How Prime Minister Modi Is Rewriting the Grammar of Leadership

Before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, numerous political pundits in raging TV debates and popular national dailies, as well as magazines, concluded that possibilities of a single-party majority in any elections are impossible – opining that coalition governments in India will stay forever.

However, PM Narendra Modi stunned prophets of the 21st century by securing an absolute majority in the 2014 and 2019 Parliamentary elections — the last time when a political party got such a mandate was in the elections of 1984.

The people of India gave PM Narendra Modi a decisive mandate for an all-round growth and development of India reiterating their complete co-operation and faith. In the last six years, India is on the fast-paced path of development and prosperity under the dynamic and visionary leadership of PM Narendra Modi.

The prime minister has not only successfully executed an array of initiatives to eliminate the socio-economic backwardness of citizens but has also undone the historical blunders of previous governments.

From steering Swachh Bharath Mission to make cleanliness a culture and habit to introducing Make in India, Start-Up India, Mudra Yojana, Jan Dhan Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, Ayushman Bharat to implementation of GST, expansion of electricity and roads in rural India to pioneering Digital India, one country one ration card to Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, PM Narendra Modi is truly transforming the lives of Indians touching each life in every sector making a remarkable positive difference through systematic reforms.

Under the able leadership of PM Narendra Modi, India took several historic decisions that seemed merely impossible for the forgone UPA government. Be it the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A in Jammu & Kashmir, the foundation laying ceremony of the Ram Temple, liberating Muslim women from the clutches of triple talaq or even granting citizenship rights to persecuted minorities through CAA. It speak volumes about the Modi government remaining true to its words.

PM Narendra Modi is a selfless leader who is striving to make India better and has a long legacy of contributing to public causes from his savings and proceeds of auctions from the gifts he had received since the time when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. PM Modiji has donated a whopping Rs 103 crore to public causes like Girl Child Education, Clean Ganga, and the welfare of underprivileged, and sanitation workers of Kumbh Mela — reiterating his pledge on selfless service.

Biased left-wing media houses in every nook and corner of India had a habit of brandishing PM Narendra Modi as an anti-minority PM while further building narratives according to their whims and fancies. However, rebutting the media's erroneous accusations, several Islamic nations have honoured PM Modiji with their high civilian award in the recent past.

These include the King Hamad Order of the Renaissance, Bahrain - Aug 2019, Order of Zayed, UAE - August 2019, Grand Collar of the State of Palestine - Feb 2018, Amir Amanullah Khan Award, Afghanistan - June 2016, King Abdulaziz Sash Award, Saudi Arabia - April 2016, Rule of Nishan Izzuddeen, Maldives - June 2019. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made India's ties with the Islamic world the best which no Indian head of government or state ever visited before 2014.

Arguably, no prime minister or head of the state in the world could ever strike a chord with people, communicate, and connect at the grassroots level like PM Narendra Modi. Every time, when an unfortunate event happened, PM Modiji felt as if it were his own and was always there as a pillar of strength.

For Instance, In September 2019, when ISRO's Chandrayaan-2 mission suffered a setback when Vikram the Lander lost communication with ground stations, PM Narendra Modiji assured the scientists that the whole of India was in their support. He further consoled ISRO chairman K Sivan as he spoke to him while encouraging him and the other scientists gathered there to keep up their morale. In the past 25 years of my political career as a two time MLA and three time MP, I haven't come across a leader who is as compassionate who could stand still in dreadful circumstances.

The Prime Minister's vigorous energetic level and his lively nature years never fail to amuse me. In June, Modiji sat through more than 50 presentations and reviews to accelerate reforms and address bottlenecks caused due to the pandemic. Several virtual discussions were held in a day and top officials have logged 1,000 man-hours as meetings lasted two hours on an average.

Ancient Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu in his classical treatise the Art of War has said, "Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected." Whenever clashes happened in Ladakh with China, the Modi government started banning apps hitting where it really hurts and a step least expected by the Chinese. A total of 224 Chinese apps have been banned in India so far in 2020 and these apps are valued in billions.

Some may opine that banning apps are the easiest thing to do and these could affect billions of Indians who use it on a regular basis. But PM Modi gave a clarion call to make it similar and more efficient, thus starting the AtmaNirbhar Bharat app innovation challenge. This is the classical Narendra Modi. Banning apps may seem easy, however, building similar ones requires scholastic aptitude.

At the age of 69, Prime Minister Modi’s unexpected visit to Ladakh and his speech to troops at an altitude of 9,800 ft is a gamechanger to beat Chinese aggression and send a strong message to China. Surprisingly visiting Ladakh which is at an altitude of 9,800 ft to boost morale of our valorous soldiers reflects our PM’s respect for national security.

Overall, there's a wave of change in our nation since the Modi government came into power. This is clearly evident when PM Modiji informed that over 5 crore Sanitary Napkins distributed from Jan Aushadhi Kendras to underprivileged women at the minimum price of Rs.1 each. Menstruation which is considered taboo in some parts of the country is now being discussed from the ramparts of Red Fort. This is the new India we were waiting for since Independence.

Reforms for the development of India are happening at a lightning pace. On 73rd Independence day, PM Narendra Modi announced the expansion of the NCC in 173 strategic areas as well as a proposal to preserve and enhance the count of the Gangetic Dolphin, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved within a day and 'Project Dolphin' plan was set in 15 days. PM Narendra Modi is the dynamic leader that India never had and a leader India needs.

As PM Modi turned 70 on 17 September (yesterday), let us cherish his contribution, leadership, and let us all convey our best wishes for his good health and long life to regain India’s lost glory and make India a global superpower in its true sense.

PC Mohan is a 3rd term BJP Member of Parliament from Bengaluru Central Lok Sabha Constituency.