PM Narendra Modi Biography
Narendra Modi, the current Prime Minister of India, was born on September 17, 1950, in Vadnagar, India. He commenced his second term as India’s Prime Minister on May 30, 2019, following his re-election. Prior to assuming the role of Prime Minister, Modi served as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, holding the position from October 2001 to May 2014, making him the longest-serving Chief Minister of the state. Modi’s journey is a testament to his resilience and determination, having transcended humble beginnings as a tea-seller to emerge as a visionary leader committed to driving development and progress in India.
Narendra Modi, born on September 17, 1950, in Vadnagar, Gujarat, hails from a humble background of grocers. His ascent to prominence underscores the notion that success transcends societal barriers such as caste and creed. Notably, he holds the distinction of being the first Prime Minister of India whose mother was alive during his tenure. Representing the Varanasi constituency in the Lok Sabha, Modi is revered for his astute political acumen and strategic prowess within his party. Since 2014, he has served as the Prime Minister of India, following his tenure as the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha Election, Narendra Modi secured victory by a margin of approximately 4.79 lakh votes over his opponent, Shalini Yadav of the Samajwadi Party. His second-term swearing-in ceremony as the Prime Minister of India took place on May 30, 2019. Notably, Modi’s re-election marks a significant milestone as he became the first leader from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to be elected for a second consecutive term following the completion of his initial five-year tenure.
He stands as a beacon of hope for billions of Indians, recognized as one of the most revered leaders with a strong focus on development. The slogan coined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, “Main Bhi Chowkidar,” underscores the value of labor and seeks to garner support from the working class. By adopting this slogan, he aimed to convey his commitment to diligently fulfilling his responsibilities as the nation’s ‘chowkidar.’ Additionally, he emphasized that every Indian actively engaged in the fight against corruption, uncleanliness, and social maladies for the nation’s progress is also a ‘Chowkidar.’ This resonant slogan, “Main bhi chowkidar,” quickly gained widespread traction, reflecting the collective aspiration for a cleaner, more transparent India.
In the 2014 elections, Narendra Modi orchestrated a remarkable triumph for the BJP. Interestingly, he holds the distinction of being both the Chief Minister of Gujarat and subsequently the Prime Minister of India as a first-time MLA and MP, respectively. Undoubtedly, his leadership credentials positioned him as one of the most promising candidates for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections. As evidenced by the election results in 2019, he once again emerged as the unequivocal voice representing the aspirations of India.
Political Career of Narendra Modi
- In 1987, Narendra Modi became a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and within a year, he ascended to the position of general secretary of the Gujarat branch of the party.
- In 1995, Narendra Modi gained recognition as a key strategist for his pivotal role in orchestrating successful campaigns for the party.
- In 1995, Narendra Modi assumed the role of Secretary within the BJP’s national unit.
- In the Gujarat Assembly elections of 1988, the BJP emerged victorious, securing the position of the ruling party in Gujarat.
- Two significant events played a pivotal role in bringing the BJP to power in 1998. Firstly, there was the Somnath to Ayodhya Rath Yatra, a lengthy journey led by L.K Advani. Secondly, there was a march from Kanyakumari to Kashmir under the leadership of Murli Manohar Joshi. These events galvanized public support and contributed significantly to the BJP’s electoral success.
- He was acknowledged for spearheading the task of restructuring the party’s organization across different states.
- In 1988, he assumed the role of General Secretary and remained in the position until 2001.
- In October 2001, he ascended to the position of Chief Minister of Gujarat following the resignation of his predecessor, Keshubhai Patel, due to health reasons. Additionally, the BJP suffered losses in a few state assembly seats during by-elections. He officially assumed office as the Chief Minister of Gujarat on October 7, 2001.
- Were you aware that he held the position of Chief Minister of Gujarat for three consecutive terms?
- On February 24, 2002, he secured victory in a by-election for the Rajkot II constituency, defeating Ashwin Mehta of the INC. This marked his initial and relatively brief tenure.
- He then contested from Maninagar and emerged victorious in the assembly election by defeating Oza Yatinbhai Narendrakumar of the INC. Subsequently, he retained the position of Chief Minister of Gujarat for a second term.
