INGENUITY: KEY TO NaMo’S SUCCESSFUL LEADERSHIP

MODI’S UNIQUE IDEA OF WELCOMING GUESTS IN BJP NATIONAL MEET - Anil Goyal, Uttarkhand BJP

We had organised a meeting of the National Executive Committee in Mussoorie in 2001 and Modiji assumed the organisational part of the meeting as his responsibility. On the eve of this meet, Modiji’s attention was drawn towards the changing weather and he observed that the skies were turning overcast. He immediately got in touch with me and said that we must not overlook this aspect. I said that I had not really thought about it and the stage at the entrance of the railway station was ready for the event. He then suggested to everyone that the women karyakartas must carry saffron-coloured umbrellas to the railway station in order to welcome the senior leaders for the meeting. He said that this would not only help in identifying the women wing for the guests who could then guide our the then national President Hon’ble Atalji and Shri Advaniji in the correct direction but would also be a support in case it started pouring.

That’s how we spent the entire night arranging for about 60 umbrellas and got in touch with the agency that would write banners in hand those days and create the necessary posters and banners for us. The next day our karyakartas from the women wing stood at the station with the umbrellas that looked very attractive indeed and above all, it rained that morning and the utilitarian value of Modiji’s idea came to the fore.

Modiji’s visionary thinking and impeccable planning for the future is something remarkable and admirable. Making events a success and ensuring that they are conducted flawlessly is part of his personality and this makes him a leader who is deeply loved and respected.

CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS WITH A HUMAN TOUCH - Neema Bhakkar, Gujarat

How should we celebrate the birthdays of our children or how should we celebrate when a baby is born in the family? This question was addressed by Modiji so beautifully that even today, we feel motivated by his thoughts and make sure that his advice is followed each year.

He once said to us, “In order to celebrate birthdays, you spend a lot of money. You buy birthday cakes, decorate the house, invite people home and party.” At then he mentioned to me that I must carry forward the good work that my father-in-law was doing in the tribal area by inspiring people to adopt one tribal child every time a child was born in a family. We must pledge to support that tribal child by way of providing him or her education, food, clothing etc. This is how Modiji and my father-in-law encouraged us to work for the upliftment of the tribals. On the first birthday of the children born in our family, we would adopt one tribal child. My sistersin-law and I had decided to not spend money on celebrations; rather spend it on sponsoring a child’s education who was in need of support. Modiji has been a source of great inspiration to us and has helped us rethink the way birthdays are celebrated in families.

MODI’S THRUST ON NARI SHAKTI IN POLITICS - Bali Bhagat, Former Minister, Jammu and Kashmir

When Modiji was BJP incharge of Jammu Kashmir in 1997 and 1998, there was an ongoing meeting of which he was an integral part. He asked us “So is the District team ready? Have you formed the Mandal team?” We replied in the affirmative. Then he asked us “What about the Morchas? Is the Yuva Morcha ready? Is the SC, ST Morcha ready?” We said yes, the Morchas have been formed too. Well, he immediately pointed out, “And Mahila Morcha? Give me the details.” And we said, “Sir, we don’t have Mahila Morcha.” Modiji asked us the reason why it wasn’t there. Our karyakartas started to complain and said that women are hesitant. They don’t come forward for such activities. Do you know how Modiji reasoned this out with the karyakartas? He said “Whenever there is a wedding, all the girls and women, young and old, come out in the evening, apply heena, and participate with great enthusiasm in dance and music programs. How does that happen? This always happens as there is a senior lady who organises the event, gets all the women together and plays a leadership role in such programs. She decides the seating arrangement, who is going to sit where, she meets and greets the guests, and she tasks other women with relevant bits of work and they willingly listen to her commands and requests. So tell me, do you have such women in your village or not?”

This is what Modiji asked us and of course, the reply was that we do have plenty of such women in our village. Then Modiji explained to us “Such women have leadership qualities. You must tap them and ask them to lead the Mahila Morcha. Such a woman will lead the Mahila Morcha with great success for you!”

COMPILED AND EDITED BY SHWETA SHARMA AND SHASHIKANT SHARMA