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As he steps into his 75th year, we look back at his life and accomplishments, highlighting 74 key moments that define him as a leader.
- World’s Most Popular Leader: Surpassing even the President of the United States, PM Modi is ranked as the world’s most popular leader.
- Born on September 17: Narendra Modi was born on September 17, 1950, in Vadnagar, Gujarat.
- Joined RSS at Age 8: Modi became a junior member of the RSS at just eight years old.
- Chaiwala Roots: During the 1965 Indo-Pak war, Modi famously served masala chai to soldiers at the railway station.
- Celebrated Hindu-Muslim Festivals Together: During his childhood, Modi celebrated both Hindu and Muslim festivals with his friends.
- Aspiration to Become a Monk: Modi once harbored a deep desire to become a monk when he was younger.
- Graduated in 1978: Modi completed his high school in 1967, followed by a Bachelor’s in Political Science in 1978, and a postgraduate degree in 1982.
- Visits to Sadhus: In his early years, he traveled to the Himalayas to meet monks and explore spirituality.
- Married at Age 18: Modi married 17-year-old Jashodaben when he was 18.
- Poet in His 20s: During his 20s, Modi wrote poetry and was fond of photography.
- Acted in Plays: While in school, Modi participated in many plays, showcasing his oratory and dramatic skills.
- Courageous Childhood: In a display of courage, young Modi once brought home a baby crocodile!
- Never Took a Day Off as CM: As Gujarat’s Chief Minister, Modi never took a single day off.
- Dreamed of Joining the Army: Due to financial constraints, Modi couldn’t fulfill his dream of joining the army despite his passion.
- Sleeps Very Little: Modi is known for getting by with minimal sleep, attributing his energy to yoga, pranayama, and meditation.
- Sleeps on Flights: During foreign visits, Modi often prefers sleeping on flights rather than in hotels.
- Not a Legislator Before Becoming CM: When Modi became Gujarat’s Chief Minister in 2001, he wasn’t a member of the legislative assembly.
- First PM Born After Independence: Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to have been born in independent India.
- 13 Years as CM: Modi served as the Chief Minister of Gujarat for a total of 13 years.
- Global Fashion Icon: His signature Modi jacket and kurta have made him a global fashion trendsetter.
- Second PM to Win Two Consecutive Terms: Modi is the second Indian Prime Minister after Indira Gandhi to win back-to-back terms with a full majority.
- 10 Crore Twitter Followers: PM Modi has an impressive 10.1 crore followers on Twitter.
- Inspired by Swami Vivekananda: Swami Vivekananda has been a major source of inspiration for Modi.
- Orator Extraordinaire: Modi’s speeches draw massive crowds, and he is hailed as one of the best orators in modern politics.
- Tech-Savvy Leader: Modi is highly active on social media, using technology to engage with citizens across platforms.
- Joined BJP in 1985: After serving in the RSS, Modi formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1985.
- Featured in TIME’s 100 Most Influential: Modi was named among TIME Magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2014, 2015, and 2017.
- 79 Foreign Visits: As of September 2024, Modi has made 79 foreign trips, visiting 70 countries.
- Honored by 14 Countries: Modi has received the highest civilian honors from 14 countries.
- First Time MLA in 2002: Modi became an MLA in 2002, a year after becoming Gujarat’s CM.
- First-Time MP in 2014: Modi entered the Parliament for the first time in 2014, representing Varanasi.
- Became PM in His First Term as MP: Modi holds the rare distinction of becoming Prime Minister in his first term as a Member of Parliament.
- Fought Against Emergency: Modi actively opposed the Emergency imposed between 1975-77, earning recognition as a prominent leader.
- Unified Youth During Navnirman Movement: Modi played a vital role in uniting students during the Navnirman Movement in 1974.
- Led Secret Meetings: During the Emergency, Modi organized secret meetings to rally opposition forces.
- Communicated India’s Struggles Abroad: Modi worked to spread awareness about India’s internal struggles by connecting with people abroad during the Emergency.
- BBC Broadcast: Modi helped spread the RSS and opposition leaders’ ideas against the Emergency through BBC broadcasts.
