Narendra Modi

On 26th May 2014, Narendra Damodardas Modi was sworn in as Prime Minister of India at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi. His journey to becoming Prime Minister began in Vadnagar, a small town in North Gujarat’s Mehsana district. He was born on 17th September 1950, three years after India's independence, making him the first Prime Minister born in independent India. He was the third child of Damodardas and Hiraba Modi, who lived modestly in a small single-storey house measuring about 40 feet by 12 feet.

In his early years, Modi balanced his studies with helping at his family's tea stall as they struggled financially. Influenced by Swami Vivekananda, he developed a strong urge to serve society.

Modi's thoughts and dreams as a child were different from those of his peers. Vadnagar, once a centre of Buddhist learning and spirituality, might have influenced him. From a young age, he felt a strong desire to make a difference in society. Inspired by Swami Vivekananda, he pursued spiritualism and was driven to realize Vivekananda's dream of making India a Jagat Guru, or world teacher.

At 17, Modi left home to travel across India, immersing himself in its diverse cultures for two years. Upon returning, he was a changed person, with a clear vision for his future. He then moved to Ahmedabad and joined Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a socio-cultural organization focused on India's social and cultural revival.

From 1972, Modi's life in Ahmedabad was rigorous, starting his day at 5 AM and continuing late into the night as he became a Pracharak for RSS. In the late 1970s, he actively participated in the movement to restore democracy in India during the Emergency period.

During the 1980s, while fulfilling various roles within the Sangh, Modi distinguished himself as an exceptional organizer. In 1987, he took on the role of General Secretary of the BJP in Gujarat. His organizational prowess became evident as he led the BJP to its first victory in the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation elections. Additionally, under his leadership, the BJP secured a strong second position in the 1990 Gujarat Assembly elections. In 1995, his organizational skills further propelled the BJP to win 121 seats in the Assembly elections.

From 1995, Modi served as the National Secretary of the BJP, overseeing the party's activities in Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. As the General Secretary Organization, he played a pivotal role in securing victory for the BJP in the 1998 Lok Sabha elections.

In 1995, Modi took on the role of secretary for the BJP's national organization in New Delhi, then rose to become its general secretary three years later. He held this position for another three years until October 2001, when he replaced Keshubhai Patel as Gujarat's chief minister following Patel's criticized handling of the Bhuj earthquake aftermath, which claimed over 20,000 lives.

In September 2001, a phone call from then-Prime Minister Vajpayee marked a significant turning point in Modi's life, transitioning him from the realm of organizational politics to the sphere of governance.

Modi's entry into electoral politics came in February 2002 with a by-election that secured him a seat in the Gujarat state assembly. His subsequent political career was marked by both controversy and self-promoted achievements. He faced scrutiny for his role as chief minister during the communal riots in Gujarat in 2002, where over 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, lost their lives following the Godhra train incident.

The United States and the United Kingdom criticized Modi's involvement in the 2002 riots, leading to the denial of a diplomatic visa by the U.S. In the years following, although Modi himself avoided indictment or censure, some of his associates were found guilty of complicity in the events.

Modi's administration faced allegations of extrajudicial killings, including a controversial case in 2004 involving individuals accused of plotting against him. Despite these challenges, Modi's political success in Gujarat solidified his position within the BJP, leading to victories in the 2002, 2007, and 2012 state assembly elections. Each time, he secured his seat and returned as chief minister, emphasizing growth and development in Gujarat.

As the leader of the Gujarat government, Modi gained a strong reputation as an effective administrator, credited with driving the state's economy forward swiftly. His success in elections further bolstered his standing within the BJP, positioning him as a leading figure within the party and a potential contender for India's prime minister role. In June 2013, Modi was selected as the BJP's campaign leader for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

Following an intense campaign where Modi positioned himself as a practical leader capable of revitalizing India's sluggish economy, he and his party secured victory in the elections, with the BJP winning a clear majority of seats in the chamber. Modi took office as prime minister on May 26, 2014, and wasted no time in initiating various reforms. These included efforts to enhance India's transportation infrastructure and liberalize rules on foreign investment.

Early in his term, Modi achieved two significant diplomatic feats. In mid-September, he welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping on a visit to India, marking the first such visit by a Chinese leader in eight years. Later that month, Modi, having been granted a U.S. visa, made a successful trip to New York City, including a meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama.

As prime minister, Modi promoted Hindu culture and implemented wide-ranging economic reforms. These reforms, while ambitious, caused some temporary disruptions nationwide. Notably, the sudden demonetization of 500- and 1,000-rupee banknotes aimed to combat the use of "black money." Additionally, the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) centralized the consumption tax system, simplifying the tax structure but slowing GDP growth.

The disappointment over economic outcomes was evident during the late 2018 state elections, where the BJP faced losses in all five states, including its strongholds. However, a security crisis in Jammu and Kashmir in February 2019, which escalated tensions with Pakistan, boosted Modi's image just before the national elections. Despite initial concerns, Modi's charisma and the BJP's strong campaign secured their return to power, making Modi the first non-Congress Party prime minister to be re-elected after a full term.

During his second term, Modi's government made significant changes, including revoking Jammu and Kashmir's special status in October 2019, bringing it under direct union government control. This move faced criticism and legal challenges due to concerns about legality and restrictions on communication and movement in the region.

In March 2020, Modi took swift action to combat COVID-19, implementing strict nationwide measures. Indian biotech firms played a crucial role in vaccine development. To counter the pandemic's economic impact, Modi liberalized the agricultural sector in June 2020, leading to protests over fears of farmer exploitation.

In 2021, protests intensified, and COVID-19 cases surged, overwhelming the healthcare system. Modi's handling of the crisis, including holding political rallies, faced criticism. Despite this, the BJP lost elections in key states. In November, amidst ongoing protests, Modi announced the repeal of the agricultural reforms.

In October 2023, Modi fulfilled a BJP promise by announcing the construction of the Ram Mandir at Ram's birthplace, with the consecration ceremony held in January 2024. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, despite Modi's ambitious target of 400 seats for the BJP-led NDA alliance, they only won 240 seats. Although the NDA secured enough seats to form a government, Modi's BJP will rely on allies for support, marking his third term as prime minister.