Narendra Modi was sworn in as Prime Minister of India for his third consecutive term in a grand ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday. The event was attended by leaders from neighboring countries and the Indian Ocean region.
President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to Modi, followed by his team of ministers. Modi wore a full-sleeved white kurta with churidar and a blue half-jacket for the occasion.
Dignitaries in attendance included Nepal’s PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Bhutan’s PM Tshering Tobgay, Maldives’ President Mohamed Muizzu, Mauritius’ Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, Bangladesh’s PM Sheikh Hasina, and Seychelles’ Vice President Ahmed Afif.
Modi has a distinguished political career, having served two previous terms as Prime Minister starting in 2014, and as the longest-serving Chief Minister of Gujarat from October 2001 to May 2014. His tenure has been marked by significant initiatives focused on development and corruption-free governance, encapsulated in his motto ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas’.
Some of his notable initiatives include Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Housing for All, Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Man Dhan Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, UDAN, and Make in India. The JAM trinity (Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile) has notably enhanced transparency and efficiency.
Modi’s first term saw the launch of the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ on Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary, promoting nationwide cleanliness. Under his leadership, the BJP-led NDA government has significantly developed infrastructure, including highways, railways, i-ways, and waterways. The PRAGATI initiative was introduced to expedite pending projects.
Modi has also focused on India’s rich history, culture, and environmental conservation, earning the United Nations ‘Champions of the Earth Award’. His foreign policy initiatives have elevated India’s global stature, starting his terms with the presence of SAARC and BIMSTEC leaders.
Modi has received various international honors, including Saudi Arabia’s highest civilian honor, the Sash of King Abdulaziz. His proposal for the ‘International Day of Yoga’ was overwhelmingly supported at the UN, resulting in June 21 being declared as the day.
Born on September 17, 1950, in Gujarat, Modi’s early life involved working with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and later with the Bharatiya Janata Party at national and state levels. He is known for his personal connection with the public and his technological savviness.
The BJP, under Modi’s leadership, secured an absolute majority in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha polls, winning 282 and 303 seats respectively. The NDA coalition currently holds 292 seats. Modi aims to make India a developed nation by 2047.
After staking claim to form the government on Friday, Modi emphasized the continuity and vision of the NDA government. He expressed confidence that the next five years will be crucial for India’s global standing and economic growth, leveraging his decade of experience as Prime Minister.
