economic growth is to ensure empowerment of the poor and their social mobility."

On competing with China

India, as a democratic polity and global economic growth engine, is a natural choice for those looking to diversify their supply chains.

We have undertaken transformative economic reforms: Goods and Service Tax, corporate tax reduction, bankruptcy code, reforms in labor laws, relaxation in FDI norms. As a result, we have made significant improvement in ease of doing business. We are striving to make our regulatory framework, our taxation practices as well as our infrastructure at par with global standards.

We believe that when a country with one sixth of the world's population adopts global standards in these sectors, it will have a big positive impact on the world.

Our policies that encourage businesses and entrepreneurship, coupled with world-class infrastructure and availability of skilled talent have yielded results. We have major global manufacturing entities setting up shops in India.

We have initiated Production Linked Incentive schemes to strengthen manufacturing capabilities in India. These PLI schemes extend to 14 sectors such as electronics, solar modules, medical devices, automobiles, among others.

Given our strengths, India is now globally considered most suited for manufacturing world-class goods at competitive cost. Apart from producing for the world, the vast Indian domestic market is an added attraction. India is a perfect destination for those who want to set up trusted and resilient supply chains.

On digital payments and UPI, a Venmo-like system

I feel there are three important lessons from the success of UPI. First, technology should be open, interoperable, scalable and secure. Second, there should be democratization of technology. Third, people should be trusted to adapt quickly to technology and evolve.

UPI is a fine example of Indian innovation at its best. I see UPI as a simple tool that broke countless barriers, from financial barriers to geographical barriers. It has opened the world of digital transactions to the person at the last mile.

We have expansive economic ties with the U.S. In addition, we have a large Indian diaspora in the country, significant two-way tourist flows and over 300,000 Indian students pursuing higher education in the U.S. Given this robust connection, it would be mutually beneficial if UPI services are made available in the U.S.

Our talented people are filling skill gaps across the world.... They are acting as our ambassadors across the world."

On the challenge of sustaining and sharing economic growth

Today, India has a favorable demography. We are a young country with a median age of 28 years. We are committed to channeling this demographic dividend to transform India into a developed country by 2047.

I would not like to draw comparisons with China and Japan as each country faces unique challenges and has unique development models.

India has a unique cultural and social ethos. We have a culture of savings. There is also a unique model of family-oriented lifestyle which puts values at the center. In such a set-up, no family member is unproductive.

We are also focused on developing the full potential of our youth and also making them resilient and adaptive to future disruptions.

We are allocating a huge amount of money to facilitate long-term research in the sunrise sectors. India is venturing in areas like space, AI, green energy, semiconductors and other futuristic technologies.

The phenomenal growth of Indian startups is clearly visible. From hardly a hundred in 2014, we have over 1.25 lakh [125,000] registered startups today emerging from every corner of India. By constant skilling, reskilling and upskilling as well as becoming employment creators, our youth will ensure that they continue to lead even in the coming few decades.

For us, the aim of rapid economic growth is to ensure empowerment of the poor and their social mobility. You will be happy to know that the biggest beneficiaries of India's rapid growth in the last 10 years have been India's poor.

India has run the world's largest poverty-eradication drive in the last 10 years and has pulled 250 million people out of poverty. Only four nations in the world have a population more than that. According to a recent research paper, India has eliminated extreme poverty.

As a result of the robust economic growth, we have been able to run unprecedented welfare schemes. These welfare schemes have ensured that the poor get 40 million houses, over 100 million clean fuel connections, around 110 million clean water connections, over 110 million toilets, 500 million people get free health care and the last remaining 18 thousand villages get electricity.

These welfare measures have not only improved the standard of living for our poor but have also ensured multiple second-order effects like improving productivity, monetary and time savings and health outcomes.

Our efforts at improving social mobility have also extended to different sectors and geographies which were previously ignored. With the aspirational districts program, we have brought about a transformation in more than 100 districts which were previously termed as backward. With the vibrant villages program, we are bringing about a transformation in border villages, which were previously ignored. The eastern and northeastern part of India, which was long ignored, has seen [an] unprecedented push on infrastructure.

On the Indian diaspora

My association with our diaspora goes a long way back, even before I came into politics. I have been involved with our diaspora since the time I was doing social work.

In those days, I traveled extensively across the U.S. I would have traveled to around 29 states even before I became the Chief Minister of Gujarat. There used to be a scheme from Delta Airlines which offered unlimited discounted travel for a month. However, there would be no luggage allowed and no reservation of seats. I planned my travels meticulously, often using a map. I would take red-eye flights to ensure seat availability and opt for longer flights to avoid the need for hotel stays. In the morning, someone from the diaspora would pick me up, and I would spend the whole day with the community. This way, I observed them closely and got to know them well over time. I understood their potential, strengths and desires, but they lacked support and guidance.

Our diaspora has been staying abroad for a long time, often two to three generations. It is natural for the older generation to feel a special connection to their roots. They want their children to also be connected to their roots and it is also our duty to ensure that this bond remains strong. Our diaspora should feel that there is someone back home who cares about them and is there for them in any situation. Hence, we directed our efforts toward ensuring this.

Through hard work and commitment, they have earned name and fame for themselves. The success of the Indian diaspora is a global talking point today. Our talented people are filling skill gaps across the world. Whenever I go abroad, leaders of the country always have high praise for them. They are acting as our ambassadors across the world.

On religious minorities who complain of discrimination

These are usual tropes of some people who don't bother to meet people outside their bubbles. Even India's minorities don't buy this narrative anymore. Minorities from all religions, be it Muslim, Christians, Buddhist, Sikh, Jain or even a micro-minority like Parsis are living happily and thriving in India.

For the first time in our country, our government has come up with a unique saturation coverage approach when it comes to schemes and initiatives. They are not restricted for a group of people belonging to a particular community or a geography. They are meant to reach everyone, which means that they are designed in such a way that there cannot be any discrimination. Be it amenities like house, toilets, water connection or cooking fuel or be it collateral free credit or health insurance, it is reaching every citizen irrespective of his community and religion.

Women are at the forefront of India's development story today. We have changed the lexicon from women's development to women-led development."

On the status of women

Women are at the forefront of India's development story today. We have changed the lexicon from women's development to women-led development. I am happy to see you also using it.

We passed the pathbreaking legislation to provide 33 percent reservation for women in our Parliament and State legislatures. In the forthcoming general elections, we have 15 percent more women enrolled as new voters.

Maternal mortality ratio has dropped from 130 [out of 100,000 live births] in 2014 to 97 in 2020, and the nutritional status of women has significantly improved. We have among the most progressive maternity benefit laws in the world, offering fully paid leave of 26 weeks and have mandated compulsory creche [day care] facilities in any establishment with more than 50 employees.

Today, women are seeing increased participation across all sectors, including the armed forces.

We have opened 285 million bank accounts for poor women and provided collateral free loans to 300 million women entrepreneurs.

Millions of women are being benefited due to innovative schemes like Namo Drone Didi scheme, in which women are enabled to become drone operators in rural areas, and Lakhpati Didi scheme, in which 30 million women from self-help groups are being economically empowered to have annual household income of more than one lakh rupees [100,000 rupees or $1,200].

Around 15 percent of all pilots in India are women, which is the highest percentage in the world.

