Narendra Modi: The Nationalist Prime Minister of India
In 2014, Narendra Modi became the 14th Prime Minister of India and since then, he has been considered as a nationalist and a prominent leader who has been instrumental in India's economic and social growth. Born on September 17, 1950, in Vadnagar, Modi served as the chief minister of the western state of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014 before he took on the mantle of the Prime Ministerial post.
Early Life and Education
Modi was born into a family of grocers and belonged to the Ghanchi community, which is categorized under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) in India. His early life was, however, filled with struggles and hardships. After completing his schooling, Modi traveled the country and spent time as a tea-seller before joining the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a cultural organization linked to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Modi then devoted several years to the RSS and its affiliated groups before being appointed as the Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001.
Politics and Governance
Modi has been credited with a number of economic and social reforms, including the launch of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the Digital India campaign. He has also implemented several schemes to improve the livelihood of farmers and to provide better health and sanitation facilities to the people of India. Modi's policies have put India on a path of growth and development, and his government has been praised for its initiatives to attract foreign investment and boost economic growth.
Despite his many successes, Modi has been widely criticized for his hardline Hindu nationalist stances, which have contributed to communal tensions and violence in the country. Modi's policies have also been denounced for their lack of attention to the needs and concerns of India's minority groups, particularly Muslims and Dalits.
International Relations
Modi has been actively involved in international diplomacy and has taken various initiatives to enhance India's global status. His foreign policy is centered around the idea of 'Act East', which seeks to deepen India's ties with Southeast Asian nations and other countries in the region. Modi has also been instrumental in enhancing India's strategic partnership with the United States and has developed strong relationships with several other world leaders.
Modi's role in India's relations with Pakistan has been crucial as well. He launched a peace initiative with Pakistan, but it was ultimately hindered by a terrorist attack on an Indian military camp in Uri in 2016. Nonetheless, Modi has been widely praised for his attempts to establish peace in the region and for his role in combating terrorism in India.
Conclusion
Narendra Modi's tenure as the Prime Minister of India has been both lauded and criticized, and his legacy will continue to be debated for years to come. Despite the controversies surrounding his policies, there can be no denying that Modi has been successful in promoting economic growth and development in India, and his role on the international stage has been instrumental in enhancing India's relationship with other countries and boosting its global status.
- References:
- https://www.britannica.com/biography/Narendra-Modi
- https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/narendra-modi-biography-232070-2015-05-21