Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s influence on the landscape of Indian politics and public service has undeniably set new benchmarks. As wishes pour in from across the world for his 73rd birthday, it becomes evident that he has transformed the expectations of politicians aspiring to serve the people of India. His journey has ensured a profound shift in Indian politics — from ruling to serving, from politicians accustomed to VVIP privileges to leaders tirelessly working as servants of the people. In his nine years in office, each of his birthdays has been a testament to his commitment to public service.
From donating Rs 5,100 gifted by his mother for Jammu Kashmir flood relief in 2014 to overseeing the administration of a record-breaking 2.5 crore vaccine doses during the global Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, his birthdays have consistently witnessed the establishment of new standards in public service.
Narendra Modi’s work ethic is unmatched, keeping his competitors on edge. He has not taken a single day off or a holiday in the past nine years. He celebrates festivals with the armed forces, conducts meetings after strenuous official trips abroad, and inaugurates numerous developmental projects one after the other. When he declares, “Samay ka pal pal mein desh ke naam rakhta hun” (I dedicate every moment of my time to the nation), he truly lives up to it. His sustained popularity in various surveys is not mere chance but a reflection of the trust people place in his intentions to advance India.
A recent viral video from Madhya Pradesh featured a tribal woman expressing her gratitude for the support she received from PM Modi during the Covid-19 crisis, including essential supplies like ration and sugar. Her words, “Modi ne hamko ration diyo, shakkar diyo, suvidha diyo, ham to Modi ke sath hai” (Modi provided us with ration, sugar, and convenience, we are with Modi), echo the sentiments of many across the nation. Similar stories were witnessed by me in tribal areas of Tripura, where pucca houses were constructed for the first time since Independence. Only a Prime Minister deeply connected to the heart of India could inspire such collective spirit and action during the Covid crisis.
His call turned “Swachh Bharat” (Clean India) into a nationwide movement, and his innovative approach to foreign policy leveraged the strength of the Indian diaspora to further India’s global interests.
Unlike leaders parachuted into positions of responsibility, Narendra Modi has risen through the ranks, and my visit to his humble beginnings in Vadnagar gave me a sneak peek into his modest roots. When he washed the feet of sanitation workers in 2019, he bestowed upon them a sense of dignity. Upholding the dignity of the underprivileged and championing development as a people’s movement stand as his monumental contributions.
His unwavering faith in the people of India has propelled the country to achieve remarkable milestones, including becoming a global leader in financial payments through UPI (Unified Payments Interface), a significant feat in a nation where cash transactions once dominated. No one can forget his encouragement to the Indian scientists after Chandrayaan 2’s unsuccessful soft landing, and his words of empathy post Chandrayaan 2 that motivated our scientists to achieve the historic feat of becoming the first nation to soft land on the south pole of the moon.
Narendra Modi has not been hesitant in wearing Bharat’s cultural and civilisational pride on his sleeve, and has taken extra efforts in rekindling the pride in India’s rich ancient cultural heritage in the youth of India.
It’s no coincidence that PM Modi’s 73rd birthday coincides with Vishwakarma Puja, as he launches the Vishwakarma scheme for craftsmen and artisans. On this day, India’s youth can draw inspiration from a true ‘karmayogi’ (one who works tirelessly).
The writer is founder, Jan Ki Baat, broadcast journalist and psephologist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.
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