These progressive measures have ensured that the female labor force participation rate has increased from 23 percent in 2017 to 37 percent in 2023, despite the enormous difficulties caused due to the pandemic.

I am the first Prime Minister of India who spoke about issues like toilets and sanitary pads. I spoke about respecting women and their choices in my Independence Day address from the ramparts of the Red Fort.

Be it India, or any part of the world, we all need to keep doing more to ensure the safety of women.

On China and the Quad

The U.S., Australia, Japan, India, China: All these countries are members of many groups. We are present in different combinations in different groups. Quad is not aimed against any country. Like many other international groupings, like SCO, BRICS and others, Quad is also a group of like-minded countries working on a shared positive agenda.

The Indo-Pacific region is the engine of global trade, innovation and growth and the security of the Indo-Pacific is important not only to the region, but to the world. Through shared efforts and implementation of development projects in the Indo-Pacific in the areas of climate action, disaster management, strategic technologies, reliable supply chain, health security, maritime security and counterterrorism, the Quad countries are demonstrating their vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

On the India-China border dispute

For India, the relationship with China is important and significant. It is my belief that we need to urgently address the prolonged situation on our borders so that the abnormality in our bilateral interactions can be put behind us. Stable and peaceful relations between India and China are important for not just our two countries but the entire region and world. I hope and believe that through positive and constructive bilateral engagement at the diplomatic and military levels, we will be able to restore and sustain peace and tranquility in our borders.

On Pakistan

I have congratulated the Prime Minister of Pakistan on taking over office. India has always advocated for advancing peace, security and prosperity in our region in an atmosphere free from terror and violence. [In relation to the imprisonment of Imran Khan], I won't comment on matters internal to Pakistan.

On criticism of ending Jammu and Kashmir's special status

I would encourage you to visit Jammu and Kashmir to witness firsthand the sweeping positive changes happening on [the] ground. Do not go by what I or others tell you. I went to Jammu and Kashmir just last month. For the first time, people have a new hope in their lives. The process of development, good governance and empowerment of the people is to be seen to be believed.

People are reaping the peace dividend: Over 21 million tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir in 2023. There has been a significant decline in terror incidents. Organized bandh/hartals [protests], stone pelting, which once disrupted normal life, are now a thing of the past

Not only this, the youth are also excited about sports events being held here. Sports is being seen as a career path for many youth there.

A new dawn has also emerged for Kashmiri women, who now enjoy the same rights as their male counterparts when it comes to inheriting property or transferring property to their children, regardless of their marital status or residency.

Post the revocation of Article 370, [which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir] the region has become a welcoming destination for global events, hosting significant gatherings like the Formula 4 racing event, Miss World and G20 meetings. Digital economy, startups, innovation and smart solutions are taking wings.

On the significance of the temple at Ram Mandir, which Modi dedicated himself

The name of Shri Ram is imprinted on our national consciousness. His life has set the contours of thoughts and values in our civilization. His name echoes across the length and breadth of our sacred land. Therefore, during the 11-day special ritual I observed, I made a pilgrimage to the places that carry the footprints of Shri Ram. My journey that took me to various corners of the country showed the revered place Shri Ram holds within each of us.

The return of Shri Ram to his birthplace marked a historic moment of unity for the nation. It was a culmination of centuries of perseverance and sacrifice. When I was asked to be part of the ceremony, I knew I would be representing the 1.4 billion people of the country, who have waited patiently for centuries to witness Ram Lalla's return.

During the 11 days leading up to this auspicious event, I carried with me the aspirations of countless devotees, eagerly anticipating this day. The ceremony itself brought the nation together into a celebration, akin to a second Diwali. Every home was illuminated by the light of Ram Jyoti. I see it as a divine blessing that I could experience the consecration ceremony as a representative of 1.4 billion Indians.

If they [every Indian] are able to live a life of dignity, achieve their dreams, I would consider my task done."

On his legacy

I think it is not my job to think about how I will be remembered, neither does this thought motivate me.

My motivation is the impact I could make in the lives of every Indian, whom I consider my family. If they are able to live a life of dignity, achieve their dreams, I would consider my task done. But till then, I am going to work tirelessly and devotedly to fulfill the aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians.

Modi on leadership

Listening is an important quality for leadership. I am god-gifted with this quality, and I have also cultivated it. Another quality that I have is that I am always in the moment. I am not distracted by phone calls, messages or anything else. When I am doing something, I am 100 percent involved and engrossed in that task.

For leaders, I feel it is important that they have a bottom-to-top feedback channel. A leader should have the ability to connect to the grassroots and get unfiltered feedback. There should also be multiple such channels of feedback, so that human biases and preferences get neutralized. I have spent at least a night in around 80 percent of India's districts. So I have direct connections almost everywhere, which helps me get direct feedback. At the same time, it is important that guidance or instructions efficiently reach from top to bottom.

Let me give you an example. When I was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, I received a call around 3 a.m. from someone in a town called Karjan. Normally, no one alerts a Chief Minister so early in the morning, but my staff knew my working style, so they alerted me. The person called to report a loud explosion in our town. He said I had come to his home for a meal in my earlier days, so he had familiarity with me and the urge to call me directly. I asked him what could be the reason. He told me that the railway line passes close to his house and it could be something related to the railways. So, I called the district administration, railway officials and my staff to inquire about the incident. None of them had heard about it, but immediately the entire administration set out to work. It turned out to be a train accident. However, because we had a head start in terms of getting timely information, we were able to react promptly. Before sunrise, we had managed the entire situation: the injured were in the hospital, and the accident site was cleared.

I am also a firm believer in delegation of work. I spend long hours understanding and discussing important matters and developing consensus. Once there is consensus, I believe in empowering people to execute it.

I didn't even know that I am good at communication. People observed this when I joined politics. So I said to myself, let's make good use of this skill.

I get hundreds of thousands of physical letters every month. I manage to check many letters and see for myself the emotions expressed by the people. It is from these letters that the thought of Mann Ki Baat [a monthly radio program] came to my mind. We have had 110 Mann Ki Baat episodes till now.

I feel negativity has a low shelf life. One needs to constantly churn out negativity for it to remain in people's minds. On the other hand, positivity is perennial. So, Mann Ki Baat is a medium for me to gain positivity from society and amplify it.

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PM Narendra Modi’s life journey in pictures

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stands behind a soldier's cut-out at ‘Shauryanjali’, a commemorative exhibition on Golden Jubilee of 1965 war at India Gate in New Delhi on Thursday (PTI photo)

Narendra Damodardas Modi, a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), born on September 17, 1950 to a family of grocers in Vadnagar, Mehsana district, is the 15th Prime Minister of India. Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray and Narendra Modi meet in Mumbai. (Source: Express Photo)

As a child Modi helped his father sell tea at Vadnagar railway station, and later ran a tea stall with his brother near a bus terminus. He completed his higher secondary education in Vadnagar in 1967, where a teacher described him as an average student and a keen debater with an interest in theatre. Narendra Modi shows victory sign as he casts his vote during the first phase of the 14th Lok Sabha elections in Ahmedabad. Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014. (Source: PTI)

At the age of eight, Modi discovered RSS, and began attending its training sessions. There he met Lakshmanrao Inamdar, popularly known as Vakil Saheb, who inducted him as an RSS junior cadet and became his political mentor. (Source: Express Photo)

In 1988, Modi was elected as the organising secretary of the party's Gujarat unit, marking his entrance into the electoral politics. He rose within the party by helping L. K. Advani organise Ayodhya Rath Yatra in 1990 and Murli Manohar Joshi's Ekta Yatra in 1991-92. Senior BJP leader Lal Krishan Advani, former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Shanta Kumar and Narendra Modi during a rally at the Swarn Jayanti Rath Yatra on July 8, 1997. (Source: Express Photo)

Narendra Modi is seen at a work site on the banks of Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad. (Source: PTI)

Lal Krishan Advani is flanked by former Haryana Chief Minister Bansi Lal and Narendra Modi. (Source: Express Photo)

Modi's government has branded Gujarat as a state of dynamic development, economic growth and prosperity with the slogan, "Vibrant Gujarat".

