Introduction
Leadership demands courage and profound selfless dedication to service. Exercising it is inherently risky, as leaders stride a precarious line, inviting simultaneous praise and criticism. When such leaders commits errors—intentionally or not—the unforgiving world around them shows little mercy. This challenge intensifies under relentless public scrutiny, where decisions ripple across millions of lives. The Western perspective on leadership focuses on innate traits which prioritizes on the essence of ‘being a leader’. In contrast to this, the Indian leadership philosophy underlines the dynamic ‘exercise of leadership’. focusing on actions and contextual practice. This distinction highlights how Western models pursue inherent qualities, while Indian traditions value leadership as a performed role shaped by duty, relationships, and situational wisdom.
Leadership is beyond mere power or authority; it is about the self-awareness and compassion—grasping one's inner potential facilitating others to unlock collective capacities through mobilization. A true leadership calls for a clear vision, with unwavering focus on the work needed to manifest it into reality. It requires mindfulness of personal strengths, keen observation of the surroundings, adaptive actions, and the freedom to operate with social, emotional, and intellectual agility.
NAMO
The eighteenth Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, popularly known as NAMO was born on 17th September 1950 in poor and backward family. His remarkable journey from balancing tea trays in the trains to becoming the Prime Minister of India stands as a powerful demonstration to his resilience and unwavering aspiration. His journey so far, his personal life has been one of the fierce struggles facing every challenge courageously.
A humble chaiwala from Gujarat's lanes is shaping the destiny of a billion-plus nation. The thunderstorm who changed the India’s landscape. The year 2014 was a watershed in the political history of the country. The last one decade has witnessed noticeable positive changes under his leadership showcasing India’s emergence as an economic superpower.
NAMO and Leadership: A Constructive Thunderstorm
Leadership is the capacity to influence others through inspiration, motivated by passion, generated by vision, produced by a conviction, ignited by a purpose- Myles Munroe.
The leadership legacy of NAMO needs no introduction. His legacy of leadership symbolizes visionary compliance, decisiveness, strong communication, discipline, a promise to public welfare and a deep connection to India’s cultural heritage transforming India through bold reforms and long-term economic vision. His leadership qualities though alike thunderstorm are constructive in nature as he is successfully stripping away the outdated structures of India which revealed its weaknesses, His leadership qualities embraces ‘storms’ to face every challenge. In the process he has introduced many bold reforms in India. According to R. Balashankar, ‘the new face of India smiles with electrification, free gas connection, health insurance, loan schemes, free housing, clean toilets, better roads and Digital India, he has transformed lives as never before and reached the governance to the doorsteps of every needy Indian. Never before has so large population has been nursed out of poverty, despair and destitution’.
These traits of him associate perfectly with ancient Vedic principles of राजर्षि (Rajrishi)- a sage-like ruler who balances wisdom and action. NAMO’s magnetic personality attracts the people and inspires them. So far it is evident that whichever strategy is adopted by Modiji, becomes a centre of attraction for both: the public and opposition.
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Core Leadership Traits with Sholka’s
The following shlokas embody the core of Narendra Modi’s leadership style, blending ancient wisdom with modern governance challenges. These shlokas effectively emphasize the foundation of his strategic vision and action. To begin with the following is Sanskrit shloka from Bhagvad Gita 2.47
1. कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन। मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥
Meaning that, ‘one have the right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions’. This sholka reflects Modi’s focus on delivery without attachment to personal gain- a selfless duty. He dedicated his life to the concept of an RSS pracharak, served as Chief Minister of Gujarat for thirteen long years, and is currently holding the office of Prime Minister of India.
The spiritual and temporal realms are often viewed as polar opposites. Yet, fulfilling one's duties with a sense of detachment enables simultaneous progress on the spiritual path. The shloka given below focuses on the same.
2. योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय। सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते॥ (Bhagavad Gita 2.48)
It signifies that, ‘Be constant in yoga, perform your duties without any attachment, O Arjuna, treating success and failure alike. Such equanimity is called yoga’. Transforming one’s life with yoga, helps to be flexible, strengthen the physical and inner soul with mental clarity, urging leaders to focus on righteous duty rather than outcomes. Various sources mention that NAMO wakes up at 4:00 am every morning. His morning rituals consist of walking, Surya Namaskar, and some form of meditation. This helps him depicting self-control, strength and balanced despite his hectic schedule.
Modi’s steady leadership through crises embodies this trait. The unique blend of spirituality and leadership not only outlines his tenure but also proposes a model for enlightened leadership in the modern world. During national crisis and challenges, he took bold decisions for the national interest and for serving his countryman. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he took the courageous and bold initiatives like launching Atmanirbhar Bharat despite global economic disorder and domestic criticism. As a part of karma yoga, with his firm approach he dealt the situation of initial setbacks in vaccine rollout efficiently. The outcome was seen in the successful vaccination drives and economic recovery packages, achieving over two billion doses administered without any attachment to praise.
3. यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत। अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम्॥
The above sholka is profound declaration that comes from the Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 4, Verse 7. In Sanskrit, it means that, ‘whenever there is a decline in righteousness (dharma), O Bharata (Arjuna), and a rise in unrighteousness, at that time I manifest myself to protect dharma’.
In the above verses, Lord Krishna reveals his divine purpose to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, emphasizing his role as the protector of cosmic order.
In present context, especially from Indian leadership narratives this shloka inspires ‘responsive governance’. The leadership qualities of Narendra Modi perfectly fits here. Leaders act as modern ‘manifestations’ by intervening during the times of crisis. As a Prime Minister of India, he fulfilled his economic dharma by introducing various policies like Digital India, Make in India, supported the entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial talent by fostering Self-Reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat) scheme. To strike a balance, he envisaged the social justice in the country. He introduced schemes like Mudra Yojana for empowering the women and thereby to encounter adharma like gender inequality, echoing protection of the righteous. At global level as a strong leader, he safeguarded the national interest of the country amid rising protectionism and ethical lapses in global trade to restore fairness (Trump and Tariff).
4. न हि देहभृता शक्यं त्यक्तुं कर्माण्यशेषतः। यः तु कर्मफलत्यागी स सर्वदा समाधिगतः॥ (Adapted Gita)
The above verse, states that ‘mastery over the mind and self, lays down the foundation cornerstone of effective leadership’. This enables leaders to navigate chaos with clarity and resolve them effectively. This ancient wisdom, in the Bhagavad Gita's call for self-control, aligns seamlessly with modern leadership theories like emotional intelligence and resilience. Modi’s personal discipline stands as a hallmark of his work ethics, a leader who embodies relentless dedication. On an average he works for 16-18 hours with minimal sleep-often just 3-4 hours. During his tenure as Chief Minister, he worked through nights on policy files, and as Prime Minister, he has been spotted reviewing documents on flights. His everyday schedule shows this mastery: he rises before dawn for yoga and meditation, practices pranayama for mental clarity. He prefers having simple vegetarian meals against lavish meals avoiding alcohol and tobacco, maintaining a minimalist lifestyle even in power.
This discipline isn't simple routine, but it is the engine of transformative governance. Depiction from Gita's philosophy of nishkama karma (detached action), his approach demonstrates how personal rigor transforms to national resilience, proving discipline as the basis of his visionary leadership.
