“His life has been lived among the people—in villages, in poverty, in selfless service, and through a journey that overcame obstacles at every milestone. That life experience is unmatched, and the ability to navigate challenges makes him beyond the reach of ordinary political rivals.” This is how a long-time associate once described what many call the “Modi phenomenon.”
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi turns 75 today, his political capital remains unparalleled. For the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), facing a difficult round of state elections, it is once again Modi who represents the ultimate force to turn the tide. Internal surveys consistently show that the party’s prospects improve sharply once the Prime Minister enters the campaign arena. Historic victories in Tripura (2018), Uttar Pradesh (2017 and 2022), and Odisha (2024) underscore the decisive role of the “Modi factor.” On the campaign ground, party leaders actively compete for his rally slots—widely regarded as a guarantee of electoral momentum.
A Listener With an Ear to the Ground
One of Modi’s enduring strengths has been his ability to stay connected to the ground, a trait he cultivated as Chief Minister and carried into the Prime Minister’s Office. He is known as a patient listener. A telling example dates back to a meeting after a tour of poll-bound Madhya Pradesh. When told that women appreciated welfare transfers but struggled with soaring LPG costs, Modi immediately promised, “Hum daam ghatyenge (we will lower the price).” Within weeks, the Centre announced a significant price cut.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has also recalled how Modi consistently pressed her for GST relief to ease the burden on households. Similarly, his decision to extend Ayushman Bharat medical insurance to all citizens above 70—regardless of income—was reportedly driven by his concern for middle-class senior citizens struggling to afford private health cover. A senior minister described this as “empathy born of shared experience,” since Modi himself crossed that age threshold.
Resilience Through Adversity
Modi’s career has also been defined by his ability to rebound from adversity. The years following the 2002 Gujarat riots brought relentless criticism and attempts to isolate him politically. Between 2012 and 2014, political opponents sought to embroil him in legal cases to derail his rise to national leadership. A former CBI chief once disclosed how he resisted pressure to implicate Modi falsely, while close aide Amit Shah revealed that investigators even offered him freedom in exchange for naming Modi. Such pressures might have broken others, but Modi endured—emerging stronger.
Lessons From the Sangh and the Struggles of Youth
Much of this resilience can be traced back to his formative years in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). In 1979, as a 29-year-old pracharak, Modi spent over six weeks in flood-ravaged Morbi, Gujarat, clearing debris, carrying carcasses, and even conducting funeral rites. During the Emergency, he mastered the art of clandestine organisation, often living in houses with multiple exits, disguising himself as a Sikh, a Swamiji, or even a street vendor to evade arrest. His disguises were so convincing that close acquaintances sometimes failed to recognise him. He also took the dangerous responsibility of printing and distributing underground literature across Gujarat.
These experiences proved invaluable later—whether during the 2001 Kutch earthquake, the Surat floods of 2006, the Kashmir floods of 2014, or the Covid-19 crisis of 2020, when his decision to prioritise indigenous vaccines potentially saved countless lives.
Global Standing
On the world stage, Modi’s stature has been equally remarkable. From Washington to Tokyo, leaders including Joe Biden and Donald Trump have acknowledged his influence and popularity abroad. His foreign policy has sought to balance national interest with India’s growing role as a global power, making him one of the most recognisable statesmen of the 21st century.
The Modi Phenomenon Continues
At 75, Modi’s journey reflects resilience, ground-level connection, and a remarkable ability to convert challenges into political strength. Whether at home or abroad, in times of crisis or contest, Narendra Modi continues to remain the ace up the BJP’s sleeve and the central figure of Indian politics.
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