Narendra Damodardas Modi is the 14th and current prime minister of India since 2014. He is also a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Here are some points to explain his journey from his birth to his premiership:
- Birth and Early Life:
- Born on 17 September 1950 in Vadnagar, Gujarat, to a humble family.
- From a small town with modest means.
- Early Ventures:
- Left home at 17 to explore diverse cultures and spiritual paths across India.
- Involvement with RSS:
- Joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in 1971.
- Became a full-time worker, dedicating his life to national service.
- Role in Anti-Emergency Movement:
- Active participant in the anti-Emergency movement (1975-77).
- Arrested and jailed by the Indira Gandhi government.
- Rise in RSS and BJP:
- Ascended through RSS and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ranks.
- Held positions like the general secretary (organisation) of the BJP in 1998.
- Chief Minister of Gujarat:
- Became the Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001.
- Served for four consecutive terms until 2014, the longest-serving CM of the state.
- Leadership during Challenges:
- Guided the state through challenges like the 2001 Gujarat earthquake, 2002 riots, and 2008 Mumbai attacks.
- Achieved economic growth, social development, and good governance.
- Emergence as a Popular Leader:
- Developed a strong appeal among the youth, middle class, and diaspora.
- Vision for inclusive development.
- Prime Ministerial Candidacy and Victory:
- Chosen as the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 elections.
- Won with a historic mandate, securing 282 out of 543 seats in the Lok Sabha.
- First PM born in independent India; first non-Congress leader to win two consecutive terms with a full majority.
- Reforms and Initiatives:
- Initiated various transformative schemes like Make in India, Digital India, Swachh Bharat, Skill India, Startup India, Ayushman Bharat, and Ujjwala Yojana.
- Global Influence:
- Enhanced India’s global stature by forging strategic partnerships.
- Actively engaged in regional and international cooperation.
- Advocated for causes like climate change, terrorism, and renewable energy.