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Birthday special: Here are some of PM Narendra Modi's biggest achievements

Raza Naqvi | Updated on: 10 February 2017, 1:47 IST

Narendra Modi, the first prime minister of India to be born after Independence, celebrates his 66th birthday on 17 September.

While the PM Modi-led government has come under harsh scrutiny for a plethora of issues - including anti-secularism and minority rights - it remains to be said that the Prime Minister himself has often been lauded for his hard work.

Also Read:PM Narendra Modi's pyramid birthday cake eyes Guinness World Record

The charismatic leader rose from a poverty-stricken background to become the longest-serving chief minister of Gujarat. He served for 12 years before becoming the prime minister of the world's largest democracy.

Ever since the BJP formed the government at the centre, PM Modi has drawn immense praise for his quick decision-making style and for being a workaholic. Here are some of his biggest achievements:

Improved relations with the US

Relations with the United States had become 'sour' under the UPA-2 regime. Under the Modi government, India and US have taken calibrated efforts at the highest political level to transform bilateral relations.

Under PM Modi's leadership, both countries signed the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) deal which would facilitate innovative and advanced opportunities in defense technology and trade cooperation.

Also Read: On his birthday, PM Modi will launch projects worth almost Rs 3,800 crore in Gujarat

Chabahar deal with Iran

In May this year, Modi became the first Indian PM to visit Iran on a bilateral visit after Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

During his visit, India and Iran pledged to combat terrorism and radicalism and signed 12 agreements - including a "milestone" pact on developing the strategic Chabahar port, giving a boost to economic partnership in the post-sanctions era.

India committed around US $500 million for the important port in Iran's southern coast, which will serve as a "point of connectivity" between India, Afghanistan, Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries and East Europe.

India leaves China, US behind in FDI

In 2015, India emerged the most favoured destination for foreign direct investment, unseating the US and China.

FDI inflows into India during January-June stood at $31 billion, ahead of China's $21 billion and US' $27 billion.

Resolving the OROP issue

After the Indian forces won the 1971 Indo-Pak war, the Indira Gandhi-led government had reduced the pension of the Armed forces by 20-40% without any consultation with armed forces headquarters.

So, when the Congress accuses the Modi government for not doing enough on the One Rank One Pension row, it is important to note the genesis of the whole issue.

On 14 March 2016, Army personnel received a revised pension after the BJP government's action. Pensions of over Rs 1,465 crore were paid to the Armed Services personnel.

Jan Dhan Yojna

PM Modi announced the Jan Dhan Yojna scheme on 15 August 2014. Since then, 22 crore bank accounts have been opened in public sector banks.

This scheme is aimed at giving access to banking facilities to the economically-weaker sections of society. Through these accounts, people will be able to avail the overdraft facility and receive life insurance cover worth Rs 30,000 and accidental insurance benefit worth Rs 1 lakh.

First published: 17 September 2016, 10:35 IST
 
Raza Naqvi @Mir_Naqvi

Raza is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) and has worked with the Hindustan Times in the past. A passionate follower of crime stories, he is currently working as a Sub-Editor at the Speed News desk.