Narendra Modi inaugurates Bal Bhog Yojna at his residence. (Source: Express Photo)

Former Gujarat Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel and Narendra Modi's BJP government supported NGOs and communities in the creation of groundwater-conservation projects. Political leader Kesu Bhai Patel (l) and Narendra Modi (R). (Source: Express Photo)

The Modi's government brought electricity to every village in Gujarat, greatly impacting farmers. (Source: Agency Photo)

Modi visited China, Singapore and Japan to attract the foreign investors to Gujarat. A month after his China visit in 2011, the Chinese government released 13 Indian diamond traders, who were charged with smuggling in Shenzhen, with Modi attributing their release to his diplomacy and statesmanship.(Source: Express Photo)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif greet each other during the oath taking ceremony of the BJP led government in New Delhi on Monday, May 26, 2014. (Source: Express Photo by Neeraj Priyadarshi)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being welcomed by Reliance Foundation Chairperson Nita Ambani and Mukesh Ambani on his arrival for the re-dedication and inauguration of HN Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai. (Source: PTI)

U.S. President Barack Obama and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) talk as they have coffee and tea together in the gardens of Hyderabad House in New Delhi January 25, 2015. Obama is visiting India for three days to attend Republic Day celebrations and meet with Indian leaders. (Source: Reuters)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hugs the new Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mufti Mohammad Syeed at the swearing-in ceremony,in Jammu on Sunday, March 1, 2015. (Source: PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi poses for a photo with students during a visit to Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia on Friday November 14, 2014. (Source: PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets Congress President Sonia Gandhi and former PM Manmohan Singh during Dussehra celebrations at Subhash Maidan in New Delhi on Friday, October 3, 2014. (Source: PTI)

Prime Minster Narendra Modi taking selfie with President of Mongolia Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj during a meeting in Ulan Bator, Mongolia on Sunday, May 17, 2015. (Source: PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi plays with a child during his visit to the Golden Pavilion Temple in Japan on Sunday, August 31, 2014. (Source: PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi beats a traditional Taiko drum during inauguration of the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Japan Technology and Culture Academy in Tokyo on Tuesday, September 2, 2014. (Source: PTI)

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (C) tries to play a soprano recorder before school children at a music class during a visit at Taimei Elementary School in Tokyo September 1, 2014. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will tell his Indian counterpart Modi at a summit on Monday that Japan aims to double its direct investment in India in five years from some $2 billion last year, the Nikkei business daily reported. (Source: Reuters)

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (C) and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (R) enjoys tea cakes during a tea ceremony at the Omotesenke tea hut, one of the main schools for Japanese tea ceremony, in Tokyo September 1, 2014. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will tell his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at a summit on Monday that Japan aims to double its direct investment in India in five years from some $2 billion last year, the Nikkei business daily reported. (Source: Reuters)

US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as they begin a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington (Source: Reuters)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi talking with his Mongolian counterpart Chimed Saikhanbileg during the Mini Naadam festival in Ulan Bator, Mongolia on Sunday, May 17, 2015. (Source: PTI)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan greet Prime Minister Narendra Modi before the welcoming banquet for the BRICS Summit, in Xiamen, China (Source: Reuters)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Siachen on the occasion of Diwali on Thursday, October 24, 2014. (Source: PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in traditional Naga attire, addresses the gathering during the opening day of the Hornbill festival at Kisama village on the outskirts of Kohima in Nagaland on Monday, December 1, 2014. (Source: PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi presenting the book, "Mann Ki Baat - A Social Revolution on Radio" to the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, at Mahatma Mandir Centre in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. (Source: PTI Photo/PIB)

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Narendra Modi: India's prime minister eyeing a historic third term

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is eyeing a historic third consecutive term in general elections being held in April and May.

A nationwide poll by India Today magazine last August showed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader's popularity remained intact after a decade in power: more than half of respondents felt he should continue to lead India.

If that happens Mr Modi, 73, will equal the three-term record of Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister.

Under Mr Modi, the BJP has become the first party to win clear majorities since Congress in the 1984 elections. He's possibly the only leader to claim mass appeal almost throughout India since Indira Gandhi, who was murdered in 1984.

Narendra Modi has reinvented Indian politics

Mr Modi is a divisive figure, evoking both admiration and criticism. He has promoted his brand of muscular Hindu nationalism at home and been received as India's leader on the international stage.

The BJP's electoral triumphs are often linked to Mr Modi's charisma, adept use of religious polarisation and assertive Hindu nationalism, coupled with a record of effective governance. Factors like caste, identity and a slew of welfare programmes have also contributed to his support.

In January Mr Modi opened the $220m grand temple to Hindu god Ram in Ayodhya, informally launching his campaign for a third term.

The timing of the opening leaned more towards political strategy than religious significance, building a Hindu nationalist momentum ahead of the polls. In a nationwide poll in February, 42% of the respondents said the opening of the temple was the major highlight of Mr Modi's government.

Mr Modi talks about India in the middle of an amrit kaal, or a golden age.

India is one of the world's fastest-growing major economies today, projected to maintain this pace in the coming years. The outlook is sustained by robust government spending, according to a Reuters poll of economists .

Transforming a flashpoint holy city into the ‘Hindu Vatican’

Mr Modi's government spending has primarily focused on building infrastructure. But the slow pace of private investment, education, a jobs shortage and pollution pose major challenges.

Mr Modi also envisages India as a vishwaguru or "teacher to the world", a vision he championed during India's presidency last year of the G20, whose members account for 85% of the world's GDP.

He also positioned India as the "voice of the Global South". Many believe that India's G20 presidency was a win for Mr Modi, showcasing India's achievements to a global audience and resonating with his domestic voters.

In April last year, when India joined the exclusive group of countries landing on the Moon alongside America, China, and the Soviet Union, Mr Modi hailed it as the "victory cry of a new India". The lunar landing, framed as an accomplishment under the premier's leadership, seamlessly aligned with his nationalist messaging.

Mr Modi's foreign policy record has been mixed. He bolstered ties with the US, and after a grand state visit to Washington in June last year, President Joe Biden deemed the partnership "among the most consequential in the world."

A key reason is that Washington is keen to draw India closer so that it can act as a counterbalance to China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. But India's relations with China remain strained.

How India is asserting its global presence at G20 summit

Mr Modi's critics believe his government has emboldened Hindu hotheads, curtailed space for dissent, and led to harassment and attacks on minorities, particularly Muslims, as well as activists, the press, and opposition politicians. In 2021, Sweden-based V-Dem Institute controversially said India had become an "electoral autocracy" .

