“I am committed to fulfilling the dreams of every Indian, especially the poor and the marginalised.” – Narendra Modi
True to this commitment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi marks his birthdays not with cakes or pomp, but through service. Each year, the day becomes a reflection of his leadership: purposeful, low-key, and action-driven. From releasing cheetahs into the wild to inaugurating housing projects or spending time with differently-abled children, Modi transforms personal milestones into national moments of service. In private, he maintained only one personal ritual of visiting his mother, a tradition he observed faithfully throughout her life.
Over the past decade, Modi’s birthdays have consistently reflected a life dedicated to public service. This year, as he turned 75, Modi visited Dhar district in Madhya Pradesh, engaging directly with locals while launching the Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan, aimed at strengthening maternal and child healthcare, alongside the 8th National Nutrition Month to combat malnutrition nationwide. Social media carries the formal greetings, but Modi himself immerses in work, using the day to champion welfare initiatives, meet citizens, and drive development programs.
His dedication resonates deeply with the people of India. Across the country, citizens and communities celebrate his birthday by launching initiatives in his name, from health drives and tree plantations to charity events and education campaigns. In schools, offices, and public spaces, tributes pour in and the widespread admiration he commands across regions, communities, and generations is one not every leader is blessed with.
Modi and the global Indian wave
Modi’s popularity is not confined to Indian shores; he enjoys considerable support among the Indian diaspora, particularly in the United Kingdom. British Indians, especially Gujaratis, have long maintained strong cultural, familial, and business ties with India, and Modi’s outreach has resonated with this community.
When the Indian Prime Minister visited the UK in 2015, he did more than address a crowd, he created a historic moment for the Indian diaspora. Standing at Wembley Stadium before 60,000 cheering supporters, Modi hailed the “special relationship” between India and the UK.
Arriving on stage with then-UK Prime Minister David Cameron, he told the audience, “I would like to ensure you that the dreams you have dreamt—and the dreams every Indian has dreamt—India is capable of fulfilling these dreams. There is no reason for India to remain a poor country.” A decade later, these words resonate as a testament to India’s trajectory under his leadership.
Cameron, introducing Modi, emphasised that the UK-India relationship was “about our potential,” united by ambition. The crowd erupted when he predicted that a British Indian would soon occupy Downing Street—a prophecy that also came true when Rishi Sunak was made No 10 his resident.
Cameron had also added, “Team India, team UK—together we are a winning combination.” Under PM Modi’s leadership, India has collaborated seamlessly with three successive UK prime ministers, maintaining a professional and constructive relationship through each transition. This sustained engagement bore fruit earlier this year with the signing of the long-awaited UK-India Free Trade Agreement.
Modi’s connection with the diaspora as India’s Prime Minister has been celebrated since his visit to the US in 2014, when nearly 20,000 diaspora gathered at New York’s Madison Square Garden. These events weren’t mere rallies; they were a deliberate affirmation of identity. For decades, the diaspora had endured subtle stereotyping in their host countries and a sense of guilt over leaving India. Modi transformed this narrative. By calling them India’s “brand ambassadors,” he reframed their achievements as a source of national pride, not personal compromise.
The diaspora, particularly in the UK and America where Indian-origin communities rank among the highest earners and most educated, embraced this message. No longer were they seen merely as remittance senders, they became crucial contributors to India’s global influence. Modi’s outreach boosted their self-esteem and pride, allowing them to celebrate their Indian heritage openly.
Today, as India rises towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy, the diaspora takes pride in the nation’s story, and Modi is widely recognised as its architect. Whenever he visits abroad, the overwhelming support he receives is a reflection of decades of careful diplomacy and genuine engagement with Indians worldwide. Modi doesn’t just speak to the diaspora, he gives them a place in India’s story and makes them active participants in shaping its global image.
Modi’s India: One transformative vision
Modi’s 75th birthday is also a moment to reflect on his vision for India’s future. Over the past decade, India has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from a developing nation into a formidable global powerhouse across defence, space, and advanced technology. At the heart of this transformation is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, which places self-reliance, innovation, and indigenous development at the core of national policy.
Initiatives such as Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India have strengthened domestic capabilities, fostered public-private partnerships, and propelled India into a leadership position on the global stage.
India’s defence sector has seen unprecedented growth. With the backing of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), India joined the elite club of nations with advanced military technologies. In 2025, India successfully tested a laser-based directed energy weapon to neutralise drones, joining the US, Russia, and China. The country also trialled an Active Cooled Scramjet engine for hypersonic missiles and tested its first long-range hypersonic missile, capable of carrying nuclear and conventional warheads. The integration of MIRV technology in the Agni-V missile further enhances India’s strategic flexibility, while developments in autonomous stealth UAVs and naval missile defence signal India’s entry into futuristic warfare capabilities.
India’s space ambitions have been equally audacious. In 2023, it became the first nation to land on the Moon’s south pole, joining the US, China, and Russia in lunar exploration. ISRO’s SpaDEx mission successfully demonstrated satellite docking and undocking, while the Integrated Cryogenic Engine Manufacturing Facility (ICMF) positions India as a next-generation space propulsion leader. The 2017 PSLV-C37 launch of 104 satellites marked India’s entry into elite satellite-launch capabilities.
