PM Modi’s Birthday: 74 milestones of his life and achievements

Team Udayavani, Sep 17, 2024, 9:04 AM IST

India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, celebrates his 74th birthday today, marking a life full of significant achievements. Born from a background rooted in the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh), PM Modi has climbed the ranks to become one of the most influential leaders globally.

As he steps into his 75th year, we look back at his life and accomplishments, highlighting 74 key moments that define him as a leader.

1. World’s Most Popular Leader: Surpassing even the President of the United States, PM Modi is ranked as the world’s most popular leader.
2. Born on September 17: Narendra Modi was born on September 17, 1950, in Vadnagar, Gujarat.
3. Joined RSS at Age 8: Modi became a junior member of the RSS at just eight years old.
4. Chaiwala Roots: During the 1965 Indo-Pak war, Modi famously served masala chai to soldiers at the railway station.
5. Celebrated Hindu-Muslim Festivals Together: During his childhood, Modi celebrated both Hindu and Muslim festivals with his friends.
6. Aspiration to Become a Monk: Modi once harbored a deep desire to become a monk when he was younger.
7. Graduated in 1978: Modi completed his high school in 1967, followed by a Bachelor’s in Political Science in 1978, and a postgraduate degree in 1982.
8. Visits to Sadhus: In his early years, he traveled to the Himalayas to meet monks and explore spirituality.
9. Married at Age 18: Modi married 17-year-old Jashodaben when he was 18.
10. Poet in His 20s: During his 20s, Modi wrote poetry and was fond of photography.
11. Acted in Plays: While in school, Modi participated in many plays, showcasing his oratory and dramatic skills.
12. Courageous Childhood: In a display of courage, young Modi once brought home a baby crocodile!
13. Never Took a Day Off as CM: As Gujarat’s Chief Minister, Modi never took a single day off.
14. Dreamed of Joining the Army: Due to financial constraints, Modi couldn’t fulfill his dream of joining the army despite his passion.
15. Sleeps Very Little: Modi is known for getting by with minimal sleep, attributing his energy to yoga, pranayama, and meditation.
16. Sleeps on Flights: During foreign visits, Modi often prefers sleeping on flights rather than in hotels.
17. Not a Legislator Before Becoming CM: When Modi became Gujarat’s Chief Minister in 2001, he wasn’t a member of the legislative assembly.
18. First PM Born After Independence: Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to have been born in independent India.
19. 13 Years as CM: Modi served as the Chief Minister of Gujarat for a total of 13 years.
20. Global Fashion Icon: His signature Modi jacket and kurta have made him a global fashion trendsetter.
21. Second PM to Win Two Consecutive Terms: Modi is the second Indian Prime Minister after Indira Gandhi to win back-to-back terms with a full majority.
22. 10 Crore Twitter Followers: PM Modi has an impressive 10.1 crore followers on Twitter.
23. Inspired by Swami Vivekananda: Swami Vivekananda has been a major source of inspiration for Modi.
24. Orator Extraordinaire: Modi’s speeches draw massive crowds, and he is hailed as one of the best orators in modern politics.
25. Tech-Savvy Leader: Modi is highly active on social media, using technology to engage with citizens across platforms.
26. Joined BJP in 1985: After serving in the RSS, Modi formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1985.
27. Featured in TIME’s 100 Most Influential: Modi was named among TIME Magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2014, 2015, and 2017.
28. 79 Foreign Visits: As of September 2024, Modi has made 79 foreign trips, visiting 70 countries.
29. Honored by 14 Countries: Modi has received the highest civilian honors from 14 countries.
30. First Time MLA in 2002: Modi became an MLA in 2002, a year after becoming Gujarat’s CM.
31. First-Time MP in 2014: Modi entered the Parliament for the first time in 2014, representing Varanasi.
32. Became PM in His First Term as MP: Modi holds the rare distinction of becoming Prime Minister in his first term as a Member of Parliament.
33. Fought Against Emergency: Modi actively opposed the Emergency imposed between 1975-77, earning recognition as a prominent leader.
34. Unified Youth During Navnirman Movement: Modi played a vital role in uniting students during the Navnirman Movement in 1974.
35. Led Secret Meetings: During the Emergency, Modi organized secret meetings to rally opposition forces.
36. Communicated India’s Struggles Abroad: Modi worked to spread awareness about India’s internal struggles by connecting with people abroad during the Emergency.
37. BBC Broadcast: Modi helped spread the RSS and opposition leaders’ ideas against the Emergency through BBC broadcasts.
