Birthday Special: Rare pics of Narendra Modi, India's 15th Prime Minister

New Delhi: Narendra Modi, the man who used to sell tea at Vadnagar Railway station in Gujarat,has taken over as the 15th Prime Minister of India.For the first time in last 30 years, the Indian electorate gave a clear cut majority to any single party in the Lok Sabha.The BJP on its own won 282 seats and with its NDA allies they have crossed 335 seats in the lower house of the parliament.Read Also: 10 facts to know about PM Modi's wife JashodabenThe BJP's spectacular success has been mainly attributed to the charismatic leadership of Narendra Modi who had served as Gujarat Chief Minister for 12 long years.On his 65th birthday, we bring to you some of the rare photographs of the Indian Prime MinisterThe journey of Narendra Modi from ‘Vadnagar' to the likely occupant of 7, Race Course Road has been truly remarkable.Modi has seen many ups and downs in his life and career.Before taking over as Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001, Modi was a purely organizational man who had never contested any elections.DON'S MISS: Rare pics of Narendra Modi, India's 15th Prime MinisterBut once he was anointed as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, there was no looking back for Modi and he won three state elections in a row.Nobody can explain what exactly makes him so popular among hoi-polloi. At the same time, he is widely known as a person who wears his heart on his sleeves.Even his opponents admire him for his bold and fearless stand on sensitive issues that can dent his carefully crafted image of a no-nonsense man.No other Chief Minister in India evokes as much hatred as Narendra Modi but at the same time no other Chief Minister commands as much respect as Narendra Modi.The hatred for Modi is community specific but he is admired across communities and his popularity transcends all barriers of caste, community and religion.Narendra Modi is a patriot since childhood. During Indo-Pak war of 1965, Modi, as a 15 year old boy, volunteered to serve the soldiers in transit at the railway stations. Similarly, in 1967 at an age of 17 years, he served the flood affected people of Gujarat.Modi was born in an OBC family of grocers in Vadnagar of Gujarat.Modi wanted to become a sanyasi when he was a child. In fact, he was always fascinated with Sadhus, different forms of worship and meditation.He ran away from home after completing his school education.He visited many places including Ramkrishna Ashram of Belur in West Bengal.Finally, he reached Himalayas and wandered aimlessly and stayed with unknown but yogic Sadhus for months.After two years of wandering in Himalayas without money and with two pairs of clothes, he suddenly decided to give up ‘Sanyas' life and returned home.After returning from Himalayas, Modi ran a tea stall with his brother at the State Transport Office in Ahmedabad.Modi sold tea for many years. That was the time when Modi learnt what hardship really meant. It made him more determined and resolute in his approach towards life.Narendra Modi is very particular about his appearance in public. He prefers trimmed beard and hair.As for his clothes, his favourite cloth store used to be Jade Blue of Ahmedabad. He ensures that he looks elegant whenever he moves out.Narendra Modi has done a three-month course in US on public relations and image management. This could be one reason why he has succeeded in positioning himself as one of the most affable and sought after politicians in India.Narendra Modi adores his mother and never forgets to take her blessings whenever he undertakes any new initiative- political or otherwise.In fact, she is his only closest relation. He has got all traditional virtues of an Indian man. He is a teetotaler. He doesn't drink, doesn't smoke. He is a complete vegetarian. In nut-shell, he is miles away from even minor vices.Women all over India and cutting over age bracket adore Modi. In his home state, he is seen as a sex symbol among women.A close look at his public meetings makes it abundantly clear that women outnumber men among attendees.Analysts say this is mainly because of his emperor like image exuding absolute power and authority.Modi is a prolific writer and poet.He writes in Gujarati language and his favourite topics include life and teachings of Hindutva icons.Narendra Modi is a big fan of Swami Vivekananda.He is also a great admirer of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, the first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of India.Narendra Modi as the Chief Minister of Gujarat had started a project of constructing Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel's staue that is supposed to be world's highest statue.Narendra Modi has always accused Congress party of ignoring Sardar Patel and promoting members of Gandhi-Nahru family only.Modi was born in an OBC family of grocers in Vadnagar of Gujarat. Modi wanted to become a sanyasi when he was a child.In fact, he was always fascinated with Sadhus, different forms of worship and meditation. He ran away from home after completing his school education.He visited many places including Ramkrishna Ashram of Belur in West Bengal. Finally, he reached Himalayas and wandered aimlessly and stayed with unknown but yogic Sadhus for months.After two years of wandering in Himalayas without money and with two pairs of clothes, he suddenly decided to give up ‘Sanyas' life and returned home.Narendra Modi adores his mother and never forgets to take her blessings whenever he undertakes any new initiative- political or otherwise. Even today he went to meet his mother after it became clear that Modi is going to be the next Prime Minister.In fact, she is his only closest relation. He has got all traditional virtues of an Indian man.He is a teetotaler. He doesn't drink, doesn't smoke. He is a complete vegetarian. In nut-shell, he is miles away from even minor vices. Women all over India and cutting over age bracket adore Modi.In his home state, he is seen as a sex symbol among women. A close look at his public meetings makes it abundantly clear that women outnumber men among attendees. Analysts say this is mainly because of his emperor like image exuding absolute power and authority.The biggest mystery of Narendra Modi's life was his relationship status. The world knew him as a ‘bachelor' till the time he declared himself as married in his election affidavit . A magazine published a story in 2009 that claimed Jashodaben to be Modi's wife.The fact that Modi never contested the facts of the story gave credence to the content of the article. Modi's wife is a retired school teacher and lives in Rajosana village of Banaskantha district.She is said to got married with Modi when she was 18. She had studied up to class VIII only and that is supposed to have spoiled their relationship.It is said that Jashodaben does not like to be photographed as she believes she is not good looking. Not only this, she is conscious of Modi's high position and does not want to create any embarrassment to Modi although she is hopeful that someday Modi will come to her and publicly accept her as his wife.In 2014 elections the media covered when she went out and cast her vote.