Beyond defence and space, India is aggressively pursuing semiconductors, quantum computing, and AI, aiming to lead rather than follow. Initiatives like Semicon India and the National Mission for Quantum Technology and Applications (NMQTA) showcase India’s ambitions in next-generation technology.
Over the past decade, India has also undergone a profound entrepreneurial transformation, positioning itself as the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, behind only the United States and China. Read more about it on page 19.
Under Modi’s leadership, India has shifted from aspiration to achievement, demonstrating that its potential is limitless. From the battlefield to space, from satellites to quantum computers, India is no longer just catching up; it is setting the pace, emerging as a true global leader.
As he turns 75, Modi stands not only as a figure of domestic authority but also as a statesman whose influence extends far beyond India’s borders. His journey illustrates the evolution of a leader capable of navigating the complexities of global geopolitics while remaining deeply connected to the aspirations and sentiments of his people.
For supporters, Modi represents continuity, decisiveness, and ambition; for critics, he embodies a transformative yet polarising force in both domestic and international affairs. Either way, his impact on India, and the world, remains undeniable.
Up, close and personal with the visionary
We were truly blessed to welcome Prime Minister Modi to Luton last month during his visit to the UK. It was a great honour to meet him and I have followed his leadership closely since he and his party came to power.
One of the major challenges that always seemed to hold India back was the wide gap between classes; people either being very poor or very rich. Another significant challenge was infrastructure. This is where I truly admire Modi and his government. Since coming into power, they have been driving an ambitious agenda of infrastructure development. Today, India has made remarkable progress in highways, airports, retail, and other sectors.
These developments have caught the attention of the Western world. India is now a top destination for investors and funds, which positions the country strongly on its path to becoming one of the global superpowers.
From my personal perspective, I have never been deeply involved in politics, whether in the UK or elsewhere. What Modi has achieved, putting India prominently on the world map, is something every Indian, no matter where they live, can be proud of. Indians are now recognised globally, not as second-class citizens, but as leaders in business, innovation, and governance. This transformation is a testament to him and his government.
-Surinder Arora, Founder & Executive Chairman
We recently held a celebration for Narendra Modi's 75th birthday in Parliament, bringing the community together for this special occasion. The event was led by a respected priest from one of our local temples in Harrow. We were also joined by two distinguished gurus from India as special guests as we also had a pre-Navaratri celebration.
The celebration highlighted the strong connection the Indian diaspora in the UK has with their homeland. Narendra Modi is an inspirational leader whose journey, from humble beginnings as a “chai walla” in Gujarat to becoming Prime Minister of India, demonstrates the power of determination and vision. As Chief Minister of Gujarat, he brought significant economic progress, and as Prime Minister, he has worked to empower the poor and marginalised, helping people improve their lives through both personal effort and societal support.
Modi’s leadership is defined by discipline, dedication, and accountability. He rises at 4AM for yoga, leads a humble life, and expects the same commitment from his cabinet ministers to deliver tangible results for ordinary Indians. Initiatives like demonetisation have curbed corruption and reduced the black market, strengthening India’s economy, which continues to grow at a pace admired globally.
Having met him several times in India and the UK, I consider him one of my political heroes. It was a privilege to host this event for the diaspora to celebrate his remarkable achievements.
-Bob Blackman, Member of Parliament for Harrow East
On behalf of the Lambeth Basaveshwara Foundation, it is a matter of great pride that the first conceptual Hindu statue in the UK was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Basaveshwara statue, located opposite the British Parliament, marks the first time an Indian Prime Minister has inaugurated a statue in Great Britain. This historic moment is further significant as it is the first conceptual Hindu statue approved by the Cabinet under the Statues Act of 1854.
The statue honours a philosopher who, centuries before the Magna Carta, championed democracy, equality, human rights, and freedom of speech, earning recognition as a true “father of democracy.” The unveiling by Modi, India’s first Hindu Prime Minister, underscores this historic connection and should be recorded in history books. The event also reflects Modi’s personal bond with the UK, which he references frequently in speeches.
Modi is admired globally as a statesman who has brought stability to India’s international relations. He is consistently ranked among the world’s top leaders, his life dedicated to India’s prosperity. He has demonstrated that a leader from humble beginnings can rise to global prominence.
Modi’s governance emphasises transparency, anti-corruption measures, economic growth, and public welfare. Initiatives such as demonetisation have curtailed black-market activity, while Atmanirbhar Bharat reflects his vision of a self-reliant India. Under his leadership, Kashmir has seen significant development, and India has projected a strong, zero-tolerance stance against terrorism.
Beyond politics, Modi exemplifies health and discipline. At 75, he maintains excellent physical and mental well-being, practicing yoga daily and promoting it globally. His personal example inspires citizens worldwide to value both physical fitness and mental resilience.
Through steady and visionary leadership, Modi has positioned India to become the world’s third-largest economy in the coming decade, a glimmering highlight of his lasting impact both at home and abroad.
-Dr Neeraj Patil, Chairman of Hindus for Labour, The Labour Party
Chairman of The Lambeth Basaveshwara Foundation
