PM Modi’s birthday: Journey from RSS to BJP’s face; charting the rise of a tall leader

PM Modi’s birthday: Journey from RSS to BJP’s face; charting the rise of a tall leader (Pics credit: Modi Archive’s X account)

NEW DELHI: From a tea seller in Vadnagar to one of the most dominant figures in Indian politics, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s journey spans grassroots activism, state leadership, and a three-term run as PM. Wishes poured in for PM Modi as he is celebrating his 75th birthday on Wednesday. Born in 1950, he rose through the ranks of the RSS, found his footing in the BJP, and went on to redefine both Gujarat and the national political landscape. Across decades — from pracharak days to the corridors of Delhi’s power, from Gujarat’s hot seat to the global stage — PM Modi has carved out a legacy as the face of the BJP’s meteoric rise and India’s shifting political story.

Here’s how the tall leader rose

1950-1985: From RSS To BJP

Narendra Modi was born on Sept 17, 1950, in Vadnagar town in Mehsana district of Gujarat, the third child of Damodardas and Hiraba. By 1972, he had joined the RSS and become a pracharak, committing himself to full-time social and political work. In 1985, he was assigned by RSS to the state BJP unit.

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1985-2001: National Politics To Gujarat Hot Seat

In 1987, Modi was appointed general secretary of the Gujarat BJP and was associated with campaigns for local and assembly elections. In 1995, BJP’s victory in elections in Gujarat was followed by Modi being named secretary of the party’s national organisation in New Delhi. He went on to become its general secretary in 1998.In 2001, he was named Gujarat CM to replace Keshubhai Patel.

2001-2014: Four-Time Guj CM Becomes PM

PM Modi led BJP to consecutive victories in 2002, 2007 and 2012 elections, becoming the longest-serving Gujarat CM. The ‘Gujarat Model’ of economic growth and infrastructure development under his leadership became much talked about.In 2013, he was named BJP’s PM candidate for parliamentary elections the year after.

2014-2025: Face Of BJP’s Rise

BJP won a majority on its own led by PM Modi as NDA took office at the Centre after a 10-year gap. Modi’s first term saw the launch of Swachh Bharat Mission. He announced demonetisation banning Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes in 2016 while GST was introduced in July 2017.BJP won with an even bigger margin in 2019.

In his second term as PM, Article 370 giving special status to J&K was abrogated and triple talaq banned. India launched airstrikes on Balakot in Pakistan following the Pulwama terror attack in 2019. After Covid hit, India swiftly moved to emerge as a key hub for vaccine production with a massive vaccination campaign carried out nationally.In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, BJP again formed the govt, this time with the backing of Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu. Modi was sworn in as Prime Minister for the third consecutive term, a feat only Jawaharlal Nehru had managed. In early 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam was followed by the launch of Operation Sindoor by Indian forces targeting terror hubs in Pakistan. Go to Source