PM Modi Birthday / Narendra's story on his 75th birthday, why did he make the first call to his mother after hoisting the tricolor

PM Modi Birthday: Kala Vasudev Chowk in Vadnagar, Gujarat. A small house with a tiled roof. This was the house where Damodardas, a tea stall owner, and his wife Hiraba lived. On 17 September 1950, exactly 75 years ago, Narendra Modi was born in this house.

The family of eight people—Damodardas, Hiraba, their five sons and a daughter—lived in a single room. The roof would leak in heavy rains, and Hiraba would keep utensils under the leaking water. Seeing his mother's trouble, little Narendra would rush to help her.

Tea stall and struggle

Damodardas' tea shop was outside the Vadnagar railway station. Narendra would often help his father there. The family's income was so low that Hiraba had to wash utensils in nearby houses and do labour work. Narendra Modi often gets emotional while remembering this struggle. On 28 September 2015, at a Facebook Townhall in the US, he recalled his mother's sacrifice and hard work.

Early education and RSS influence

Narendra received his early education at Kumarshala-1 in Vadnagar. At the age of eight, he began attending Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) shakhas. In 1958, on Diwali, RSS pracharak Laxmanrao Inamdar, popularly known as 'Vakil sahab', visited Vadnagar. He addressed and administered oath to the Bal Swayamsevaks, including Narendra. It was here that the seeds of Hindu nationalism ideology were sown in his mind.

A journey of renunciation and self-discovery

Narendra was married to Jashodaben at the age of 13, as was the tradition of his society. But his mind did not stay within the four walls of the house. He called himself 'Aniket'—one who has no home. One day he told his mother, "Maa, I feel like going out and seeing what the world is like. I want to follow the path of Swami Vivekananda."

Father Damodardas was worried about his son's renunciation, but Hiraba showed his horoscope to an astrologer. The astrologer said, "His path is different, he will go wherever God has decided." After this Narendra left home.

From Himalayas to Hedgewar Bhavan

Narendra first went to Belur Math of Ramakrishna Mission, then travelled to Delhi, Rajasthan, Northeast and Himalayas. He spent most of his time in Garudchatti of Uttarakhand. After about two years, he returned to Vadnagar, but left home again after just 17 days. RSS's lawyer sahab arranged for him to stay in 'Dr. Hedgewar Bhavan' in Ahmedabad. From here Narendra worked for the expansion of the organization for 15 years as a RSS volunteer, branch in-charge and then as a pracharak.

Entry into politics and Gujarat model

In 1985, Narendra Modi entered active politics and soon became a member of the National Election Committee of BJP. His micro-management skills helped the BJP win 11 out of 14 seats in Gujarat in the 1989 Lok Sabha elections. His organisational ability in LK Advani's Ram Rath Yatra in 1990 and Murli Manohar Joshi's Ekta Yatra in 1992 brought him close to national leaders. Modi did not lose courage even amidst attacks and firing in Phagwara, Punjab during the Ekta Yatra. After hoisting the tricolour at Lal Chowk, he first called his mother to allay her concerns.

From Chief Minister to Prime Minister

On October 1, 2001, when Narendra Modi was at the cremation of a TV journalist, the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee called him to Delhi. Atal ji jokingly said, "You have become very fat by eating Punjabi food in Delhi. Go back to Gujarat again." The next day Modi reached Ahmedabad and met his mother. On October 7, 2001, he took oath as the Chief Minister of Gujarat.

In 2002, Gujarat riots took place, on which serious allegations were made against the government. However, the magisterial court and the Supreme Court gave Modi a clean chit. His 'Hindu Hriday Samrat' image and the 'Gujarat model' made him the BJP's prime ministerial candidate in 2014. That year, the BJP won an absolute majority with 282 seats, and Narendra Modi became India's 16th prime minister.

Mother's blessings and democracy's victory

When Modi entered Parliament after becoming prime minister, he touched the stairs to his forehead. His mother Hiraba visited the Prime Minister's residence for the first time. The moment was historic not just for him but also for Indian democracy—the son of a woman who once washed dishes in other people's homes became the leader of the world's largest democracy.

Unbroken winning streak

Narendra Modi contested seven elections in electoral politics—all as chief minister or prime minister—and won all of them outright. The 2019 and 2024 elections made him the second longest-serving prime minister after Jawaharlal Nehru.

Hiraba's Passing and the Continuing Journey

On December 30, 2022, Hiraba passed away at the age of 100. Today, on his 75th birthday, Narendra Modi marks his third birthday without his mother. But his active political life and commitment to serving the nation continue unabated.

From that small home in Vadnagar to the world stage, Narendra Modi's journey is the story of India's democracy, resolve, and dreams.