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INDEPENDENT INDIA has seen 15 prime ministers from Jawaharlal Nehru to Narendra Damodardas Modi. They served the country in different socio-political and economic scenarios, addressing a variety of challenges to the best of their abilities. The saga of the present incumbent tells a unique story.
Today, on June 10, Narendra Modi became the elected PM with the longest continuous tenure — 4,399 days in office, surpassing Nehru’s record. He has three more years to go in his term. The achievement is significant because it comes in an era of unprecedented political competition, coalition dynamics, 24-hour media scrutiny, and the rise of social media-driven public discourse.
Born to parents of modest means, Modi worked as a tea vendor in Vadnagar, Gujarat, assisting his father. To travel from there to the PM’s office in South Block in the national capital is an extraordinary achievement.
His was a journey of self-realisation, of understanding Bharat, the people and their problems, envisioning the destiny of our country as “Swarnim Bharat” and striving for the realisation of this vision. His mind was primarily shaped by his early association with the RSS. For most of his life, he quietly went about discharging the duties assigned by the RSS, Jana Sangh and BJP at various levels. In the process, he acquired immense organisational abilities, clarity of thought, courage to dream of India’s destiny and the ability to rise to the occasion when the call of duty knocked at his door.
At 51, Modi became the youngest Chief Minister of Gujarat. He demonstrated his abilities from day one, unleashing and channelising the entrepreneurial abilities and energies of the people of Gujarat. His 13-year, unbroken tenure as CM was eventful in several ways. The Gujarat model that emerged during his tenure captured the imagination of the people of the country. The people of Bharat yearned for a leader who could deliver. They found such a leader in Modi.
Modi led the NDA to victory in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. For the first time, the BJP secured a majority on its own. I am glad to have been one of the senior leaders of the BJP who strongly pitched for Modi as PM. Modi repeated this stellar performance in the next two elections in a row.
PM Modi believes that Bharat’s transformation can’t be realised without the people’s participation. Swachh Bharat was made into a people’s movement with the construction of over 12 crore individual household toilets; over 4 crore houses were built for the poor; over 57 crore bank accounts opened under JAM; Rs 45 lakh crore transferred to beneficiaries under DBT; LPG connections for over 10 crore women oiling kitchens inhaling smoke. Over 24,000 crore digital transactions through UPI made our country the global leader in real-time digital payments; 80 crore people got food support during the Covid-19 pandemic and continue to get it. Modi’s philosophy is “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas”.
PM Modi pioneered human resource development with a massive expansion in educational and health institutions. IITs, IIMs and AIIMS have increased manifold across the country. Ayushman Bharat is the world’s largest publicly funded health programme.
PM Modi does not believe in stereotypes. Appeasement is not the right option. The abrogation of Article 370, abolition of triple talaq, introduction of GST reforms against much opposition, 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies are clear pointers.
Modi has left an indelible impression on internal and national security. Left-wing extremism is almost wiped out. Surgical strikes and Operation Sindoor taught effective lessons to those casting an evil eye on us. Our foreign policy is no different.
PM Modi made it clear that it will only be aligned with national interests and not individual countries. The voice of Bharat now matters at all global dialogue tables.
I observed PM Narendra Modi’s thought processes and work for a few months after he assumed office in 2014, in order to assess his mission. I then publicly stated that MODI stands for “Making of Developed India”. After these 12 years, I have no hesitation in rechristening MODI as the “Man of Destiny for India”. That destiny is Swarnim Bharat. Bharat is safe and secure in his hands. I wish Narendra Damodardas Bharat Modi all the best in his endeavours.
(The writer is the former Vice President of India)