Mr Modi has made general elections in India largely presidential, and braved anti-incumbency.

In 2019, he secured a massive victory despite surging unemployment, declining agricultural incomes, and a slowdown in industrial production.

The impact of the 2016 currency ban (also called demonetisation ), aimed at uncovering undeclared wealth, and criticisms of a poorly-designed and complex uniform sales tax added to the challenges faced by many Indians. India's failure to promptly address the devastating second wave of Covid in 2021 also did not diminish Mr Modi's popularity.

Many Indians view Mr Modi as a messiah capable of resolving all their issues. According to a 2019 survey by the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), a Delhi-based think tank, one-third of BJP voters indicated they would have backed a different party if Mr Modi weren't the prime ministerial candidate.

'Any story could be your last' - India's crackdown on Kashmir press

Mr Modi was propelled to power after his party's first spectacular general election win, in May 2014.

For years he had been persona non grata in the US, UK and other countries because of deadly anti-Muslim riots in Gujarat state that took place on his watch as chief minister in 2002. Mr Modi has always denied allegations that he could have done more to stop the bloodshed.

With his track record of economic success in Gujarat, Mr Modi fought in 2014 with the slogan "sabka sath, sabka vikas" (together with all, development for all).

In 2019, the BJP made nationalism and national security its main election planks, and in many ways the result was a referendum on this strategy, and more widely on his leadership.

Mr Modi's first term as PM was a mixed bag of hits and misses amid concerns over rising Hindu nationalism, a slowing economy and violence against India's Muslim minority.

Landmark schemes his government launched include cheap cooking gas for the poor, a nationwide Goods and Services Tax, a health insurance scheme for the poor and a new bankruptcy and insolvency law.

His decision to promote and fund the construction of toilets in villages across the country to end open defecation was largely praised.

The year India reached the Moon - and aimed for the Sun

But demonetisation, as it was called, was viewed as a blunder by economists and could easily have backfired on him. Mr Modi claimed it was a success but in fact, his controversial decision to ban 500 and 1,000-rupee notes - as part of a crackdown on corruption and illegal cash holdings - badly hurt the economy, particularly the informal sector that largely relies on cash transactions.

Following his sudden announcement on 8 November 2016, the country was thrown into chaos. The following weeks saw a shortage of new notes and people struggled to deposit their old notes in the banks.

And the BJP's Hindu nationalist drive has also drawn criticism for Mr Modi. During his tenure, many BJP-governed states banned the consumption and sale of beef. The cow is considered holy by Hindus.

There was shock when a Muslim man was lynched in 2015 for allegedly storing beef in his fridge. Other Muslims have been attacked and beaten by cow-vigilante groups.

Mr Modi remained silent whenever such incidents happened, which was perceived by many as tacit support for rising intolerance.

But these issues were largely absent from the BJP's campaign pitch in 2019. Nationalism became the mainstay for the party's election strategy.

It stemmed from Mr Modi's decision to send fighter jets inside Pakistani territory in response to a deadly militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir. This brought the two nuclear-armed states, which both claim Kashmir, to the brink of war.

Narendra Modi was born in 1950, the third of six children, to a family of grocers in what is present-day Gujarat.

He went on to serve as chief minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014, and became regarded as a dynamic and efficient politician who helped make the western state an economic powerhouse.

But he also is accused of doing little to stop the 2002 religious riots when more than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed - allegations he has consistently denied.

After the riots, Mr Modi faced international isolation with the US denying him visas and the UK severing ties. However, his 2014 victory helped him get reintegrated into the global political mainstream.

He travelled far and wide, and addressed massive gatherings of non-resident Indians in the US and the UK. Analysts say it was his way of announcing his arrival on the global stage.

Mr Modi's rise from chief minister of Gujarat to India's PM was dramatic and took many by surprise.

A brilliant orator, the party's poster boy faced stiff internal differences when the BJP named him as its candidate for PM.

For years, his critics said he could never be prime minister because of the riots.

His personal life also came under scrutiny, with critics accusing him of deserting his wife, Jashodaben. It was only in the run-up to the 2014 elections that he publicly admitted for the first time that they were married.

He was 17 when the arranged marriage took place but the couple barely lived together and have been estranged for years.

Mr Modi has always avoided questions about his personal life amid suggestions he wished to appear celibate to his Hindu nationalist base.

Analysts say one reason for his strength remains the support he enjoys among senior leaders in the right-wing Hindu Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

The RSS, founded in the 1920s with a clear objective to make India a Hindu nation, functions as an ideological fountainhead to a host of hardline Hindu groups - including the BJP, with which it has close ties.

Mr Modi has a formidable reputation as a party organiser, along with a reputation for secrecy, which comes from years of training as an RSS "pracharak", or propagandist, analysts say.

He joined the Gujarat state unit of the BJP in the 1980s. His big break came when his predecessor as chief minister had to step down after an earthquake in January 2001 that killed nearly 20,000 people.

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Narendra Modi: India’s popular but controversial leader seeking a transformative third term

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi once famously made a simple election promise: “good days are coming.”

To his adoring supporters, it’s a vision of a future now finally within reach should Modi and his right-wing Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secure an emphatic and rare third consecutive term at this month’s nationwide election .

At his rallies, tens of thousands gather in near frenzied religious devotion in support of a man whose policies they say have transformed the lives of ordinary Indians – and helped enshrine the nascent promise of social mobility in a country still riven by caste divisions.

Modi projects himself as an outsider from humble origins. Born as the son of a tea seller in a small town in Gujarat, he does not fit neatly within the often privately educated, resolutely metropolitan, English-speaking template set by many previous Indian leaders.

The 73-year-old is single, has no children, and seemingly shuns expensive material possessions in favor of a simple, ascetic lifestyle.

And though little is shared about Modi the man – his private life is assiduously guarded by a formidable public relations team – his persona resonates with many.

His political rise in some ways mirrors India’s own path from a newly independent nation freed from the shackles of colonialism to a confident, secure country inching ever closer to superpower status – albeit one wracked by deep and abiding fault lines.

Modi, his opponents argue, has done little to soothe those divisions.

Religious persecution and Islamophobia have increased sharply on his watch, with many accusing the prime minister of tacitly endorsing sectarianism as a means of further bolstering his Hindu-nationalist credentials, while diverting from policy failures – such as youth unemployment, which now stands at close to 50% among 20- to 24-year-olds.

Among India’s minorities, particularly the country’s 230 million Muslims, the prospect of another five-years for a prime minister who calls himself the “chowkidar” – or watchman – remains deeply concerning.

Many don’t believe Modi is watching out for them – instead, they say they are marginalized as he fulfills his party’s dream of transforming secular, pluralistic India into a majoritarian Hindu state.

“As he goes toward seeking a third term, Prime Minister Modi has positioned himself as a head priest alongside the head of the political system … the protector of the nation (and), as the creator of a Hindu-first nation,” said Saba Naqvi, author of “The Saffron Storm: From Vajpayee to Modi.”

This seemingly potent, populist mix of economic empowerment and Hindu nationalism has proved to be a successful electoral formula for Modi, confounding longstanding social and regional voting lines.

According to 2023 Pew research , about eight-in-ten Indian adults have a favorable view of Modi, including 55% who have a very favorable view. Such levels of popularity for a two-term incumbent prime minister defy all modern conventions, both in India and throughout much of the democratic world.

