Former President Ram Nath Kovind highlighted the significance of June 10, 2026, as the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi surpassed Jawaharlal Nehru to become India’s longest-serving democratically elected Prime Minister. Kovind emphasized that since May 26, 2014, India’s political landscape has shifted towards an “Indian-ness” inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and other key figures. He praised PM Modi for advancing an inclusive economic model based on Rajaji’s principles, diverging from Nehru’s policies.
Kovind noted PM Modi’s efforts to promote India as the cradle of democracy globally, citing ancient democratic traditions. He pointed out the exponential growth in India’s electorate, reaching nearly 100 crore, and the increasing complexity of electoral dynamics with 744 political parties participating in the 2024 general election. Kovind highlighted PM Modi’s exceptional success in meeting rising public expectations and maintaining high approval ratings, contrasting with the global trend of shorter political leadership tenures.
Reflecting on India’s post-independence journey, Kovind underscored the importance of self-pride and shedding colonial-era inferiority complexes. He commended PM Modi for championing Indian languages, cultural symbols, and belief systems, fostering a sense of national pride. Kovind contrasted the Nehruvian era’s reliance on Western approval with the Modi years’ confidence in India’s domestic strength and cultural heritage, as well as the younger generation’s perception of growing up in “Modi’s Bharat.”
