Our Prime Minister surely knows how to be in news through his words and ,more importantly, by following them up with his deeds.
While he stole the thunder from the US election results by announcing his demonetization plans on the night of Nov 8, it wasn’t his only news grabbing action this year.
Here’s a list of 10 major events featuring the Indian Prime Minister that made him a deserving winner of the prestigious opinion poll, outsmarting the likes of US President Barack Obama and Presient-in-waiting Donald Trump.
1. The demonetisation drive
Mr Modi reinforced his image of a bold political reformer as he scrapped 500 and 1000-rupee notes overnight on Nov 8, a move he said would combat ‘black money’ and terror financing.
The demonetization decision has won Mr Modi many admirers for the political risk he took ahead of crucial state elections in coming months. The decision to nix the highest denomination notes in circulation, however, has also been blamed for putting the future of India’s economy at stake.
2. ‘Surgical’ strikes on terror launchpads in Pakistan
The decision of the Modi administration to retaliate to an attack on an Indian army base in September helped Mr Modi drive home the message that his government was serious about fighting terrorism. The ‘surgical’ strikes resulted in death of 35 to 50 militants holed up in camps close to the Line of Control(LoC) and caused significant damage to terror infrastructure, according to government’s version of the event.
The announcement created a buzz in international military and diplomatic circles as it was seen having brought the nuclear armed neghbours as close to a full-scale war as possible in recent times.
3. Modi still the most favoured leader in India
An opinion poll by Pew Research Center in September 2016 found that Narendra Modi continued to enjoy a good image among Indians, despite being two years into his tenure.
Around two-thirds of people surveyed reportedly expressed favorable opinion of Mr Modi, which goes some way into explaining how the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-strongman managed to out-elect the likes of US President Barack Obama and President-in-waiting Donald Trump in Time Person of the Year poll.
4. Balochistan- An enemy’s enemy is a friend
Mr Modi’s mention of Balochistan issue in his Independence Day speech from the ramparts of Red Fort earlier this year was unprecedented in the sense that no Indian Prime Minister had been so vocal and public about the seperatist movement in Pakistan.
Mr Modi’s public stance, however, was received favourably by some separatist leaders in Balochistan, who said that they welcomed Indian assistance in their political and military struggle against the Pakistani state.
5. NSG push
While the issue of not being able to make it to the coveted Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) due to opposition from Beijing may be seen as a blow to Modi administration’s diplomatic efforts, it was publicity for the Indian Prime Minister nevertheless as India’s prospects at the NSG sparked international attention.
China also reportedly vetoed a vote at the United Nations (UN) which would have seen terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammad being branded as a global terrorist organisation.
6. Partial resolution of the One Rank One Pension (OROP) issue
The BJP-led government fulfilled one of its main campaign pledges in March 2016, releasing around Rs 5,500 crore toward pensions of retired military personnel.
Under the terms of One Rank One Pension (OROP), defense personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service are entitled to an equal pension.
The issue had been lingering for decades as successive civilian governments and the Indian military had failed to reach a consensus on terms of government pension.
7. Bullet train deal
On his recent trip to Japan, the Indian Prime Minister managed to seal a deal that will see Japanese companies introducing high-speed bullet train to India.
The project, whose cost is estimated at Rs 98,000 crore, will be rolled out between Mumbai and Ahmedabad initially.
8. Strong economic growth
The economic growth has picked up again under Mr Modi, after seeing a slump in the last years of the UPA rule.
According to latest figures, India grew at an impressive 7.2 percent in the third quarter ending September 2016, the highest rate for any economy of comparable size.
9. Ratification of Paris climate agreement
The Indian government finally ratified the Paris climate change agreement, which the previous Indian administrations had refused to sign as the terms weren’t seen favourable to developing countries including India.
The ratification will give India diplomatically leverage at other international forums as well.
10. Top choice for foreign investors
India became the most attractive destination for foreign direct investment replacing China in 2015, it was revealed in April this year.
Under Mr Modi’s stewardship, India saw its foreign investor inflows rise to $63 billion.
