Full Name: Narendra Damodardas Modi
Born: September 17, 1950
Place of Birth: Vadnagar, Mehsana district, Gujarat, India
Current Position: 14th Prime Minister of India (since May 26, 2014)
Party: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Constituency: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Education: BA in Political Science, MA in Political Science (Distance Education, University of Delhi, Gujarat University)
Early Life and Family
Narendra Modi was born to Damodardas Mulchand Modi and Heeraben Modi in Vadnagar, a small town in Gujarat. His family belonged to the Ghanchi community, classified as Other Backward Class (OBC). He was the third of six children. Modi’s father ran a tea stall, and young Narendra often helped him after school hours, serving tea to customers.
His early life was marked by financial struggles, but he showed a strong sense of discipline, determination, and leadership qualities from a young age. At the age of eight, Modi joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), an organization deeply rooted in Hindu nationalism, which would shape his ideological foundation.
Education and Early Ideological Influence
Modi completed his schooling in Vadnagar. He was an average student but possessed a passion for debate and theatre. After finishing high school, he briefly left home and traveled across India for around two years, visiting ashrams, religious places, and different states, seeking spiritual guidance.
Upon returning, he pursued his higher studies in political science. He later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Delhi through distance education, followed by a Master of Arts degree in Political Science from Gujarat University.
Political Career
RSS and Early Political Involvement
Modi’s formal political journey began in the 1970s when he became a full-time pracharak (campaigner) of the RSS. During this time, he worked closely with key leaders of the RSS and participated in organizing several movements, including the 1974 Nav Nirman Movement against corruption in Gujarat. He also opposed the Emergency (1975-77) imposed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, which led to his underground activism.
In 1985, he was assigned to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by the RSS, marking his transition into mainstream politics. Modi quickly rose through the ranks, initially as an organizational leader, where he gained a reputation for his managerial skills and strategic thinking.
Role in Gujarat Politics
Modi’s real ascent in the BJP started when he became the General Secretary of the party’s Gujarat unit in the 1980s. He played a significant role in the 1995 Gujarat Assembly elections, which resulted in the BJP forming its first government in the state. His organizational acumen gained national attention, and he was soon moved to Delhi to serve as the National Secretary of BJP.
Modi’s breakthrough came in 2001 when he was appointed the Chief Minister of Gujarat after Keshubhai Patel’s resignation, following criticism over the state’s handling of the Bhuj earthquake.
Chief Minister of Gujarat (2001–2014)
Tenure Overview: Modi served as the Chief Minister of Gujarat for over 13 years, from October 2001 to May 2014. His time in office is marked by economic growth, industrialization, and controversy, particularly regarding his role during the 2002 Gujarat riots.
- Economic Growth: Modi promoted a pro-business environment in Gujarat, focusing on infrastructure development, investment attraction, and improving governance. Under his leadership, Gujarat saw significant industrialization, becoming an attractive destination for industries like automotive, energy, and pharmaceuticals.
- 2002 Gujarat Riots: Modi’s tenure as Chief Minister was marred by the communal violence in Gujarat in 2002, which followed the burning of a train in Godhra that killed 59 Hindu pilgrims. Approximately 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed in the riots that ensued. Modi’s administration was heavily criticized for failing to prevent the violence. Despite several investigations, Modi has always denied allegations of complicity, and India’s Supreme Court later ruled that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute him.
- Vibrant Gujarat Summits: To boost the state’s economy, Modi initiated the Vibrant Gujarat Summits, which became a key platform to attract foreign investment and promote Gujarat’s industrial potential.
Modi’s governance model in Gujarat, dubbed the “Gujarat Model”, became central to his image as a development-oriented leader, and this reputation helped him become the face of BJP’s 2014 national election campaign.
Prime Minister of India (2014–Present)
First Term (2014–2019)
In the 2014 general elections, Modi led the BJP to a historic victory, securing 282 seats, the first time in 30 years that a single party had won an outright majority in the Indian Parliament.
His tenure as Prime Minister has been defined by several key initiatives:
- Economic Reforms: Modi launched several economic programs such as “Make in India”, aimed at boosting manufacturing, and “Digital India”, focusing on digital infrastructure and governance. However, his controversial decision of demonetization in 2016, where 86% of the currency in circulation was declared invalid overnight, received mixed responses due to its impact on the economy.
- GST Implementation: One of Modi’s biggest achievements in economic reforms was the rollout of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 2017, creating a unified tax system across the country.
- Welfare Schemes: Modi’s government launched welfare schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, which sought to provide bank accounts for the unbanked, and the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission), aimed at improving sanitation and cleanliness across India.
- Foreign Policy: Modi has focused on enhancing India’s global stature. His outreach to countries in South Asia, as well as strengthening ties with global powers like the U.S., Russia, and Japan, has been a significant part of his foreign policy. His government also pushed for stronger relations with the Indian diaspora.
Second Term (2019–Present)
Modi secured a landslide victory in the 2019 general elections, with the BJP winning 303 seats.
- Article 370 Abrogation: One of the most significant decisions of Modi’s second term was the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, which granted special status to Jammu & Kashmir. This move was aimed at integrating the region fully with India but has been met with international and domestic criticism.
- Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA): Another controversial move was the passage of the CAA in 2019, which aimed to fast-track citizenship for religious minorities from neighboring countries, excluding Muslims. This led to nationwide protests.
- COVID-19 Pandemic: Modi’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in India has received both praise and criticism. His government imposed one of the strictest lockdowns in the world in March 2020. The Vaccine Maitri program, where India supplied COVID-19 vaccines to various countries, bolstered India’s global leadership.
Personal Life
Modi has remained a bachelor for most of his life, although he was briefly married to Jashodaben Narendrabhai Modi in an arranged marriage when he was a teenager. However, the marriage was short-lived, and Modi has publicly acknowledged it only recently.
Modi is known for his simple lifestyle, strong work ethic, and deep commitment to Hindu values. He has a strong public image of being a tireless worker, often credited for having exceptional political acumen and communication skills.
Legacy and Impact
Narendra Modi’s rise to the highest political office in India is often seen as a transformational shift in Indian politics. His leadership has redefined India’s political discourse around nationalism, development, and governance. While his policies have been praised for their boldness, his tenure has also attracted significant criticism for polarizing the political climate and fostering a more centralized form of leadership.
Key Awards and Recognition
- Champion of the Earth Award (2018): By the United Nations for his efforts in environmental conservation.
- Order of Zayed (2019): The highest civilian honor from the United Arab Emirates.