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Fan boys: Obama hails Modi 'India’s reformer-in-chief' in Time magazine

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DailyBiteApr 16, 2015 | 23:18

Fan boys: Obama hails Modi 'India’s reformer-in-chief' in Time magazine

In its latest list of 100 most influential leaders, Time magazine has got US President Barack Obama to write about his friend Narendra.

The short piece, in which Obama calls the prime minister “India’s Reformer-In-Chief”, has the US president raving about Modi’s much publicised personal achievements and development vision.

About the prime minister’s humble “chaiwala” beginning and his meteoric rise to power, Obama writes: “As a boy, Narendra Modi helped his father sell tea to support their family. Today, he’s the leader of the world’s largest democracy, and his life story — from poverty to prime minister — reflects the dynamism and potential of India’s rise.”

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The US president goes on to laud the prime minister’s efforts in building India’s economic stature and human development: “Determined to help more Indians follow in his path, he’s laid out an ambitious vision to reduce extreme poverty, improve education, empower women and girls and unleash India’s true economic potential while confronting climate change.”

Obama, who was invited by Modi for the Republic Day celebrations, goes on to say, “Like India, he transcends the ancient and the modern — a devotee of yoga who connects with Indian citizens on Twitter and imagines a ‘digital India'.”

Talking about how the prime minister and he struck a chord over the common thread of diversity and tolerance in their countries, the US President writes: “When he came to Washington, Narendra and I visited the memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We reflected on the teachings of King and Gandhi and how the diversity of backgrounds and faiths in our countries is a strength we have to protect. Prime Minister Modi recognises that more than 1 billion Indians living and succeeding together can be an inspiring model for the world.”

Last updated: April 16, 2015 | 23:18
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