- First Book in 1978: Modi authored his first book in 1978, titled “Sangharsh Ma Gujarat.”
- Traveled India for Two Years: In his teens, Modi left home to travel across India, studying its diverse cultures.
- First Political Victory: Modi’s political journey began when he led the BJP to victory in Ahmedabad’s Municipal Corporation elections in 1987.
- Fasts During Navratri: Modi’s regular fasting during Navratri has helped him develop immense discipline and patience.
- Meditated at Various Places: Modi’s regular meditation practices at religious sites, including Kedarnath, helped instill a sense of discipline.
- Spiritual Life: Modi is deeply drawn to spirituality and often retreats for meditation, as seen after the 2019 elections.
- Make in India: To boost India’s economy, Modi launched the ambitious Make in India campaign.
- Implemented GST: Modi spearheaded the introduction of a unified tax system, the Goods and Services Tax (GST), in India.
- Digital India: Modi’s Digital India campaign has improved connectivity, making services accessible to rural populations.
- Internet Revolution: Through the BharatNet initiative, Modi brought high-speed internet to rural areas, furthering Digital India’s success.
- Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: Modi’s commitment to cleanliness is reflected in his flagship Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
- Jan Dhan Yojana: Modi introduced Jan Dhan Yojana to ensure every Indian has access to a bank account, facilitating direct benefits transfers.
- Revoked Article 370: Modi made history by abrogating Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
- Ram Mandir Construction: Under Modi’s leadership, the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is being built, fulfilling a long-standing promise.
- Spent Time in Libraries: Modi spent much of his youth and college years in libraries, indulging in knowledge.
- Skilled Swimmer: Although active in various sports, swimming was Modi’s favorite childhood activity.
- Avoided Salt, Spice, and Sweets: Modi adopted a strict diet of avoiding salt, spices, and sweets in line with his aspiration to become a monk.
- India Hosts G20 Summit: Last year, under Modi’s leadership, India successfully hosted the G20 summit.
- Demonetization: In a bold move to curb black money, Modi announced the demonetization of high-value currency notes.
- Handled COVID-19 Crisis: Modi announced a nationwide lockdown to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, protecting millions from the virus.
- Promoted Start-Ups: Modi has strongly supported the start-up ecosystem, encouraging innovation and job creation.
- Garib Kalyan Yojana: Modi introduced welfare schemes to alleviate poverty and uplift rural India.
- Triple Talaq Ban: Modi’s government outlawed the practice of triple talaq, a significant reform for women’s rights.
- Celebrates Diwali with Soldiers: Every year, Modi celebrates Diwali with the Indian soldiers, honoring their service.
- International Yoga Day: Modi played a pivotal role in establishing International Yoga Day, promoting wellness globally.
- Mann Ki Baat: Modi’s radio show Mann Ki Baat has aired 113 episodes so far.
- Atmanirbhar Bharat: Modi initiated the Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign to make India self-reliant in every sector.
- Bullet Train Dream: Modi’s dream of launching a bullet train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad is set to become a reality soon.
- Global Peace Advocate: Modi is recognized globally for his efforts to promote peace on international platforms.
- US Visa Denial: In 2005, the United States denied Modi a visa, but in a twist of fate, he became the first Indian PM to be invited to address the US Congress.
- Increased Foreign Investments: Modi’s government has been instrumental in attracting foreign direct investment, boosting India’s global standing.
- Launched UDAN Scheme: To make air travel affordable, Modi launched the UDAN scheme, enhancing connectivity in smaller cities.
- The Statue of Unity: Modi inaugurated the Statue of Unity, the world’s tallest statue, in Gujarat to honor Sardar Patel.
- Foreign Relations Success: Modi has strengthened India’s diplomatic ties with countries across the world, from the US to Japan.
- Environment Advocate: Under Modi’s leadership, India is making strides towards achieving its Paris Climate Agreement goals.
- Vocal for Local: Modi’s “Vocal for Local” initiative has encouraged the consumption of Indian products, boosting domestic industries.
- Modi as a Visionary: As a leader, Narendra Modi is not just defined by his governance but by his vision of making India a global power.