- During his third term as Chief Minister, which lasted from December 23, 2007, to December 20, 2012, he once again secured victory from the Maninagar constituency, defeating Dinsha Patel of the INC.
- Once more elected from Maninagar, Narendra Modi emerged victorious against Bhatt Shweta Sanjiv. Although he assumed office for his fourth term as Chief Minister, he later resigned from the assembly in 2014.
- Following his participation in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Narendra Modi contested for the first time and secured a significant victory. Sworn in as the Prime Minister of India on May 26, 2014, he notably became the first Prime Minister born after India’s independence from the British Empire.
Narendra Modi’s Childhood Days and Education
Narendra Modi was born on September 17, 1950, in Vadnagar, Mehsana district, then part of Bombay State (now Gujarat). His father, the late Damodardas Mulchand Modi, and his mother, Hiraben Modi, had six children, with Modi being the third eldest among them. During his childhood, Modi assisted his father in selling tea at the Vadnagar Railway Station. Later, he and his brother operated a tea stall near a bus terminus.
In 1967, Narendra Modi completed his higher secondary education in Vadnagar. At the age of 8, he joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). At 17, he chose not to marry and embarked on a two-year journey across the country. During this time, he visited several ashrams established by Swami Vivekananda. Upon returning to Vadnagar, Modi later moved to Ahmedabad, where he resided with his uncle, who was employed in the canteen at the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation.
In 1970, at the age of 20, Narendra Modi was deeply influenced by the RSS, leading him to become a full-time Pracharak. He formally joined the RSS in 1971 at the age of 21. During the early 1970s, he established a unit of the RSS’s student wing, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, in his area. His association with the organization has undoubtedly played a significant role in shaping his political career. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the School of Open Learning at the University of Delhi. Later, he completed his Master’s degree in political science from Gujarat University.
During his formative years, Narendra Modi encountered numerous challenges and adversities, yet he approached them with resilience, turning obstacles into opportunities through his courage and determination. His affiliation with the RSS instilled in him values of selflessness, social accountability, dedication, and patriotism. In the following narrative, we delve deeper into the biography of Narendra Modi.
Narendra Modi: Awards and Recognition
- In a 2007 survey by India Today Magazine, Narendra Modi was recognized as the best Chief Minister in the country.
- In 2009, he received the Asian Winner of the ‘fDi Personality of the Year’ award from FDI Magazine.
- He graced the cover of TIME’s Asian edition in March 2012, reflecting his growing international prominence.
- Ranked at 15 on Forbes magazine’s ‘World’s Most Powerful People’ list in 2014, his influence was globally acknowledged.
- Time magazine included him in their ‘Time 100 most influential people in the world’ list in 2014, 2015, and 2017, underscoring his significant impact on global affairs.
- In 2014, Narendra Modi was honored as the Indian of the Year by the CNN-IBN news network.
- Time Magazine’s 2015 ’30 most influential people on the internet’ list positioned him as the second most-followed politician on Twitter and Facebook.
- Bloomberg Markets Magazine ranked Modi as the 13th-Most-Influential Person in the World in 2015.
- Fortune Magazine’s inaugural list of the “World’s Greatest Leaders” in 2015 placed him at the fifth position.
- A wax statue of Modi was unveiled at Madame Tussaud Wax Museum in London in 2016, further solidifying his global recognition and influence.
- In 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honored with the Amir Amanullah Khan Award, Afghanistan’s highest civilian honor.
- April 2016 saw him receiving Saudi Arabia’s highest civilian honor, the ‘King Abdulaziz Sash’, from King Salman bin Abdulaziz.
- A 2017 poll conducted by the Gallup International Association (GIA) ranked Modi as the third top leader globally.
- According to 2018 statistics, he emerged as the third most followed head of state on Twitter and the most followed world leader on Facebook and Instagram.
- Modi secured the 9th position in Forbes’ World’s Most Powerful People list for 2018.
- In October 2018, Narendra Modi was honored with the UN’s highest environmental award, the ‘Champions of the Earth’, for his policy leadership in pioneering works such as the International Solar Alliance and fostering new areas of cooperation on environmental action.