5. The ancient Vedic wisdom from the Rig Veda focuses on unity and inclusiveness.
एकं सत् विप्रा बहुधा वदन्ति
The shloka implies that, ‘truth is one; the sages call it by many names. It captures an essence of unity amidst diversity, a principle that vibrates deeply in India’s multicultural fabric. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's motto, Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas (Together with all, Development for all), embodies this philosophy in modern governance reflecting inclusive growth and unity. It was introduced in 2014 campaign and was embedded in the policy with the aim to promote inclusive growth irrespective of caste, creed, religion, and region. To ensure that no one is left behind many initiatives were introduced like PM-JANMAN for tribal welfare, Ujjwala Yojana providing LPG to millions of poor households, and the triple talaq ban exemplifying outreach to marginalized groups. The events like Yoga Day celebrations fosters national unity and also unites global participants. For the development of Jammu and Kashmir, the abrogation of Article 370 is framed as an equitable integration. By harmonizing diverse voices toward shared prosperity, Modi's vision mirrors the Rig Veda's truth: One India, Great India for nations progress.
6. उत्साहो भयवर्जितः शौर्यं दया शतं श्रुतं कर्मनिष्ठा च तेजः
The above verse is from Valmiki Ramayana. It portrays six exemplary qualities. ‘Enthusiasm, fearlessness, valour, compassion, commitment, and brilliance’. Modi’s bold policy moves manifest these qualities, that have reshaped India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership shines through six exemplary qualities—enthusiasm, fearlessness, valour, compassion, commitment, and brilliance—as vividly manifested in his bold policy moves that have reshaped India's growth trajectory. His enthusiasm, evident in the launch of many flagship schemes like Digital India and Make in India, igniting national pride and entrepreneurial spirit among youth. His fearlessness can be witnessed in his surgical strikes post-Uri (2016) and Balakot airstrikes (2019). He gave strong decisive responses to cross-border terrorism that signalled zero tolerance without escalating to full war. The abrogation of Article 370 (2019) showcases his Valour, a courageous step towards assimilating Jammu and Kashmir. His compassionate leadership quality can be noticed when he Initiated various welfare schemes like PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, delivering free rations to 800 million during COVID-19, and Ayushman Bharat scheme, providing health coverage to the poorest, reflecting empathetic governance. His commitment can be seen in the infrastructure revolution which exhibits transformed connectivity in the country from 100 plus airports to Vande Bharat to the Chenab Bridge. In 2017, he brilliantly implemented GST. He successfully blended fiscal innovations with global diplomacy to position India as a $5 trillion economy powerhouse.
Modi sees his destiny as leading India to reclaim its historical place among world’s great nations.
6. वसुधैव कुटुंबकम
During India’s G20 Presidency (2023), the theme “One Earth, One Family, One Future” explicitly referred Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam under the leadership of NAMO. During this summit India extended its support to give voice to the Global South emphasizing issues like debt distress, food and energy security, climate finance, and technology access for developing countries. Promoting multilateral reforms for the better representation of poorer countries in global financial and governance institutions. Emphasizing on shared responsibility, India wants to extend its partnership in the Advance global public goods such as digital infrastructure, climate action, health preparedness, and sustainable lifestyles.
Apart from this, in wider diplomacy and India’s humanitarian aid, disaster relief, vaccine supply (‘Vaccine Maitri’), and development projects across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Pacific are presented as family-like solidarity, not one sided charity. The Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam moves the spotlight from narrow national self interest to a family ethic in economics—where compassion, cooperation, and global advocacy guide trade, finance, technology, and diplomacy.
On the concluding note, one can say, these traits, drawn from timeless Indian ethos, prove Modi's policies not as gambles, but as calculated boldness yielding enduring progress. NAMO has vision beyond Borders. The impact of Modinomics is clearly visible now on Indian economy. India has now started witnessing the transformation in many spheres as never before, making a real time change affecting the lives of billion people showing effective ‘Modi-Phenomena’. The different sector of the economy started moving positively contributing to the country’s growth. Narendra Modi is the agent of change who transformed India. Modi is no accidental Prime Minister. He had to fight hard every inch so that he could survive the test.
As rightly mentioned by Renu Saini, ‘the gusts of storm and struggle have taught him never to give in to the worst of circumstances. The struggle has tried him and proved his mettle. Decisions on the home front, foreign tours and his vigorous speeches have mesmerized the whole world’.
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