38. First Book in 1978: Modi authored his first book in 1978, titled “Sangharsh Ma Gujarat.”
39. Traveled India for Two Years: In his teens, Modi left home to travel across India, studying its diverse cultures.
40. First Political Victory: Modi’s political journey began when he led the BJP to victory in Ahmedabad’s Municipal Corporation elections in 1987.
41. Fasts During Navratri: Modi’s regular fasting during Navratri has helped him develop immense discipline and patience.
42. Meditated at Various Places: Modi’s regular meditation practices at religious sites, including Kedarnath, helped instill a sense of discipline.
43. Spiritual Life: Modi is deeply drawn to spirituality and often retreats for meditation, as seen after the 2019 elections.
44. Make in India: To boost India’s economy, Modi launched the ambitious Make in India campaign.
45. Implemented GST: Modi spearheaded the introduction of a unified tax system, the Goods and Services Tax (GST), in India.
46. Digital India: Modi’s Digital India campaign has improved connectivity, making services accessible to rural populations.
47. Internet Revolution: Through the BharatNet initiative, Modi brought high-speed internet to rural areas, furthering Digital India’s success.
48. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: Modi’s commitment to cleanliness is reflected in his flagship Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
49. Jan Dhan Yojana: Modi introduced Jan Dhan Yojana to ensure every Indian has access to a bank account, facilitating direct benefits transfers.
50. Revoked Article 370: Modi made history by abrogating Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
51. Ram Mandir Construction: Under Modi’s leadership, the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is being built, fulfilling a long-standing promise.
52. Spent Time in Libraries: Modi spent much of his youth and college years in libraries, indulging in knowledge.
53. Skilled Swimmer: Although active in various sports, swimming was Modi’s favorite childhood activity.
54. Avoided Salt, Spice, and Sweets: Modi adopted a strict diet of avoiding salt, spices, and sweets in line with his aspiration to become a monk.
55. India Hosts G20 Summit: Last year, under Modi’s leadership, India successfully hosted the G20 summit.
56. Demonetization: In a bold move to curb black money, Modi announced the demonetization of high-value currency notes.
57. Handled COVID-19 Crisis: Modi announced a nationwide lockdown to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, protecting millions from the virus.
58. Promoted Start-Ups: Modi has strongly supported the start-up ecosystem, encouraging innovation and job creation.
59. Garib Kalyan Yojana: Modi introduced welfare schemes to alleviate poverty and uplift rural India.
60. Triple Talaq Ban: Modi’s government outlawed the practice of triple talaq, a significant reform for women’s rights.
61. Celebrates Diwali with Soldiers: Every year, Modi celebrates Diwali with the Indian soldiers, honoring their service.
62. International Yoga Day: Modi played a pivotal role in establishing International Yoga Day, promoting wellness globally.
63. Mann Ki Baat: Modi’s radio show Mann Ki Baat has aired 113 episodes so far.
64. Atmanirbhar Bharat: Modi initiated the Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign to make India self-reliant in every sector.
65. Bullet Train Dream: Modi’s dream of launching a bullet train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad is set to become a reality soon.
66. Global Peace Advocate: Modi is recognized globally for his efforts to promote peace on international platforms.
67. US Visa Denial: In 2005, the United States denied Modi a visa, but in a twist of fate, he became the first Indian PM to be invited to address the US Congress.
68. Increased Foreign Investments: Modi’s government has been instrumental in attracting foreign direct investment, boosting India’s global standing.
69. Launched UDAN Scheme: To make air travel affordable, Modi launched the UDAN scheme, enhancing connectivity in smaller cities.
70. The Statue of Unity: Modi inaugurated the Statue of Unity, the world’s tallest statue, in Gujarat to honor Sardar Patel.
71. Foreign Relations Success: Modi has strengthened India’s diplomatic ties with countries across the world, from the US to Japan.
72. Environment Advocate: Under Modi’s leadership, India is making strides towards achieving its Paris Climate Agreement goals.
73. Vocal for Local: Modi’s “Vocal for Local” initiative has encouraged the consumption of Indian products, boosting domestic industries.
74. Modi as a Visionary: As a leader, Narendra Modi is not just defined by his governance but by his vision of making India a global power.