- He received the Seoul Peace Prize in 2018 for his efforts in improving international cooperation, enhancing global economic growth, and accelerating the Human Development of the Indian populace through economic initiatives. Notably, he became the first Indian to win this prestigious award.
- On 10 February, Modi was bestowed with the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine, the highest civilian honor of Palestine awarded to foreign dignitaries.
- Narendra Modi was the inaugural recipient of the Philip Kotler Presidential Award in 2019.
- A biographical film titled “PM Narendra Modi,” starring Vivek Oberoi, was set to release in January 2019.
- On 4 April 2019, UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Al Nahyan conferred upon Indian PM Narendra Modi the Zayed Medal, the highest decoration awarded to kings, presidents, and heads of states, in recognition of his efforts in strengthening strategic ties with the UAE.
Major Works of Narendra Modi
- In Narendra Modi’s biography, several major works are highlighted:
- Following his second term as the CM of Gujarat in 2002, Modi directed his efforts towards bolstering the state’s economic development, transforming it into an appealing hub for businessmen and industrialists.
- During his third term as CM in 2007, Modi focused on enhancing agricultural growth rates, ensuring electricity reached all villages, and fostering rapid state-wide development.
- As the CM of Gujarat, Modi’s administration spearheaded groundwater conservation projects, facilitating the cultivation of Bt cotton through improved irrigation infrastructure via tube wells. Consequently, Gujarat emerged as the largest producer of Bt Cotton.
- Modi’s tenure also witnessed the electrification of every village in Gujarat, alongside a restructuring of the power distribution system, which separated agricultural electricity from rural electricity, bringing about significant changes in the state’s power management.
- In the BJP election campaigns of 2009 and 2014, Narendra Modi played a pivotal role, contributing significantly to the party’s electoral success.
- As the Chief Minister of Gujarat, he actively encouraged foreign investments in the state, facilitating its economic growth.
- Gujarat became the fourth state globally to establish a dedicated climate-change department under Modi’s leadership.
- Following his tenure as the Prime Minister of India, Modi initiated several ambitious projects, including “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan,” “Make in India,” and “Clean Ganga,” aimed at addressing critical national challenges.
- Modi has prioritized improving bilateral relations with other countries, demonstrating a keen interest in strengthening ties with India’s global partners.
- Additionally, he has actively worked towards enhancing diplomatic relations with neighbouring countries, emphasizing regional cooperation and mutual development.
Schemes launched by Narendra Modi
Narendra Modi’s biography includes a range of schemes launched during his tenure as Prime Minister of India.
- Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana aims to promote financial inclusion.
- Swachch Bharat Mission focuses on improving sanitation and cleanliness in public areas.
- Mudra Bank Yojana provides banking services to Medium and Small Enterprises.
- Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana offers skill training to the youth.
- Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana strengthens rural infrastructure.
- Make in India initiative aims to boost the manufacturing sector.
- Garib Kalyan Yojana addresses the welfare needs of the impoverished.
- E-Basta facilitates online learning.
- Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana empowers the financial future of the girl child.
- Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat enhances children’s literacy and numeracy skills.
- Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana provides LPG connections to BPL families.
- Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana enhances irrigation efficiency.
- Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana offers crop insurance against failure.
- Pahal is a scheme providing LPG subsidies.
- DDU-Grameen Kaushalya Yojana offers vocational training to rural youth as part of the ‘Skill India’ mission.
- Nayi Manzil Yojana provides skill-based training to Madrasa students.
- Stand Up India supports women and SC/ST entrepreneurs.
- Atal Pension Scheme offers a pension for unorganised sector employees.
- Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana provides accident insurance.
- Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana offers life insurance.
- Sagar Mala Project develops port infrastructure.
- Smart Cities Project enhances urban infrastructure.
- Rurban Mission provides modern facilities in villages.
- Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana offers affordable housing for all.
- Jan Aushadhi Scheme provides affordable medicines.
- Digital India promotes digitalization in the nation and economy.
- Digilocker secures documents online.
- School Nursery Yojana focuses on afforestation with the involvement of young citizens.
- Gold Monetization Scheme utilizes idle gold stocks in households for the economy.