It is my good fortune to have had the opportunity to work with Narendra Modi over many years. As he celebrates his 75th birthday on 17 September 2025, I extend my heartfelt wishes for his health and happiness.
I pray that God grants him the strength and energy to continue serving our great motherland with dedication. While Narendra Modi does not share the name of Swami Vivekananda, he has shaped his life and leadership in alignment with Swamiji’s ideals. As we know, Swami Vivekananda’s vision was to make the nation and its people strong, self-reliant, and compassionate, while bringing happiness and upliftment to the underprivileged.
Swami Vivekananda said: “Three things are necessary to make every man great, every nation great: 1. Conviction of the powers of goodness. 2. Absence of jealousy and suspicion. 3. Helping all who are trying to be and do good.”
Narendra Modi has deeply internalised Swami Vivekananda’s teachings and continues to follow the path laid out by him with dedication. The qualities admired in Modi today are firmly rooted in the principles and ideals of Swami Vivekananda. Swamiji’s call was: “Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached.” This maxim continues to resonate in the minds of today’s youth, and it is clearly reflected in Modi’s style of work.
Through his leadership, Narendra Modi has honoured India’s ancient heritage while embracing modern scientific approaches, a contribution that will surely be remembered in history. He has inspired hope, courage, and direction among the nation’s youth, energising their enthusiasm. I firmly believe that by 2047, the centenary of India’s independence, today’s youth will realise Modi’s vision of a developed India.
Life is full of challenges, and setbacks are inevitable, but Modi overcomes them with strong determination and relentless effort. His life and achievements are vast, yet I will humbly attempt to highlight the key aspects of his extraordinary personality.
Positive approach
Narendra Modi’s attitude has always been constructive. He views every situation with optimism and composure. In such moments, we are reminded of Swami Vivekananda’s words: “All power is within you; you can do anything and everything. Believe in that, do not believe that you are weak; do not believe that you are half-crazy lunatics, as most of us do nowadays. You can do anything and everything, without even the guidance of anyone. Stand up and express the divinity within you”
Ambition
There is a saying that it is possible to fail in achieving high goals, but aiming low is a crime. Swami Vivekananda, rejecting conventional beliefs about religion, salvation, and spirituality, called upon us: “Your country requires heroes; be heroes; your duty is to go on working, and then everything will follow of itself.” Starting from humble beginnings in Vadnagar, Narendra Modi resolved to reach the highest positions and, through perseverance and determination, achieved remarkable success.
Grounded and realistic
Narendra Modi approaches every task with confidence and clarity. He follows a path of his own choosing, one that many avoid due to its risks, yet, despite his distinctive ideas and bold actions, he remains grounded and humble. Swami Vivekananda said: "The greatest religion is to be true to your own nature and have self-confidence in yourself”, Modi has followed this advice to the letter.
Strong determination
Modi is renowned for his swift, decisive actions and unwavering determination, tackling even the most challenging tasks with confidence and resolve. As Swami Vivekananda said: “There is only difference between dream and aim. Dream requires effortless sleep and aim requires sleepless efforts. Sleep for dreams and wake for aims.”
Energy
Narendra Modi is known for his remarkable and relentless ability to work. To keep himself fit and focused, he follows yoga and a disciplined life, while also putting Swami Vivekananda’s words into practice: “Don’t look back – forward, infinite energy, infinite enthusiasm, infinite daring and infinite patience- then alone can great deeds be accomplished”
Memory
Modi possesses an extraordinary memory, able to recall people, past events, and conversations with remarkable accuracy. As it is said, memory is the eternal treasure of the heart, and Modi has truly made this treasure meaningful. While a picture may be worth a thousand words, nothing is as priceless as a keen and vivid memory.
Innovative
Narendra Modi’s ability to think in entirely new ways is one of his greatest strengths. This remarkable approach has made him a unique leader. As Swami Vivekananda said: “An innovative approach is what truly distinguishes a leader from a follower.”
Communication
In today’s era of rapid change, effective communication is more important than ever, and Narendra Modi has consistently demonstrated an exceptional ability to engage with people. Mastering communication requires patience, building meaningful connections, and conveying ideas clearly through both words and actions, an achievement Modi has exemplified.
His personality has become a source of inspiration for many, and we pray that God grants him a long and healthy life so he may continue his dedicated service to India and its people.
(P. K. Laheri, former Chief Secretary of Gujarat, served as Principal Secretary to five state chief ministers, including Narendra Modi. He also worked with the Government of India as Executive Director of the National Institute of Fashion Technology. After retiring, he became Chairman and Managing Director of Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited and is a trustee of the Somnath Temple Trust.)
