PM Narendra Modi is the modern Rajarshi (Royal Monk) who won in the mission of embracing the power and spirit of Upanishads. When he took oath as the Prime Minister of India on May 26, 2014, the very idea of ‘Rashtraya Swaha’ had entered into his thought process. It was the Upanishad verse of ‘Idam Na Mama’ that throbbed in his inner heart, reported a media. “These all are not my belongings, but my country’s” is the meaning of the above Upanishad verse.
Our PM was born as the third son of a common man in Mehsana district of Gujarat on September 17, 1950. Today he turns 70. He has a past of selling tea, during childhood, along with his father and elder brother. During the adolescence he spent an year in Himalayas with a wish to lead a spiritual life. After returning he started to take up active RSS responsibilities and later on he came out as full time Pracharak of RSS. Under this capacity he led ABVP, anti-corruption movement and Nav Nirman Samiti. Obviously he was the prominent leader of anti-Emergency movement in Gujarat.
After joining BJP he shouldered the organizational responsibilities as Gujarat Organising Secretary and national General Secretary. Thus he became a seasoned, experienced popular leader. He was the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to May 21, 2014. He never lost his mental balance when a tsunami of false propagandas were unleashed against him intentionally. He became one of the exemplary rulers the country has ever seen when Gujarat came out with flying colours of development.
The sovereignty of the country is vested on people according to the country’s Constitution. Parliament is the highest seat where the people’s will and wish should be reflected as per the parliamentary democratic system. Our parliament is considered as the sanctum sanctorum of our country’s democracy. PM Modi prostrated on the steps of the parliament house before entering the Parliament after taking over the top post; he was dedicating himself to the country. The country has been witnessing the spirit of the oath he took since the last more than six years. Country was suffocating in the hell of corruption for a decade before Modi took over. But, not a single allegation with substance has been levelled against Modi or his cabinet colleagues, not even against the secretaries of the ministers, not against any one in the central regime. Not even an FIR has been filed in connection with corruption. Not a single order for investigation against corruption charges from judiciary or any PIL. The contribution of Modi towards a corruption free country is great.
This administrator could do perfect justice to democratic values and the Constitution. He follows a style of respecting the adversaries and not considering them as enemies. This ruler declared that India’s Constitution is his noblest religious text just like Bhagavat Gita, Bible and Quran. He has reiterated his ardent commitment to the ideals lie “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” and “Sarva Dharma Sama Bhava”.
His last address to the Keralites was on June 27, 2020 in connection with the Navathi Celebrations of the high priest of a Christian Church. At that time he stressed that ‘country’s constitution is the guide to him as the Prime Minister and he could provide equal justice and equal opportunity to all and there would not be any sort of discrimination from his administration’.
Modi government has bagged great achievements in his endeavours to maintain the sovereignty of the country. Terror attacks are now almost things of the past. Construction of Sri Ram Mandir has been kicked off in a cordial atmosphere sans any blood bath. Several development schemes like Swach Bharat, Ayushman Bharat, Ujjwal Yojana, Sukanya Samrudhi Yojana, rural electrification, road construction programmes, Home for all plan, agricultural development, etc. are the luminous aspects in his balance sheet.
Undivided India was a powerful economic force and the cradle of knowledge and science. Our culture was the guiding light for the entire mankind. When East India Company came here, our share in the world commercial activities was 27 %. When the Britons left India our share had come down to 2 % !!! But, no one bothered to find out the reason for this drop post 1947. Euro-centric education was thrust upon us and it succeeded in demolishing our great educational system and values. Lord Macaulay wrote in the intro to his educational policy: “India does not have any science, literature, religion, philosophy, arts, culture, etc. which are capable of drawing the attention of any civilized community which thinks logically. They all exist in Europe”. Now, PM and his team have come out to replace the Euro-centric education with India-centric education. The New Education Policy will be implemented so as to make it the foundation of “Atmanirbhar Bharat”.
Modi regime’s foreign policies have succeeded in achieving more support, confidence and recognition for our country in the world. We could launch surgical strikes hence teach the aggressive neighbours a lesson or two. We are in a position to stand up to the sinister moves of China, because now our policy is a bold ‘tit for tat’. That is why China has come down for ministerial level talks and further compromise formulas.
Narendra Modi is a force which assures us that 21st century is ours. We know how to live without attacking any one, without cultivating any imperialistic ambitions and working hard for the welfare and peace of the mankind. Here are the PM’s confidence-packed words: “India will develop fast. The talents of our youths will lead this country forward”.
This is the era of artificial intelligence. Despite sticking on to our ancient culture Modi regime keeps our doors opened to the most modern science and knowledge. The statement of Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google, that ‘India marches forward as the fastest growing start-up country under the leadership of Narendra Modi’ brings hair-raising ecstasy to every countryman. Rupert Murdoch, the global media giant, described Modi as the greatest leader of excellent ideas independent India has ever seen. Modi, born and brought up in an ordinary family, is now at the helm of affairs of this great country, thanks to his dedication and determination. He is not only a self shining leader but also makes others shine too with his ever-shining calibre and glowing charisma. I wish Modi my hearty sapthathi wishes and also long healthy dynamic life.
Narendra Modi – Path & Growth
1950 September 17: Birth as the third one among the 6 children of Damodardas Moolchand Modi and Heera Ben in Mehsana, Gujarat.
1967: Higher Secondary Education from school in Vatanagar.
1968: Leaves home to be a sanyasin.
1971: Full time Pracharak of RSS.
1975 – 77: Underground activities during Emergency
1987 – 90: Member of BJP. Appointed the general secretary of BJP in Gujarat. Organised L.K. Advani’s Rathyathra.
1995: BJP in power in Gujarat state. Keshubai Patel. Modi made national secretary.
2001: Keshubai Patel resigns; Modi takes over as the chief minister on October 7.
2002: Gujarat Riots. Even though India’s image was adversely affected in global arena, Modi back to power bagging 127 seats out of 182.
2005: US denied VISA to Modi in the wake of the Gujarat riots.
2007: Modi back to power with 117 seats.
2012: Modi again in power, third time.
2013: BJP declares Modi as the PM candidate for 2014 LS elections.
2014: Historic victory with 336 seats. NDA in power. Modi won from both Varanasi in UP and Vadodara in Gujarat. Sworn in as the PM on May 26.
2016: De-monetisation on November 8.
2019: Repetition of historic victory. NDA back to power. Modi PM again.
(The author is the Governor of Mizoram)