“He’s done something which has not happened before in Indian politics among all our prime ministers,” said Naqvi. “He has willfully created a cult of his own personality.”

‘Many people think he is God’

As the sun sets across the Ganges, Hindu devotees bathe in the holy river’s waters and priests offer daily prayer by its banks. It’s here, in the city of Varanasi – Modi’s own constituency – that this so-called cult of personality is on full display.

Billboards with the prime minister’s face appear on the corners of roads, and saffron flags with his party’s lotus symbol are hoisted on buildings across the dusty, meandering gulleys of the ancient city.

On the streets, his party’s volunteers go door-to-door advocating for the leader.

When Modi first ran for prime minister a decade ago, he did so on a promise of infrastructure, development and anti-corruption, choosing the city of gods as his constituency – its religious symbolism the perfect backdrop for his BJP’s Hindu nationalist ambitions.

In one of Varanasi’s oldest spice markets, shopkeepers say their lives have been transformed since.

“Many people think he is God,” said father of two, Akash Jaiswal, pointing to Modi’s welfare schemes and business incentives. “We’ve never had a prime minister like Modi ever. He’s done a great sacrifice for India, for us … We want him to be prime minister forever.”

Jaiswal even praised some of Modi’s most controversial leadership moments. “India had the least casualties during Covid,” he said, when in fact the country had the third highest number of pandemic-related deaths, after the United States and Brazil, according to the World Health Organization. Modi was highly criticized for his handling of the pandemic and accused of being underprepared, as hospitals reached their limit and morgues overflowed with bodies.

The city’s BJP President, Dileep Patel, who has helped Modi with all three of his election campaigns, however, isn’t surprised by his enduring levels of popularity. To him, Modi represents India’s future.

“Today India is strong, capable, and self-reliant under the prime minister’s leadership,” he said.

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Son of a teaseller

Modi’s official party biography tells the story of a poor boy, the third of six children, whose father was a “chaiwallah” or tea seller, who’d serve customers at the local train station to support his young family.

Promoted by the BJP, analysts say this tale of humble beginnings makes him relatable to hundreds of millions across the country. And it stands in stark contrast to the generations of India’s elite, urbane politicians that have historically risen to the top job.

“He comes from a poor background and that helps him understands the people of India,” said Varanasi BJP president Patel.

India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, was a member of the Indian National Congress , a political party that was pivotal in ending nearly 200 years of British colonial rule. His daughter, Indira Gandhi, also became prime minister, as did her son, Rajiv. All three studied overseas at Cambridge or Oxford.

The face of today’s Congress Party, and Modi’s primary opponent, is Rahul Gandhi, son of Rajiv, and an alumni of both Cambridge and Harvard.

Modi, by contrast, had a modest upbringing in the small town of Vadnagar, far from the political cut and thrust of the capital New Delhi, according to Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, author of “Narendra Modi: The Man, The Times.”

Mukhopadhyay notes Modi was an average student at school and his marriage was arranged to a woman at 17.

Though Mukhopadhyay claims the tale of Modi’s poverty is “grossly exaggerated,” his charisma – and confidence – was evident from an early age.

“He liked acting in school plays,” said Mukhopadhyay. “He always wanted to have the lead role. If the lead role was not given to him, he would not act in the play at all.”

Modi was still a child when he was exposed to the idea of Hindu nationalism through classes at the local branch of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a right-wing paramilitary organization that advocates for the establishment of Hindu hegemony within India.

Founded in 1925 by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, a campaigner who had split from Nehru’s Congress party over what he believed to be “undue pampering of the Muslims,” its central mission is to “nourish the Hindu culture,” according to the group’s website.

At 17, Modi abandoned his family and his wife, left his village and traversed India with the group in search of a spiritual awakening, according to his biography. He devoted himself to the RSS, never remarried and learned to “leave all the pleasures in life,” according to an interview he gave in 2019.

By 1972, he had become a “pracharak” for the RSS, according to his biography, someone appointed to spread their cause through meetings and public lectures.

The turning point for the young activist came in 1975, when then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi invoked what she called necessary “shock treatment” to stamp out internal unrest. She imposed a state of emergency, tightening government control, rounding up critics, censoring her opposition and silencing the press.

Detached from the demands of marriage, Modi then 25, saw an opportunity, according to his biography. He joined a movement to restore democracy to India, his profile states, marking the start of his journey to political high office.

And in the absence of a family life, many of his supporters have claimed him as part of their own, adding to his everyman appeal. “Modi is our family,” said the shopkeeper Jaiswal in Varanasi. “We are all his family.”

Entry into the BJP

Modi joined the BJP in 1987, when the fringe political party started gaining traction fueled by the rise of Hindu nationalism in India.

Considered to be the political arm of the RSS, the BJP gained prominence that decade when it advocated for the destruction of the Babri Masjid , a 16th-century mosque believed by Hindus to have been built on the site of the birthplace of the religion’s revered Lord Ram.

And it was thrust into the mainstream in 1992, when – spurred on by members of the BJP – Hindu hardliners attacked the mosque, ripping it apart with their hands, and setting off a wave of sectarian violence that reverberated through the nation.

One of the BJP’s founders Lal Krishna Advani – widely believed to be the brains behind the mosque’s destruction – saw a leader in Modi, giving him immense responsibilities within the party.

No politician “brings the experience that Modi does,” Naqvi, the author, said last month from her home in New Delhi, referring to his various political roles.

Modi thrived under Advani’s guidance, working his way through the ranks of the BJP. In 2001, he was appointed chief minister of the wealthy state of Gujarat.

Under Modi’s governance, the state introduced a wave of infrastructure, industry, and innovation to its arid landscape – making the “Gujarat model” synonymous with development and government efficiency.

His tenure was not without controversy.

Violence erupted in Gujarat in 2002 when Hindus blamed Muslims for setting fire to a train in an incident that killed dozens of Hindu pilgrims and sought revenge by attacking Muslim-owned homes and stores.

More than 1,000 people – mostly Muslims – were killed, according to government figures. Critics accused Modi of being complicit in the violence, alleging that his administration failed to prevent or adequately respond to the unrest.

Modi faced international repercussions in its aftermath, with the United States banning him from entering the country for many years over concerns about human rights violations.

He vehemently denied any wrongdoing, and the Supreme Court cleared him of complicity. Months after the violence, he was re-elected with a roaring majority – the “first evidence” of his cult following, said Naqvi, the author.

But the polarization of communities deeply divided the nation, leaving scars that persist to this day .

Political scientist Christophe Jaffrelot suggested events in Gujarat made Hindu nationalists more confident. “But Modi himself is so insecure, he cannot face any questions,” he said.

Modi infamously walked out of an interview in 2007, when journalist Karan Thapar pressed him on his role in the Gujarat riots. He rarely gives interviews, and has not held a solo press conference since becoming Prime Minister.

“He cannot face debate,” Jaffrelot said.

Becoming prime minister

Modi’s “Gujarat model” had become a blueprint for India and in 2014, the BJP won by a landslide, crushing the Congress – the party’s worst defeat in more than 100 years of its existence.

Since entering into office, Modi’s administration has upgraded the country’s aging transport network, building highways connecting small villages with major cities. His administration has built new power plants and maritime projects, and, according to recent remarks from Modi himself, subsidized the construction of some 40 million concrete homes for improvised families.

