Prime Minister Narendra Modi is celebrating his 73rd birthday on Sunday, September 17. He was born on September 17, 1950 in Vadnagar, Gujarat. From humble beginnings, he has emerged as an influential leader on the global stage.
PM Modi’s public life started as a pracharak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and gradually he emerged as a charismatic leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He served as Chief Minister of Gujarat for more than 12 years between 2001 and 2014, before becoming the Prime Minister.
According to a survey by Morning Consult, PM Modi secured the highest approval rating globally among elected leaders. According to the US-based consultancy firm’s ‘Global Leader Approval Rating Tracker’, 76 per cent of people approve of PM Modi’s leadership, while 18 per cent disapprove of it and six per cent do not give any opinion.
On his birthday, the government will launch the ambitious Vishwakarma Yojana, a scheme to help those earning a living through traditional skills, part of a major outreach to members of the Other Backward Communities ahead of the Lok Sabha election next year. A new health campaign called ‘Ayushman Bhava’ will be launched today.
Here are some intriguing facts about PM Modi as he prepares to celebrate his birthday:
PM Modi’s tryst with politics began at the young age of 8 when he became a junior cadet of RSS under the guidance of Lakshmanrao Inamdar, who would later become his mentor.
In his youth, PM Modi harboured aspirations of becoming a sadhu, spending nearly two years in solitude in the Himalayas, where he delved into meditation and embraced the philosophy of Hindutva.
When Narendra Modi was appointed as the Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001, he did not hold a seat in the State Legislative Assembly.
Narendra Modi holds the distinction of being the first Indian Prime Minister born after the country’s Independence in 1947.
Beyond politics, Modi is an avid reader and he has written many poems in Gujarat.
During his nearly 13-year tenure as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, PM Modi reportedly did not take a single day off and maintained a personal staff of no more than three people.
Modi’s distinctive fashion sense, including the iconic Modi jacket and Modi kurta, has earned him recognition as a global fashion icon. His preferred clothing brand, Jade Blue, hails from Ahmedabad.
He is the first Indian Prime Minister after Indira Gandhi to secure a clear majority for a second consecutive term.
PM Modi has nearly 92 million followers on X (formerly Twitter) making him one of the most popular world leaders on the social media platform.
PM Modi’s interest in theatre during his school days shaped his political image. He excelled in playing larger-than-life characters in theatrical productions, a skill that has undoubtedly contributed to his public persona.
