A look at the incredible journey of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in rare images on his 70th birthday.
For one who sold tea as a boy at a railway station in Gujarat, Narendra Modi has had a meteoric rise in Indian politics, catapulting from an untested chief minister to the prime minister.
While sharing these pictures Modi ji said: “Reliving precious moments and special memories. I have been receiving many old photos from various friends. I am sharing few such photos with a request- if you have such memories, kindly share them with me.”
Born into an ordinary lower-middle-class family in Mehsana district in Gujarat Sep 17, 1950,His first brush with the RSS was at the tender age of eight when he would attend the local youth meetings of the RSS after a day’s work at the family tea stall.He was the third of four children. His father, Damodardas, made tea at a small shop. The son would take it in a kettle to sell it to train passengers at the Vadnagar railway station.Modi displayed skills at oratory even in school.Narendra Modi with a friendHe would often disappear from his family for months, staying in isolated places or wandering in the Himalayas.June 03, 1967: Narendra Modi leaves home and travels across India including the Himalayas, Rishikesh and Ramakrishna Mission.Modi formally joined the RSS after the 1971 India-Pakistan war.October 03, 1972: Narendra Modi joins the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and takes a conscious decision to devote his entire life.In 1973 Narendra Modi was given responsibility of working for a massive summit organised in Siddhpur where he met top leaders of the Sangh.He moved to the RSS office in Delhi where his chores included after waking up at 4 a.m., cleaning the office, making tea as well as breakfast and evening snacks for senior colleagues, and replying to emails.
When Indira Gandhi declared emergency rule and jailed political foes, Modi – back in Gujarat by then – went underground, tirelessly crisscrossed places on a Bajaj scooter, occasionally disguised, and printed and sent booklets against the central government to Delhi.
June 03, 1978: Narendra Modi gets more responsibility in the Sangh. Becomes ‘Vibhag Pracharak ‘ and asked to work in Vadodara.Narendra Modi as an innovative field organizer: An example from 1980s GujaratAs a BJP activist, Modi is asking for the good of the people in remote villages.Reliving precious moments and special memoriesNarendra Modi has dedicated his whole life for the betterment of the peopleFebruary 03, 1987: Narendra Modi joins BJP as Organisation Secretary of Gujarat Unit.Modi won the admiration of seniors for his hard work and efficiency. In 1987-88, he was deputed to the BJP’s Gujarat unit as organizing secretary, marking his formal launch in mainstream politics.June 03, 1987: Narendra Modi plays active role in organisation work for elections to various civic bodies and BJP wins AMC elections. Even as he embraced politics, Modi graduated in political science from Delhi University and went on to do his Masters from Gujarat University.Narendra Modi roaming the Himalayas with friends
Modi slowly took control of the BJP across the length and breadth of Gujarat, interacting intimately with activists, and played a key role in 1990 when Advani took out his Rath Yatra (chariot march) from Somnath to Ayodhya, an event that catapulted the BJP on to the national stage like never before.
September 11, 1991: Ekta Yatra, aimed at national integration, commences and Narendra Modi is an integral part of it.Narendra Modi during Ekta Yatra. Standing up for a united India…With Lal Krishna Advani and Keshubhai PatelPM Narendra Modi posing for a photograph outside the White House with his friends during his first ever visit to the United States, in the mid-nineties.A curious Narendra Modi observing the Apollo Spacecraft.March 23, 1995: BJP secures a majority in Gujarat Assembly Elections, winning 121 seats with Narendra Modi as Organisation Secretary.Modi later led the party to a remarkable win in 2002 – and has never looked back.Narendra Modi, as Chief Minister of Gujarat
Over time, Modi became a symbol of development and the party’s ability to deliver good governance. Large sections of the middle class began to root for him, especially for his I-can-do attitude and his resolve to fix the ills of the nation plaguing by multiple problems, including a languishing economy.
With former President Dr. APJ Abdul KalamNarendra Modi with former prime minister Atal Bihari VajpayeeA 2003 photo when Modi, as Gujarat CM, hosted the family at his official residence in GandhinagarWith Poojaneeya Sar Sanghachalak Mohan Bhagwat jiModi was sworn in as the Prime Minister of India on 26 May 2014. He became the first Prime Minister born after India’s independence from the British Empire.PM Narendra Modi With motherPM’s eldest brother Sombhai, 75, with residents of the old-age home he runs in VadnagarPM’s elder brother Amrutbhai retired as fitter for a private company, drawing a salary of less than Rs 10,000 a month.PM Modi’s first cousin Arvindbhai, 64, makes around 9,000 a month collecting used oil tins, boxes and other waste material by going house-to-house and then selling them to big scrap dealers.Cousin Bharatbhai Modi, 55, is a petrol pump attendant at a gas station in Lalawada village, in Gujarat.With President Ram Nath KovindWith Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the first non-Congress leader to serve a full term in power.PM Modi greets Advani on birthday, says his contribution towards nation building monumental.The winning combination: with Amit ShahPM Modi performs Bhoomi Puja for Shri Ram temple in Ayodhya
