Narendra Modi is known as a visionary leader, powerful orator and a man who stands tall in the face of adversity, putting nation first and duty foremost. His charismatic and refreshing way to connect with masses and elites alike is something that is quintessentially Modi. His leadership style naturally embraces and takes along everyone, just like his ‘hug diplomacy’, that has been connecting hearts on home soil as well as on the global stage.
Modiji is one of the few world leaders who prefers authentic and direct connection with the masses through the innovative ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio and online initiative, where he shares about important issues pertaining to the nation, his thoughts and features of different schemes. It has been an effective medium to foster the spirit of collective responsibility for national development. His connect with students through the unique annual initiative ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’ has been impacting mental wellbeing in amazing ways. Through this platform, PM Modi personally engages with students, teachers, and parents from across India, offering practical exam tips and emotional guidance. In fact, in one of his recent encounters, he shared his own struggles with handwriting in his younger days and thus made it relatable to all. Modiji has gone on to credit his direct interactions with the teacher community, as a huge contribution to shaping the NEP 2020, thus signalling a collaborative and respectful relationship with the educator community. For soldiers guarding our border, Modiji has consistently shown a sense of deep respect and has travelled to the extreme borders of our country to celebrate festivals with our forces, uplift their spirits, and assure them of the nation’s backing, from time to time. When a seventh-grade student from Kanpur gifted him a painting on the theme of Operation Sindoor, Modiji not only asked his SPG to preserve it, but he went ahead and wrote a letter lauding her vision of new and transformative India. For the scientific community Modiji has been nothing less of a father figure who never gives up on his children. In 2019, after the failure of mission Chandrayan 2, when the moonlander Vikram went silent, Modiji stood like an iron shield for the ISRO team and encouraged them to try with renewed vigour leading to the historic success of their following mission, Chandrayaan 3. His positive and growth-oriented words in that atmosphere of negativity were: ‘We came very close’.
His spirit of inclusion is reflected in his continuous appreciation of para-athletes (Paralympians) and sportspersons (Olympians) through personal story sharing and learning about their backgrounds. Recently, through the Mann ki Baat platform, he congratulated Odisha’s aqua sports athlete Rashmita Sahu for her Gold medal at the Khelo India Water sports event, and encouraged youngsters to take up water sports such as rowing, canoeing and kayaking. His respect for ‘Safai karmacharis’ and Construction workers has touched a chord with the most vulnerable and economically weaker sections of our country, be it after the revamp of the Kashi Vishwanath corridor or the construction of the Ram temple at Ayodhya,. He approaches everyone as a peer rather than an authority, thus effectively bridging gaps. His distinctly different style of engagement projects an image of a leader who values every citizen, from rural workers to professionals.
On the global stage, his diplomatic style cuts through the formal, serious realm of global politics. He has broken ice with many heads of nations and global stalwarts from Russian President, Mr.Putin, to Italian PM Ms Georgia Meloni, sharing lighter moments with them. The ‘Modi style’ of all-pervasive warmth has been consistently building connections through shared human values and gestures such as anecdotes, hugs, selfies and personal letters.
It also signals that India projects itself as an equal player on the world stage. The new India is self-assured and is here to share her expertise, resources, technical knowhow and culture, at a level playing field. It’s interesting to note what the former UK PM, Mr. Rishi Sunak described meeting Modiji was like, at the G20 summit, hosted at New Delhi. Mr. Sunak mentioned that the meeting was “very warm and productive” – signalling Modiji’s dual ability of being both approachable and diplomatic.
But what truly leads to this wave of resonance with him?
As per research, human brains are wired for resonance and are thus forever seeking connection and meaning. Naturally, when we observe qualities such as empathy, authenticity and rWepresentation of our core values, it evokes a sense of trust in us.
Modiji’s lifestyle is rooted in discipline, minimalism and simplicity. His journey from modest beginnings to the highest office is not an overnight success story, but a lifelong of penance, hard work and devotion to public service. This mirrors the journey of many Indians. He has been ridiculed for his humble beginnings as a ‘chai-wala’ but it is through those very interactions with the grass-roots, that he has such a robust understanding of the struggles of the common man. He understands the ‘real India’ like few other leaders ever have. Since his early years, he had a deep thirst to learn which led him to his period of self-discovery, when as a youngster he left home to explore the country. Modiji has travelled through the entire length and breadth of the country - from spending time meditating in the Himalayan ashrams to exploring the spiritual and cultural richness of different parts of India, to meditating at the Vivekananda rock at Kanyakumari. These experiences gifted him with a spectacular understanding of the complex nuances and cultural diversities of our unique sub-continent Bharat.
Even while holding important positions such as that of the Gujarat CM and the nation’s PM, his lifestyle has been austere and minimalistic. He wakes up early, consistently practices yoga and meditation, eats simple vegetarian meals and works tirelessly, without caring for superficial indulgences. His official residence too, reflects efficiency and minimalism - not grandeur. One of the examples of his disciplined lifestyle is the fact that he always fasts during Navratri, without compromise, even though he might be on foreign trips. Such a lifestyle contributes to his superior mental clarity through which he meticulously oversees multiple projects, personally tracks progress and executes a hands-on governance approach.
Despite his massive success, Modi regularly emphasizes his origins and the people’s role in his journey. He often calls himself a ‘Sevak’ or servant of the people and often says, ‘Main to ek chhota sa mazdoor hoon’ (I am just a small worker). His deep respect for democracy is reflected in the way he bowed at the parliament, calling it a ‘temple of democracy’, after assuming office for the first time.
But above all, the real reason people connect with the ‘Modi Magnetism’, is that he embodies the common Indian in an authentic way. His life story of struggle is aspirational for us; his minimalistic lifestyle is something that millions of Indians generally lead; his penchant for speaking in his mother tongue resonates with the rural and urban masses in equal measure; and his actions show a deep respect for the dignity of labour of the common man. The human element is the core of his magnetic leadership style, which is ingrained in him entirely through his lived experiences, and not through diplomatic training.
By Surama Padhy
(The writer is Speaker, Odisha's Legislative Assembly.)
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