The book “Modi @20” was released to mark the completion of Prime Minister’s 20 year-long political career and India’s nightingale, Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar was invited to write a Foreword. We bring to our readers the foreword written by the late legend.
I consider myself blessed to be born in a nation that is as timeless and glorious as ours. A nation that has given so much to the world and has always worked for the larger global good. The virtues of kindness and compassion are ingrained in our people. Yes, we have faced periodic challenges, but eventually we as a people have always prevailed.
The leader of our nation at this moment in history, occupying the Prime Minister’s chair, is our beloved Narendra bhai. I have known him since many years and followed with great interest the exceptional work he has done for the people of India.
On 7 October 2021, Narendra bhai completed twenty continuous years as the head of a democratically-elected government.
By temperament, Narendra bhai is not what we conventionally imagine of a politician. From my various conversations with him, I sense that his pursuits are different. He has no attachment to power.
His goal is larger; to be able to do something for the people of India. His passion lies in the fact that he wants the growth story to be meaningful for every person in our country. In India’s history, the name of Mahatma Gandhi is etched in golden letters because he turned the entire freedom struggle into a mass movement. He motivated every citizen to think that any action they do would strengthen India’s resolve
for freedom. In the same spirit Narendra Bhai is turning India’s development journey into a mass movement. He is connecting every citizen of India to this goal.
We all know that before becoming Prime Minister, Narendra bhai had an impressive track record as a Chief Minister, which also enabled him to understand the nuances of governance. As Chief Minister, Narendra bhai put Gujarat on the map or development. He addressed all the development needs of the state, be it in agriculture or industry. My friends in Gujarat tell me that one of his lasting impacts has been the streamlining of the power sector. Distant tribal areas, where development had not reached for years, got the fruits of development.
In 2014, the people of India gave Narendra bhai a mandate that was unseen in decades. I vividly remember the fervour among the people to see him as their Prime Minister. No Indian will forget the emotional sight of Narendra bhai.