The administration also bolstered the country’s military capabilities. And it’s invested money in sports, science and high-end technology – letting India thrive on the world stage.

But for some observers, a troubling pattern has also emerged.

“He was able to popularize Hindu nationalistic politics and their ideology,” said Mukhopadhyay, the writer and unofficial Modi biographer.

Modi appointed Hindu nationalists to top positions in government, giving them the power to make sweeping changes to legislation , instilling a sense of fear among the 230 million Muslims living in the country.

In 2019, he roared through polls yet again – this time on a more clearly defined ticket of Hindu supremacy.

He abrogated the special autonomy of Kashmir – India’s only Muslim-majority state – bringing it under the direct control of New Delhi. His government implemented a controversial citizenship law considered by many to be discriminatory against Muslims.

He built the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on the site of the destroyed mosque, reviving painful memories of 1992’s bloodshed for many Muslims, but brought a sense of pride for millions of Hindu devotees.

And to his more vocal critics, Modi’s economic policies are also open to question. Despite India now boasting an economy that is projected to grow 7.3% this fiscal year – the highest rate among major global economies – accusations persist that Modi has failed to create enough jobs, or adequately bridge the gap between the country’s billionaire class and its most impoverished.

“He has made the poor, poorer. He has increased inequalities,” said Jaffrelot, in reference to the country’s wealth gap, which according to a recent study is more unequal than it was during British rule.

On the diplomatic front, he’s grown  closer to the US , been  wooed by Australia  and courted by the United Kingdom.

At the same time, Modi has kept India’s historically close relationship with Russia — snapping up huge amounts of Moscow’s oil despite the Ukraine invasion — and he maintains relations with both Israel and other Middle Eastern countries at a time of increased polarization.

And an overwhelming majority of Indians appear to put their weight behind his leadership. A recent Morning Consult poll ranked Modi as the world’s most popular global leader, with an approval rating of 76% at home.

“He’s the number one figure right now. He’s the only candidate for prime minister,” Naqvi said.

At a Modi rally in the northern city of Ghaziabad earlier this month, thousands of supporters thronged the large grounds as he walked on stage. Some dressed as the Indian god Ram, others head to toe in saffron, the official color of his BJP, their triumphant cries reverberating through the air.

In the city of Meerut in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, a Modi supporter says she is voting for him because he is “unlike any other politician in the world.”

“I have put Modi’s poster in my son’s room,” Raniva, who is 36 and goes by one name, said. “The way (he) is doing so much for the country, I hope my son also does good work for the country.”

On the streets of the capital New Delhi, opinion is more divided. “Nowadays there is so much fighting between Hindus and Muslims. We all know why,” said one rickshaw driver sitting outside the city’s famed Jama Mosque.

With Modi widely expected to comfortably win the upcoming election, some analysts say they have genuine fears about the future of the country’s democracy.

“I definitely see a decline in the quality of democracy in the country,” said Mukhopadhyay. “I see greater insecurity and marginalization of Muslims in India. That’s not a very rosy picture. But it’s the likely path India is going to take.”

CNN’s Sania Farooqui contributed reporting from Meerut.

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From early struggles to source of PM Modi's inspiration: Life of Heeraba Modi

Prime minister narendra modi's mother, heeraba modi, passed away at the age of 100 on friday. here's a look at her life, which remains a source of inspiration for the prime minister..

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mother Heeraba Modi passed away at the age of 100 on Friday - two days after she was admitted to Ahmedabad's UN Mehta Hospital. “A glorious century rests at the feet of God,” wrote PM Modi on Twitter.

Sharing her picture, PM Modi said, “In Maa I have always felt that trinity, which contains the journey of an ascetic, the symbol of a selfless Karmayogi and a life committed to values.”

àä¶àä¾àäèàäæàä¾àä° àä¶àääàä¾àä¬àåàäæàå€ àä•àä¾ àäˆàä¶àåàäµàä° àäšàä°àä£àå‹àä‚ àä®àå‡àä‚ àäµàä¿àä°àä¾àä®... àä®àä¾àä‚ àä®àå‡àä‚ àä®àåˆàä‚àäèàå‡ àä¹àä®àå‡àä¶àä¾ àä‰àä¸ àääàåàä°àä¿àä®àå‚àä°àåàääàä¿ àä•àå€ àä…àäèàåàä­àå‚àääàä¿ àä•àå€ àä¹àåˆ, àäœàä¿àä¸àä®àå‡àä‚ àäàä• àääàäªàä¸àåàäµàå€ àä•àå€ àäïàä¾àääàåàä°àä¾, àäèàä¿àä·àåàä•àä¾àä® àä•àä°àåàä®àäïàå‹àä—àå€ àä•àä¾ àäªàåàä°àääàå€àä• àä”àä° àä®àå‚àä²àåàäïàå‹àä‚ àä•àå‡ àäªàåàä°àääàä¿ àäªàåàä°àääàä¿àä¬àäæàåàäç àäœàå€àäµàäè àä¸àä®àä¾àä¹àä¿àää àä°àä¹àä¾ àä¹àåˆàåä pic.twitter.com/yE5xwRogJi — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 30, 2022

Born on 18 June, 1922, Heeraba Modi's hometown was Vadnagar in Mehsana, Gujarat. She has five sons - PM Narendra Modi, Pankaj Modi, Soma Modi, Amrit Modi and Prahlad Modi, and one daughter, Vasantiben Hasmukhlal Modi. Heeraba Modi lived in Raysan village near Gandhinagar with the prime minister's younger brother, Pankaj Modi.

Maaâ€æthis isn’t a mere word but it captures a range of emotions. Today, 18th June is the day my Mother Heeraba enters her 100th year. On this special day, I have penned a few thoughts expressing joy and gratitude. https://t.co/KnhBmUp2se — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 18, 2022

In his blog, the prime minister described his mother, Heeraba, as a simple but extraordinary woman. He said she suffered the loss of her mother when she was very young and endured many hardships in life, but has emerged all the more resilient for it.

"My Mother was born in Visnagar in Mehsana in Gujarat, which is quite close to my hometown, Vadnagar. She did not get her own mother's affection. At a tender age, she lost my grandmother to the Spanish Flu pandemic. She does not even remember my grandmother's face or the comfort of her lap. She spent her entire childhood without her mother. She could not throw tantrums at her mother, as we all do. She could not rest in her mother's lap like we all do. She could not even go to school and learn to read and write. Her childhood was one of poverty and deprivation," he wrote.

"Mother did not have much of a childhood due to these struggles - she was forced to grow beyond her age. She was the eldest child in her family and became the eldest daughter-in-law after marriage. In her childhood, she used to take care of the entire family and manage all the chores. After marriage, too, she picked up all these responsibilities. Despite the onerous responsibilities and everyday struggles, Mother held the entire family together with calm and fortitude," the prime minister added.

Tributes pour in as PM's mother Heeraben Modi dies

PM Modi also recollected some special moments from his childhood that he spent with his mother. He recalled several sacrifices made by his mother as he grew up and mentioned her various qualities that have shaped his mind, personality, and self-confidence.

