The transformative Global Leader
On June 10, 2026, India's beloved Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi proudly emerged as the longest continuously serving elected premier of India, having occupied that exalted office for 4,398 days, heralding a watershed moment in India's chequered post-independence history. A deeply beholden Modi tweeted, "I remain fully committed to working with even greater dedication to realise the vision of a Viksit Bharat and fulfil the aspirations of 140 crore Indians." An ecstatic Union Home Minister Amitbhai Anilchandra Shah posted, "These 12 years of Modi ji have been about cultural renaissance and freeing the nation from the mentality of servitude. The new Parliament was constructed, three new laws were implemented, the new education policy paved the way for medical and engineering education in mother tongues, and Atmanirbhar Bharat became the resolve of every Indian. In these 12 years, on one hand, the country's borders were secured, Article 370 was abrogated from Kashmir, the Ram Temple was built, Naxalism was eradicated, and terrorism was reined in with a befitting response to every terror incident; on the other hand, the collective strength of the nation learned to take pride in its heritage, culture, and capabilities by emerging from feelings of inferiority." The maverick American President Donald John Trump paid his own personal tribute, "Congratulations to my friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on becoming India's longest-serving Prime Minister - And a Great One he is! He is a strong, healthy, and wise man and will have many years of Greatness and Success ahead of him!"
The Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed Modi as the "doyen of all Indian Prime Ministers", the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conveyed that "your leadership has propelled a nation of over 1.4 billion people into one of the fastest-growing economies in the world" and the French President Emmanuel Macron lauded, "It has been a long journey that reflects your steadfast resolve and the strength of your country".
On June 16, 2026, Modi arrived at Évian-les-Bains, a tourist paradise, nestled in southeastern France (famous the world over for its smooth, crisp and cool mineral water!), aboard a sleek Airbus H225 helicopter to attend the 52nd G7 Summit. Modi was not only accorded a rousing "red carpet" welcome by Macron, but his seminal presence at the Summit made a thundering impact that triggered colossal waves all across the world! When Modi reached the Summit venue on June 17, 2026, Trump literally rose from his chair and greeted Modi with his signature smile and a warm handshake and exchanged fleeting pleasantries.
Modi later met Trump at the "Belle Époque" 5-star Hôtel Royal Évian, overlooking the panoramic Lake Geneva at the foot of the majestic Alps, when he had occasion to underline the imperative need to ensure the safety of seafarers inextricably caught in the Strait of Hormuz. After the meeting, Trump adulated Modi, "You look at this man…He's the most beautiful-looking man. He looks so nice, like an angel…Actually, he's as tough as he is a killer…So he gets you by surprise…He's a tough trader."! In an exclusive interview with Axios on June 18, 2026, Trump extolled Modi as a "great leader" and a "very tough cookie". In a turbulent, topsy-turvy world tormented, battered and besieged by unconscionably futile war, strife, violence and bloodshed, Modi heroically stood out as a luminous beacon profoundly championing the cause of peace, understanding, humanity and forbearance, and spearheading India to the truly exemplary status of "Vishwa Shanti Guru" on the world stage!
The archetypal Virgoan Modi was born on Sunday, September 17, 1950, to a frugal family of humble origins and modest means in a diminutive single-storied abode in Vadnagar, Gujarat, archaeologically famous for its pair of 12th-century AD "kirti toranas" (triumphal arched gateways) exquisitely carved in red and yellow sandstone. His father, Damodardas Mulchand Modi, unobtrusively ran a nondescript tea stall on Platform No.1 of the Vadnagar railway station serving hot, steaming tea to tired and weary rail passengers. His mother, Heeraben, also known as Hiraba, was just a humble domestic helper. As a child, Modi used to diligently lend a helping hand to his father by selling tea to passengers directly inside train compartments, dexterously ferrying an aluminium kettle and "kulhads". There is an enthralling story linked to an adventurous eight-year-old Modi who, after finishing his chores at the tea stall, went for a pleasure dip with his friends in the Sharmishtha Talav, a picturesque lake on the outskirts of Vadnagar. He furtively caught a wriggling baby crocodile from the lake and triumphantly brought it home as a prospective pet. Upon beholding the scaly reptile, his mother chided him for severing the child from its mother and prevailed upon him to release it back into its habitat!
Modi was introduced to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in 1958 at the tender age of eight by Lakshmanrao Madhavrao Inamdar, popularly known as "Vakil Saheb", who took him under his wing as a "balswayamsevak" (junior cadet) and became his political guru. In 1972, Modi entered the hallowed portals of Dr. Hedgewar Bhavan in Ahmedabad and became a "pracharak" (full-time worker) under the tutelage of Inamdar. The RSS assigned him to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1985.
Modi formally joined the BJP in 1987 and was sucked into the vortex of mainstream politics. He steadily rose through the party ranks, becoming General Secretary on January 5, 1998. On October 7, 2001, Modi was fortuitously appointed the Chief Minister of Gujarat, replacing the reigning Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel. On February 24, 2002, Modi won his first assembly election from the Rajkot II constituency which earned him a prized seat in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly as an MLA. On October 3,1995, Modi was made the National Secretary of the BJP and on January 5, 1998 was appointed its General Secretary. And the crowning moment came on May 26, 2014 when he was sworn in as the 14th Prime Minister of India, after BJP's landslide electoral victory on May 16, 2014 that brought into its kitty a rich, bountiful harvest of 282 seats.
