Narendra Modi, born on September 17, 1950, in Vadnagar, India, is a prominent Indian politician. He is best known for his leadership within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In 2014, he led the BJP to a significant victory in the Lok Sabha elections, securing his position as India’s prime minister. Before that, from 2001 to 2014, he held the role of chief minister in Gujarat state, located in western India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hails from a small town in northern Gujarat. He earned his Master’s degree in political science from Gujarat University in Ahmedabad. During the early 1970s, he became a member of the pro-Hindu Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and even organized a local branch of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, which is the student wing of the RSS.
Narendra Modi steadily progressed within the RSS organization, and his association with them played a crucial role in shaping his future political career. In 1987, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and within a year, the Gujarat branch of the party appointed him as their general secretary.
Over the years, Narendra Modi played a significant role in strengthening the party’s influence in the state. His efforts came to fruition when he helped the BJP secure victory in the 1995 state legislative assembly elections. This triumph allowed the BJP to form the first-ever BJP-controlled government in India in March of that year.
In 1990, Narendra Modi was among the BJP members who participated in a coalition government in the state. Unfortunately, the BJP’s hold on the state administration lasted only until September 1996.
Narendra Modi completed his SSC in 1967 from the SSC board in Gujarat. He pursued a BA in Political Science through a distance education program at Delhi University in Delhi. In 1983, he earned his PG MA from Gujarat University in Ahmedabad, as per the information in his affidavit submitted to the Election Commission.
Narendra Modi, India’s 14th and current Prime Minister, was born on September 17, 1950, in Vadnagar, Gujarat. His full name is Narendra Damodardas Modi. As of September 17, 2023, he is 73 years old and remains an active and influential leader. Modi hails from a modest background, with his family owning a small grocery store.
He has exemplified that one’s achievements are not limited by their caste, creed, or place of residence. Interestingly, he became India’s first Prime Minister with a living mother when he took office.
Narendra Modi is well-known for his strategic skills and represents the Varanasi constituency in the Lok Sabha. He also served as the Chief Minister of Gujarat State from 2001 to 2014 before becoming the Prime Minister.
He is a member of parliament from the Varanasi district in Uttar Pradesh and is affiliated with both the right-wing Hindu nationalist paramilitary group Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Notably, he holds the record for being the Prime Minister for the longest time, excluding the Indian National Congress.
Narendra Modi’s journey within the BJP began in 1995 when he was appointed as the party’s national organization’s secretary. In 1998, he took on the role of the organization’s general secretary. He held this position for three years.
However, in October 2001, he replaced Keshubhai Patel, a fellow BJP member who faced criticism for his handling of the Bhuj earthquake in Gujarat, which tragically claimed over 20,000 lives that year.
In February 2002, Modi entered his first election and secured a seat in the Gujarat state assembly. His political career was marked by both controversy and self-promotion. One particularly contentious episode was his tenure as Gujarat’s chief minister during the 2002 riots following the Godhra train fire, where he faced accusations of either encouraging violence or not doing enough to prevent the loss of over 1,000 lives, primarily among Muslims.
Despite these controversies, the BJP achieved significant electoral victories. In December 2002, the party triumphed in the legislative assembly elections, securing 127 out of 182 seats, including one for Modi. They went on to win the state assembly elections in 2007 and 2012, securing 117 and 115 seats, respectively.
Modi was re-elected as chief minister on both occasions. During his time as Gujarat’s governor, Modi established a reputation as an effective leader, contributing to the state’s economic growth.
Modi’s success in elections and his position as a prominent leader within the BJP raised his profile and made him a potential candidate for the role of India’s prime minister.
Demonetization
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi believed that scrapping high-value banknotes would boost the economy and bring the country’s hidden economy into the open. As per this policy, the 500 and 1,000 rupee notes lost their validity after December 31, 2016.
GST Bill
In the 70 years since India’s independence, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) replaced over a dozen different taxes, thanks to the Modi administration. This move increased government revenue by including millions of businesses in the tax system. Businesses must upload their invoices to a website to comply with the tax, and those without tax identification numbers risk losing customers.
Abolition of Article 370
The Modi administration proposed dividing the state into two union territories, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, and repealed Article 370, which provided special status to Jammu and Kashmir. This change allowed foreigners to buy property in Jammu and Kashmir and opened state government positions and some college admissions to non-residents.
Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)
The Modi government introduced the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which makes it easier for persecuted non-Muslim minorities in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan to obtain Indian citizenship. This act, passed by Parliament about eight months ago, has sparked nationwide protests.
Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act
The triple talaq bill, approved by Parliament and granted approval by President Ram Nath Kovind, makes it illegal for Muslims to use instant divorce. The Act declared instant and irrevocable divorces, like saying “talaq” three times in a row, unlawful, whether spoken or through electronic means.
Ayodhya Ram Mandir
The Supreme Court allowed Hindus to build a temple in Ayodhya, ending years of legal disputes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated construction at the birthplace of Lord Ram in Ayodhya in a grand ceremony, fulfilling a decades-long goal of his political party.
Narendra Modi’s tenure as Prime Minister of India has seen significant initiatives in various domains, including:
Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, has authored numerous books. Here’s a list of the books he has written:
Narendra Modi is the current Prime Minister of India, serving since May 2014. He is a prominent Indian politician associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Narendra Modi was born on September 17, 1950, in Vadnagar, Gujarat, India.
Narendra Modi completed his SSC in 1967 and pursued a BA in Political Science through a distance education program at Delhi University. In 1983, he earned his PG MA from Gujarat University in Ahmedabad.
As of September 17, 2023, Narendra Modi is 73 years old.
Narendra Modi's political career includes serving as the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014 before becoming India's Prime Minister in 2014. He has implemented several significant policies and reforms, such as demonetization, the GST Bill, the abolition of Article 370, the Citizenship Amendment Act, and more.