He recalled the tiny house in Vadnagar with mud walls and clay tiles for a roof where he stayed with his parents and siblings. Not only did his mother do all the household chores by herself, but she also worked to supplement the meagre household income. She used to wash utensils at a few houses and take out time to spin the charkha to help meet the household expenses, he said.

"Mother used to wash utensils at a few houses to help meet the household expenses. She would also take out time to spin the charkha to supplement our meagre income. She would do everything from peeling cotton to spinning yarn. Even in this back-breaking work, her prime concern was ensuring that the cotton thorns don't prick us."

“During the rains, our roof would leak, and the house would flood. Mother would place buckets and utensils below the leaks to collect the rainwater. Even in this adverse situation, Mother would be a symbol of resilience,” PM Modi reminisced.

Read | Meet PM Modi's mother Heeraben, the woman behind his success

He also wrote that his mother made him realise that it was possible to be learned without being formally educated.

"When I became the chief minister of Gujarat, I wanted to publicly honour all my teachers. I thought that mother had been my biggest teacher in life, and I should also honour her. Even our scriptures mention that there is no bigger guru than one's mother - 'Nasti matr samo guruh' . I requested mother to attend the event, but she declined. She said, "See, I am an ordinary person. I may have given birth to you, but you have been taught and brought up by the Almighty." All my teachers were felicitated that day, but for Mother.

In addition, before the event, she inquired if anybody from our local teacher, Jethabhai Joshi Ji's family, would attend the event. He had overseen my early learning and even taught me the alphabet. She remembered him and knew that he had passed away. Though she did not come to the event, she made sure that I called someone from Jethabhai Joshi Ji's family.

Mother made me realise that it is possible to be learned without being formally educated. Her thought process and farsighted thinking have always surprised me," he said.

Reflecting on his mother’s extremely simple lifestyle, PM Modi wrote that there are no assets in his mother’s name. “I have never seen her wear any gold ornaments, and she has no interest either. Like earlier, she continues to lead an extremely simple lifestyle in her small room,” he stated.

In the blog post, PM Modi also highlighted the only two instances when his mother accompanied him publicly. Once, it was at a public function in Ahmedabad when she applied tilak on his forehead after he had returned from Srinagar where he had hoisted the national flag at Lal Chowk, completing the Ekta Yatra. The second instance was when PM Modi first took oath as Gujarat’s Chief Minister in 2001.

Read | My mother is simple and extraordinary: When PM Modi penned emotional blog after Heeraba turned 100 Published By: Nandini Singh Published On: Dec 30, 2022 --- ENDS ---

PM Launches ‘LiFE Movement’ for Adoption of Environment-Conscious Lifestyle Global Leaders Applaud India for Focusing on Individual Behaviour Change towards Climate Change

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the ‘Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE) Movement’ today via video conferencing.

The launch also initiated the ‘LiFE Global Call for Ideas and Papers’, inviting individuals, universities, think tanks, non-profits and others worldwide to submit measurable and scalable behavior change solutions that can drive climate-friendly behaviors among individuals, communities and organisations.

While delivering the keynote address, the PM stressed that the need of the hour to solve the challenge faced by our planet using human-centric, collective efforts and robust action that further sustainable development.

The Prime Minister reminded the gathering that this global initiative was proposed by him at COP26 last year. He added that the vision of LiFE is to live a lifestyle that is in tune with our planet and does not harm it. And those who live such a lifestyle are called “Pro-Planet People”. Mission LiFE borrows from the past, operates in the present and focuses on the future. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle are the concepts woven into our life. The Circular Economy has been an integral part of our culture and lifestyle.

The Prime Minister said that thanks to 1.3 billion Indians in the country he was able to do many good things for the environment in our country. He added that India’s forest cover is increasing and so is the population of lions, tigers, leopards, elephants and rhinos. He said that India’s commitment to reach 40% of installed electric capacity from non-fossil fuel-based sources has been achieved, 9 years ahead of schedule. The target of 10% ethanol blending in petrol has been achieved 5 months ahead of the November 2022 target. This is a major accomplishment given that blending was hardly 1.5% in 2013-14 and 5% in 2019-20. He said renewable energy has a very high focus in the government. Way ahead, he said, is all about innovation and openness. When technology and tradition mix, the vision of life will be taken further.

The Prime Minister recalled that Mahatma Gandhi talked about a zero-carbon lifestyle. In our daily life choices, let us pick the most sustainable options, he said. He urged the gathering to follow the principle of reuse, reduce and recycle. Our planet is one but our efforts have to be many - One earth, many efforts. “India stands ready to support any effort for a better environment and to further global wellness. Our track record speaks for itself,” he concluded.

The programme also witnessed the participation of Mr Bill Gates, Co-Chairman Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Lord Nicholas Stern, Climate Economist; Prof. Cass Sunstein, Author of Nudge Theory; Ms. Inger Anderson, UNEP Global Head; Mr Aniruddha Dasgupta, CEO and President World Resources Institute;  Mr Achim Steiner, UNDP Global Head; and Mr David Malpass, World Bank President, among others.

“I congratulate PM Modi on leading citizen action and encouraging pro-planet behaviours. Together we can build a green industrial revolution, one that stops climate change, protects vulnerable communities and puts the world on a path to progress. The necessity of collective action to address climate change has never been greater, and India’s role is crucial in ensuring we reach our climate goals,” said Bill Gates, Co-Chairman Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

“Fostering sustainable lifestyle that is in harmony with the environment is needed. We must act strongly to use and reuse our resources much more efficiently. Public action can and must incentivize private action. We must invest in our towns and cities to make sustainable lifestyles like cycling and walking possible. Finances will be necessary for this change,” said Lord Nicholas Stern, international climate economist. 

“The framework that India has been using and which is being used all over the world for behaviour change in connection with the environment and climate. It’s called the EAST framework. E stands for ‘easy’, and the basic idea is that if the goal is to help individuals or households, or companies to choose an environmentally preferable approach, to make it easy is often the best thing to do. A is for ‘attractive’. If we have spirited colours, if we have fonts and appearances that are attractive to people, then we are more likely to see behaviour change. India and other nations have often used attractiveness as a signal to promote environmentally preferable choices. S stands for ‘social’. If we know the social norm is in favour of environmentally better behaviour, or if we know people are increasingly engaged in environmentally preferable behaviour, we will see more of it. It creates a kind of self-fulfilling prophecy. Norms are essential for improving lifestyles. The T in the EAST framework is for ‘timely’. If people are given information or a reminder or a signal at exactly the right time when they are making the decision, or maybe the hour before, it’s more likely to be effective. That’s the EAST framework. I’d like to add one letter to the framework – the letter is F. So, we have a new acronym – FEAST. And the F is for ‘fun’. Often environmentally preferred behaviour, better lifestyles actually are fun. They make people smile. They make them feel they are contributing to their nation. We have seen this in India often in recent years,” said Cass Sunstein, Author of Nudge Theory and Behavioural Scientist at Harvard University.

“We are in the midst of a triple planetary crisis: climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. These crises have been entirely created by decades of relentless and unsustainable consumption and production. How we live and consume matters, and matters greatly. I welcome the launch by the Prime Minister of India of the LiFE movement on World Environment Day, because every person and every country needs to lead for the planet. With more than 1 billion people and home to a thriving generation of innovative entrepreneurs, India is central to global environmental action. I look forward to following your progress as you launch this hugely important movement because when India leans in, the world watches and follows,” Inger Anderson, UNEP Global Head.

