PM MODI’S FAITH IN PEOPLE AND POWER TO TRANSFORM

The narrators recall PM Narendra Modi’s leadership style rooted in service, innovation and the confidence to attempt reform where others saw impossibility

That first impression has stayed with me forever: Fadnavis - Devendra Fadnavis, CM, Maharashtra

When I first met Narendra Modi ji in Nagpur, I had no idea that the encounter would leave such a deep and lasting impression on me. At the time, I was a young Mayor, keen to learn from senior leaders of our party. The occasion was an Abhyaas Varg held at Reshimbagh, and I was serving as President of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha in Nagpur, entrusted with the responsibility of organising the programme. Every arrangement had been carefully planned. Rest houses had been prepared for all dignitaries, ensuring their comfort. Upon his arrival, Modi ji first went to pay his respects at Dr Hedgewar’s memorial. Later, when I asked him about his accommodation, I assumed he would opt for the guest facilities arranged for senior leaders. Instead, he responded with quiet simplicity, saying he preferred to stay in the modest room within the Reshimbagh premises that was meant for Sangh karyakartas. It was a small room but he happily stayed there for 2-3 days of the event. That single decision left a powerful impression on me. It reflected both his humility and his deep-rooted bond with the Sangh ethos. Throughout the programme, he remained attentive to every detail, personally ensuring that participants were comfortable and well taken care of. That first interaction shaped my understanding of him—as a leader who chose simplicity over privilege and service over position. The image of Narendra Modi ji that formed in my mind that day has stayed with me ever since. He exhibited the true spirit of an RSS worker who grows through the ranks by his merit.

‘Narendrabhai told me something, which I realise now’ - Bhupendra Patel, CM, Gujarat

My first meeting with Narendrabhai took place when I was serving as vice chairman of the School Board, and he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. At that time, I had certain doubts. I believed that children studying in municipal schools came from extremely humble backgrounds. I felt that unless they studied alongside children from middle-class families, they might not be able to progress academically. I wanted them to have better competition and a different ecosystem. Modi ji listened carefully and then said to me with great clarity: “Do whatever it takes, but show results by improving the quality of education for these children.” At that time, I did not understand the value of these words. I still had doubts on how to improve their situation without the right resources I was seeking. But when I look back at that moment today, I realise that this is the same approach with which Modi ji works today as Prime Minister to bring transformation to the nation. Many people believed that meaningful reform was impossible in this country. We often used to say nothing can happen to this country. It was a forgone conclusion among many leaders. But Modi ji believed things can be improved, changed and transformed— whatever we had and in whatever condition. Modi ji placed complete faith in ordinary citizens and their capacity. He has always believed that change is possible—and that change will certainly come if we work together with the right intention and effort. Today, we can clearly see the outcome of that belief. A positive atmosphere prevails across the nation. All 1.4 billion Indians are working with determination to make India a developed nation. Even today, those words of Modi ji continue to inspire me to work with optimism, conviction, and a positive mindset.

One of the first leaders to go digital - Malini Parthasarathy, Former editor, The Hindu

I first met Narendra Modi when he was serving as Chief Minister of Gujarat, still relatively early in his administrative journey and operating within a challenging political environment. Over the years, I have watched that journey unfold—from a leader finding his footing to a Prime Minister marked by confidence, clarity, and purpose. By 2019, his priorities were unmistakable: strengthening governance, advancing Digital India, and accelerating economic reform. What has always stood out to me, however, is not just his authority but his warmth and simplicity. Despite the weight of his office, he has an instinctive ability to put people at ease. His manner of speaking is so direct and accessible that one often forgets he is addressing the Prime Minister of India. He is like a friend one meets after a long time, not intimidating at all. He has also consistently demonstrated foresight, particularly in recognising the transformative power of technology and social media. Long before it became obvious, he urged us to adapt to digital platforms, understanding that print journalism was in decline and that the future lay elsewhere. He was also one of the first leaders to reach people, not through conventional media channels but by using social media platforms. Other leaders followed suit by and by. During the COVID-19 crisis, his leadership combined empathy with pragmatism. He ensured timely financial support for farmers, small businesses, and vulnerable communities, helping them endure an unprecedented period of uncertainty and distress. On a more personal level, he often—quietly and without insistence—reminded me of the enduring values of truth and fairness in journalism. He spoke of these principles as part of The Hindu’s founding legacy, a tradition for which he has consistently expressed deep respect. For me, his journey represents a remarkable transformation—defined by vision, resilience, and the capacity to drive change. And through that transformation, India has benefitted immensely from the clarity and scale of his leadership.

COMPILED AND EDITED BY SHASHIKANT SHARMA