On Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 75th birthday, Janata Dal (Secular) leader and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda lauded him for dismantling the long-standing notion that only the Congress party could unify India and ensure stable governance. In a heartfelt letter, Gowda, who led India from 1996 to 1997, credited Modi with fostering socio-economic stability and a renewed sense of cultural pride over his 11-year tenure.

“May God give you the strength to take our nation to greater heights,” Gowda wrote, wishing Modi health and longevity to become a centenarian. Modi, born on September 17, 1950, in Vadnagar, Gujarat, has been celebrated widely today, with tributes from leaders like President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan for his global leadership.

Gowda emphasized the challenge of governing India’s diverse and complex populace, noting Modi’s ability to maintain calm and unity as a remarkable feat. He argued that Modi has shattered the “carefully cultivated myth” propagated by Congress that it alone could deliver stability, pointing to Modi’s leadership in unlocking India’s talent pool and democratic potential.

“You have proved this nation has a rich pool of talent, which with dedication will always seek better solutions,” Gowda stated, highlighting Modi’s role in inspiring confidence in India’s future. This sentiment echoes Modi’s electoral successes, leading the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to victories in 2014 and 2019, despite a 2024 Lok Sabha setback, and recent state wins in Haryana and Maharashtra.

Internationally, Gowda praised Modi for transforming India’s stance, moving from seeking Western aid to negotiating as an equal, prioritizing national interests. Initiatives like Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat have bolstered India’s economy, which grew from the 11th to the fifth largest globally by 2025, with a GDP of $4.27 trillion per IMF estimates.

Gowda noted Modi’s handling of military tensions, such as the 2020 Galwan clash, as pivotal in reshaping national thinking, aligning with his “nation first” ethos. Additional birthday wishes poured in from Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, and international figures like US President Donald Trump, who called to discuss India-US ties.

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Gowda’s endorsement, rooted in his own experience as a coalition-era leader, underscores Modi’s transformative impact on India’s unity and global standing, reinforcing his legacy as a unifying force.

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