The enlightened people of India have wholeheartedly endorsed Modi as their supreme leader for three successive terms and are translating into reality his cherished mantra of "Together, for Everyone's support, everyone's development, everyone's trust". The BJP's sweeping election juggernaut in various states and union territories and recently in Puducherry, Assam and West Bengal, has been powered by the clarion call "Modi Hai To Mumkin Hai" (If Modi is there it's possible)! The "surgical strikes" on September 29, 2016 on terror launch pads inside Pakistan occupied Kashmir in response to the gruesome pre-dawn ambush by Pakistan backed terrorists in Uri on September 18, 2016, the air strikes on February 26, 2019 upon secret terror camps in Balakot deep inside Pakistan, and the launch of "Operation Sindoor" on the night of 7th/8th May, 2025 in retaliation for the horrific, dastardly, spine chilling attack in Pahalgam deep inside the Kashmir valley, on 22nd April, 2025, by members of the Pakistan based terrorist group "The Resistance Front", that snuffed out the lives of 26 innocent Indians, carried out with extraordinary speed, stealth and ferocity, have demonstrated to the entire world that those who sowed the ill wind against India had to reap the most terrible retributory whirlwind!
Modi has assiduously restored to numerous Indian political heroes like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Pamulaparthi Venkata Narasimha Rao and Pranab Mukerjee, their rightful places in Indian society by adopting and accepting them as national leaders and dedicating roads, museums, statues (like the 182 metres high "Statue of Unity" at Kevadiya, Gujarat, dedicated to Patel, and the Netaji Statue under the sandstone canopy right behind India Gate in New Delhi!), postage stamps, coins, memorials and even islands in their honour. And his faith in and commitment to the lofty ideals, thoughts and musings of Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Syama Prasad Mookerjee remains unassailable!
Modi is a prolific writer. In 2008, he published a Gujarati book titled "Jyotipunj" (Mass of Light), which incisively delved into the lives and contributions of sixteen iconic RSS leaders, including his mentor Inamdar. The longest one was that of Madhav Sadashivrao Golwalkar, the father of the emulsifying concept of "Akhand Bharat" (Undivided India), whom Modi referred to as "Pujniya Shri Guruji" (Guru worthy of worship). Modi's intention was to explain the workings of the RSS to his readers and to reassure RSS members that he remained ideologically anchored to the RSS.
After becoming the Prime Minister, he also authored a book called Exam Warriors, a fun and interactive guide for children to commendably deal with the stress and strain of examinations, which was published in 2018. Modi has written eight other books, mostly containing short stories for children. Modi has penned the lyrics of two Gujarati garba songs viz. "Garbo" and "Maadi". And through his "Man Ki Baat" (Mind's Talk), the monthly radio programme, Modi has built an indestructible bond between himself and the public-doing much to shape the image of the Prime Minister as the caretaker of the Indian people.
Modi is admired worldwide by one and all because he represents the classic "rags-to-riches" story. Rising from abject poverty to the highest office in the land, he has emerged as the ultimate embodiment of perseverance and upward mobility.
A man for all time and seasons, Modi's strong principles, timeless rhetoric and resolute leadership have contributed to his status as a globally acclaimed behemoth. Power has never corrupted him, nor has success make him conceited, arrogant or pompous. It would perhaps be virtually impossible to compare Modi with the towering Abraham "Abe" Lincoln, the 16th and, by every measure applied, the greatest American President, and the Father of Modern Democracy, who used to say "I am nothing, truth is everything", but if such comparisons are indeed feasible, Modi will effortlessly qualify to be on an equal footing with Lincoln!
In conclusion, Modi is the grandiose harbinger of a truly earth-shattering, all-consuming religious, cultural and spiritual renaissance in India. The eternal, unflinching devotee of Swami ji, who fervently wanted to join the ranks of the saffron-clad monks of the Ramakrishna Mission, is now steadfastly realising the cherished vision and dreams of his childhood hero and role model. It is the mesmerising inspiration and nourishment he has unceasingly drawn at every single phase of his illustrious career from Swami ji's life, example, work and teachings that have catapulted him to such unfathomable heights, perhaps never before attained by any individual Indian political leader! And under his valiant and envisioned stewardship, India shall, without the faintest shadow of doubt, gloriously step into Viksit Bharat, Ram Rajya and Amrit Kal (all rolled up into one!) and like the wondrous "Sone Ki Chiriya" majestically unfold its fluttering wings and reach out for the distant sky and far beyond as the dominant, domineering and dominating Vishwa Shanti Guru!
For millions of Indians, he is a mystical personality exuding an aura of mental and physical fitness, whether he is deeply immersed in hardcore politics or transfixed in yogic meditation.
The author is an internationally reputed senior lawyer practising in the Supreme Court of India and various High Courts and Tribunals in India. He is an avid debater, public speaker, writer, broadcaster, telecaster, artist, painter, sculptor, music critic and filmmaker.
