In the long history of independent India, no leader has commanded such respect, authority, and popularity as Narendra Damodardas Modi. At 75, he remains as strong as ever—both in health and in the sharpness of his intellect. Since being declared the BJP’s Prime Ministerial face in 2013—endorsed not only by the party but also by reform-minded leaders like then Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar—India has witnessed a political transformation like never before. Modi’s 2014 victory was nothing short of historic. For the first time, the BJP secured a clear majority on its own—crossing 300 seats in a 542-strong Lok Sabha—outshining even the towering legacy of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani. Crucially, Modi upheld “coalition dharma,” keeping NDA partners intact even when the BJP alone could have governed. That triumph came when India was disillusioned by the UPA’s decade of scams, paralysis, and dynastic control. Dr. Manmohan Singh may have been personally honest, but his government functioned from 10 Janpath, exposing the hollowness of Congress rule. Since then, Modi has never looked back. He led the NDA to consecutive victories in 2019 and 2024—cementing his position as India’s longest-serving non-Congress Prime Minister and breaking the Nehru-Gandhi monopoly over leadership. Even Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi—propped up by dynasty and sympathy waves—could not boast of three consecutive mandates on their own merit. What explains this remarkable run? It is not merely electoral arithmetic but a record of governance that has transformed India. Modi expanded the BJP’s footprint into regions long neglected—especially the North-East—ending decades of Left-Congress stranglehold that kept those states underdeveloped. He turned the “fringe” BJP of the 1980s into the natural party of governance across much of India. On the economic front, the achievements are unparalleled. When Modi took office, India ranked 11th among global economies. By 2022, it had overtaken the UK to become fourth, and by 2026, it is set to be the third largest, behind only the US and China. Under his watch, India has become the world’s fastest-growing major economy, even as developed nations battle stagnation.
The dream of Viksit Bharat by 2047, when India turns 100, no longer looks distant. But economic statistics only tell half the story. Modi’s leadership has lifted over 25–30 crore Indians out of poverty. The percentage of the poor has dropped from nearly 50% to under 20%. Through the world’s largest welfare programs, ration was provided uninterrupted even during the devastating COVID-19 pandemic. Initiatives such as Jan Dhan bank accounts, direct cash transfers, subsidised LPG cylinders, tap water connections to every household, rural housing, and the construction of over 11 crore toilets have transformed lives at the grassroots. Infrastructure, too, has seen a revolution. Highways, airports, and ports have mushroomed across the nation. Along the sensitive Indo-China border—from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh—new tactical and logistical projects stand as testimony to Modi’s commitment to national security. India today is not only Atmanirbhar but also a formidable military and space power, recently showcased by the success of Chandrayaan-3 and the Aditya-L1 solar mission. Globally, Modi has elevated India’s standing. From the US to Japan, from Africa to the Middle East, he is hailed as a statesman who gives voice to the Global South while protecting India’s core interests. Few leaders in history—certainly none in the present—enjoy his blend of domestic popularity and international stature. Putin, Xi Jinping, Trump, Netanyahu, Macron—none match Modi’s trust ratings, which consistently hover above 70–80%. Meanwhile, India’s Opposition lies in disarray—reduced to little more than protecting “vote banks.” Bereft of vision, they can only envy Modi’s achievements, hoping to survive on divisive politics rather than constructive alternatives. Narendra Modi is, without exaggeration, a gift of Bharat Mata to her children. A leader who speaks of “140 crore Indians” with sincerity, who believes in inclusive development, and who embodies the spirit of a resurgent, confident India. As the nation marches toward 2047, Modi stands tall—not just as India’s leader, but as the tallest and most popular statesman in the world. Jug jug jiyo, Modi ji.
