Narendra Modi, the 14th and current prime minister of India, celebrates his 73rd birthday on September 17, 2023. He is a popular and controversial figure, and his life and career have been marked by both successes and failures.
Modi was born in Vadnagar, Gujarat, in 1950. He was raised in a Hindu family and was active in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a right-wing Hindu nationalist organization. After graduating from school, Modi worked as a tea seller and a railway ticket inspector.
In 1971, Modi joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the main opposition party in India at the time. He quickly rose through the ranks of the party and became its general secretary in 1987. In 2001, Modi was elected chief minister of Gujarat.
As chief minister, Modi oversaw a period of economic growth and development in Gujarat. However, he was also criticized for his handling of the 2002 Gujarat riots, in which over a thousand people, mostly Muslims, were killed.
In 2014, Modi led the BJP to a landslide victory in the general elections. He became the first prime minister of India to be born after independence.
As prime minister, Modi has implemented a number of reforms, including demonetization and the Goods and Services Tax (GST). He has also taken a strong stance against terrorism and has sought to improve relations with neighboring countries.
Modi is a popular figure among many Indians, but he is also a polarizing figure. His supporters praise him for his leadership and his commitment to development. His critics accuse him of being authoritarian and of promoting Hindu nationalism.
Despite the controversy, Modi remains a powerful and influential figure in Indian politics. He is likely to continue to be a major player in Indian politics for many years to come.
Here are some lesser-known facts about Narendra Modi:
- He is the first prime minister of India to be born in independent India.
- He is the longest-serving chief minister of Gujarat.
- He is the second most followed political leader on Twitter.
- He is a vegetarian and a teetotaler.
- He is an avid photographer and poet.
- He is a self-confessed workaholic.
Narendra Modi is a complex and fascinating figure. He is a man of many contradictions, but there is no doubt that he is one of the most important leaders in India today.