“The Prime Minister correctly says thoughtful utilisation. It might actually mean consuming more for some. There are 800 million people in the world who don’t have electric connection. Its thoughtful utilisation. For 100 years, we have connected the success of prosperity with consumption. I see this movement as reversing that. I can’t over emphasize India the importance was launching this. India today consumes 1/3rd of the global average emission. So, where the world needs to go is where India is and not the other way around. India and ancient societies across the world, due to necessity and wisdom, have found ways to live with nature, thrive with nature, and to care of nature. That knowledge needs to be a part of our collective knowledge now,” said Aniruddh Dasgupta, CEO and President, World Resources Institute.

“United Nations is working side by side with countries and communities to help them in de-carbonizing and restoring our natural world while driving forward human development. Countries like India are serving as the energy behind the climate action on the world stage. That includes its works through cutting-edge technology, international solar alliance, the coalition for disaster resilience infrastructure and one sun one world one grid, which aims to interconnect solar energy at the world’s stage. Last year at COP26 in Glasgow, Prime Minister Modi advanced the idea for LiFE. It builds on the idea that individual action and behaviour are a key part of our collective responsibility. It aims to attract some of the world’s very best solutions to drive climate friendly behaviour amongst individuals and communities from grassroots innovators to academia to international organisations and beyond,” said Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator.

“The words of India’s ancient texts speak of the importance of the environment.

Mobilising communities for sustainable development is at the core of the World Bank’s work. Mobilisation of communities requires frontline motivators. India’s Anganwadi and ASHA workers and members of Self-Help Groups are examples of frontline workers who are embedded in communities and work at scale. Frontline motivators embedded in communities will be needed to bring about the many changes in behaviour and incentives for sustainable development. Mobilizing communities will also require more effective local governance and administration,” David Malpass, President, World Bank.

What is LiFE?

The idea of LiFE was introduced by the Prime Minister during the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow last year. The idea promotes an environmentally conscious lifestyle that focuses on ‘mindful and deliberate utilisation’ instead of ‘mindless and wasteful consumption’.

The LiFE Movement aims to utilise the power of collective action and nudge individuals across the world to undertake simple climate-friendly actions in their daily lives. The LiFE movement, additionally, also seeks to leverage the strength of social networks to influence social norms surrounding climate. The Mission plans to create and nurture a global network of individuals, namely ‘Pro-Planet People’ (P3), who will have a shared commitment to adopt and promote environmentally friendly lifestyles. Through the P3 community, the Mission seeks to create an ecosystem that will reinforce and enable environmentally friendly behaviours to be self-sustainable.

The Mission envisions replacing the prevalent ‘use-and-dispose’ economy—governed by mindless and destructive consumption—with a circular economy, which would be defined by mindful and deliberate utilization.

On PM's Mangalsutra Remark, Priyanka Gandhi Points To Mother, Grandmother

"the congress ruled for 50 years. has anyone robbed you of your gold or your mangalsutra when the war was on, indira gandhi gave her gold to the country. my mother's mangalsutra was sacrificed for this country," priyanka gandhi vadra said..

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra questioned if PM Modi understood the importance of mangalsutra.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra today countered Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comments about the Congress robbing people of their wealth to give to "infiltrators", questioning if such a thing has ever happened in the 50-year rule of the party. As for mangalsutras, her mother's was sacrificed for the country and her grandmother's gold was donated during the war, she pointed out.

Speaking in Bengaluru today, Ms Gandhi Vadra questioned her audience what they heard these days when they turn on the television. Not plans for their welfare or development, but "crazy talk" and demands.

"He says the Congress wants to take away your gold, your mangalsutra. The country has been independent for 70 years. The Congress ruled for 55 years. Has anyone robbed you of your gold or your mangalsutra? When the war was on, Indira Gandhi gave her gold to the country. My mother's mangalsutra was sacrificed for this country," she said.

"The Prime Minister says they will cross 400 seats and change the constitution... sometimes he says he is being abused, or talks about religion. You are among the most qualified cities in the world... do you deserve this?" she said.

PM Modi's comment that the Congress is planning to redistribute the country's wealth in favour of "infiltrators" generated a huge political row since the weekend, which has reached the Election Commission.

At a rally in Rajasthan, PM Modi had said the Congress manifesto promises that if they come to power, "everyone's property will be surveyed, it will calculate gold belonging to mothers and sisters and then redistribute it". They "won't even spare your mangalsutra," he had added.

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Today, he doubled down on the comments, saying he had "revealed some truths" which has "scared" the Congress. He also said that listening to Hanuman Chalisa has "become a crime under the Congress", recounting an incident about a man being beaten up badly in Karnataka, a Congress-ruled state. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra questioned if the Prime Minister understood the importance of mangalsutra.

"If Modi ji had understood the importance of 'Mangalsutra', he would not have said such things. When demonetisation happened, he took away the savings of women. During the farmers' protest, 600 farmers lost their lives, Did Modi-ji think about the 'Mangalsutra' of those widows?" she said.

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PM Modi’s crackdown on VIP treatment: 5 stories that show rise of 'every person is important' culture | VIDEO

Pm narendra modi has taken several steps portraying his government's crackdown on the vip culture since taking over the charge in 2014. from journey in metro trains to honouring the workers of the central vista project, pm modi has led from the front in this regard..

1. Scrapping red light culture from government vehicles

The Prime Minister ended the red light culture in the vehicles of senior ministers and government officials. In his monthly radio show ‘Mann Ki Baat’ in 2017, PM Modi had called for ending the VIP (Very Important Person) culture with EPI (Every Person is Important) culture.

The Modi cabinet had decided that red beacons would not be installed on government vehicles from May 1, 2017. PM Modi himself had said that every Indian is a VVIP. According to the decision taken by the government to end the red beacon culture of VVIP vehicles, there will be no red beacon on the vehicles of any VVIP including the President, Prime Minister and Chief Ministers from May 1. However, permission to use red lights was maintained only in vehicles used in emergency situations like ambulance and fire fighting.

2. Workers were made special guests

PM Modi said that the workers who were involved in the construction of the Central Vista project during the COVID time were invited as special guests on the occasion of Republic Day celebrations, indicating the end of VIP culture.

3. Waited for his turn for the vaccine

Talking about the vaccination programme by the Centre during the COVID wave in India, the Prime Minister said that he could have got himself vaccinated sooner, but he waited for his turn on the CoWIN portal. India had rolled out an application where users could track the status of their vaccination dates, the vaccine administered to them as well as the next date of second dose of vaccine to be administered.

4. Participation of poor children in the convocation ceremony

Talking about the university convocation ceremony, PM Modi said that he has always advocated the participation of poor children in those events. He said, “I tell the organisers that the first 50 seats in the convocation should be for my guest. I make the children who live in the slums and schools around the university attend the convocation ceremony. This is my culture.”

5. Mother Hiraben's funeral performed in simple manner

In an interview, the Prime Minister said that when his mother Hiraben was undergoing treatment at a government hospital in Gujarat when she passed away at the age of 100. She died during treatment in the government hospital. The funeral of PM Modi's mother Hiraben was also done in a simple manner in a government crematorium. There was no gathering of politicians during the last rites, and the rituals were performed in no VIP manner.

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