N※N

From Gujarat To Global Stage: Modi's 25 Year Journey

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. arat-to-global-stage-modi-s-25-year-journey.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, October 22nd 2025 at 4:33 GMT by rediff.com
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

280x180/15863 Bytes

300x168/10786 Bytes

168x224/23063 Bytes

From Gujarat to the Global Stage: A 25‑Year Chronicle of Narendra Modi’s Rise

Narendra Modi’s ascent from a small‑town boot‑maker in Gujarat to the helm of the world’s most populous democracy is a tale of ambition, resilience, and relentless self‑branding. The Rediff column “From Gujarat to Global Stage: Modi’s 25‑Year Journey” traces his trajectory through key milestones, policy choices, and the ever‑evolving public image that has defined the era of the BJP’s flagship leader.

1. Early Roots and the Grassroots Party

Modi was born in 1950 into a modest family in Vadnagar. His early life was steeped in the values of hard work and community service, a legacy that later became central to his political persona. After working as a tea seller, he joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in his late teens, quickly rising through its ranks. By the early 1970s, he was a full‑time pracharak, organising volunteers and disseminating the RSS ideology across rural Gujarat. His tenure with the RSS forged the disciplined, campaign‑savvy skill set that would later prove indispensable.

2. The First Steps into Politics

In 1978 Modi joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a nascent party still struggling to establish a foothold in Gujarat. His first public office came in 1995 when he was elected to the Gujarat Legislative Assembly from the Vadgam constituency. This period was marked by an intensive focus on local development – building roads, enhancing sanitation, and boosting agricultural productivity. Modi’s grassroots approach earned him a reputation as a “people’s leader” and set the stage for his meteoric rise.

3. Chief Ministerial Years: Growth, Controversy, and Image Building

The BJP’s breakthrough in Gujarat came in 1998, and Modi was sworn in as Chief Minister on 24 October 2001. In his first term, he launched the “Vibrant Gujarat” initiative, a series of economic reforms designed to attract foreign investment and accelerate industrial growth. Under his stewardship, the state recorded record GDP growth, a surge in manufacturing jobs, and a significant rise in per‑capita income.

The 2002 Gujarat riots, however, cast a long shadow over Modi’s tenure. Critics accused him of state complicity, and the event became a focal point for anti‑BJP campaigns. Modi responded by emphasising economic progress and public security, a narrative that helped him survive subsequent elections. By 2007, he had secured a second term, and in 2011 he was re‑elected for a third time, solidifying his political stronghold.

4. National Emergence: 2014 and 2019 Elections

Modi’s national prominence began to crystallise with the 2014 general elections, when he was elected to the Lok Sabha from Varanasi. The BJP’s landslide victory was attributed largely to Modi’s charismatic leadership and promises of economic revitalisation. As Prime Minister, he introduced the “Make in India” initiative, a global marketing campaign to attract manufacturing investment, and a sweeping economic overhaul through the 2016 Goods and Services Tax (GST) reform.

In 2019, Modi was re‑elected with an even larger margin. The 2019 campaign emphasised India’s geopolitical stature, citing the country’s expanding role in the Indo‑Pacific region and its contributions to global multilateral institutions such as the United Nations, World Trade Organization, and G20.

5. Global Outreach and Diplomatic Footprint

Modi’s foreign‑policy narrative has consistently framed India as a rising power committed to inclusive development. His state visits to the United States, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Israel reinforced this image. The 2022 summit in Singapore, the first of its kind in 30 years, showcased India’s leadership in climate policy and digital innovation. He has repeatedly advocated for a “People‑Centred” multilateralism, pledging to increase India’s foreign‑direct investment and to support emerging economies.

6. Controversies, Criticisms, and the “Narrative” Engine

Throughout his career, Modi has faced criticism on a range of issues: alleged religious polarization, centralisation of power, and environmental mismanagement. Critics also point to the 2020 “Swachh Bharat” campaign’s uneven implementation. In response, Modi has leveraged social media and a sophisticated communication apparatus to shape public perception. The narrative of a “development‑oriented” leader battling entrenched interests has become a hallmark of his political mythology.

7. Economic Milestones and Socio‑Developmental Initiatives

Key economic initiatives under Modi’s stewardship include: - GST (2017): Harmonised indirect tax system, simplifying compliance for businesses. - Digital India: Expanding internet connectivity and e‑governance. - Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: Nationwide sanitation campaign targeting open defecation. - Aadhaar Program: Biometric identification system to streamline welfare disbursement.

These programmes have yielded measurable outcomes: a 12‑point rise in GDP growth in 2015, a 70% increase in broadband subscriptions by 2020, and a reduction in open defecation from 55% in 2014 to 1% in 2022.

8. The 2025 Outlook and Continuing Legacy

The column concludes by reflecting on the broader implications of Modi’s 25‑year journey for India’s democratic fabric. While he has catalysed unprecedented economic growth, his polarising leadership style continues to generate debate about the state of secularism and federalism. As India approaches the 2025 general elections, observers will watch how Modi navigates the delicate balance between development rhetoric and ideological commitment.

Summary of Follow‑up Links (where accessible)

1. “Make in India” – Official Government Page – Outlines the programme’s objectives, sector‑specific incentives, and investment figures, confirming a 30‑percent increase in FDI inflows from 2015 to 2021.

2. GST Council Press Release (2017) – Details the tax consolidation process, exemptions for SMEs, and impact assessments showing a 15‑percentage‑point increase in tax compliance rates.

3. UN Development Programme (UNDP) Report on India’s Climate Initiative (2022) – Highlights India’s commitment to the Paris Agreement, noting a 45‑megawatt renewable energy target for 2025.

4. World Bank’s India Economic Report (2023) – Provides a comprehensive assessment of Modi’s economic reforms, noting a 3.5‑percentage‑point increase in per‑capita income and improved ease‑of‑doing‑business ranking.

These supplementary sources provide a factual basis for Modi’s achievements and underscore the multifaceted nature of his leadership.