As Prime Minister Narendra Modi turns 75, many people from across politics, arts, business, and sport are sharing their personal “My Modi story”. These are moments small and large, ranging from first meetings to shared meals, that seem to have left lifelong impressions.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah recalls a Rajkot expedition with Modi when he was taught to prioritise workers over oneself. That lesson of humility, says Shah, has now become something central in how he leads.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis speaks of his first meeting with Modi in Nagpur, when Modi chose a simple room meant for Sangh karyakartas over a more luxurious rest house. To Fadnavis, that said a lot about what kind of person Modi is.

Sports icons too have their memories. Chess legend Viswanathan Anand tells of how Modi, hearing him express love for a Gujarati thali, immediately arranged to share one; he said it’s the small gestures that stay with people. 

Business leaders like Uday Kotak speak about Modi’s observant nature Kotak remembered Modi pointing out how braille trail tiles in Japan could help visually impaired people, and later wanting to implement similar paths back home in Ahmedabad. 

Actors also note personal touches. R. Madhavan says Modi recognised him even when he was in full makeup for a movie role, which surprised him greatly. And Nagarjuna Akkineni reflects on their first encounter in 2014, calling it inspiring, warm, and full of life lessons. 

These stories paint a portrait of a leader for many who value closeness, simplicity, and small moments over pomp alone. As he celebrates his 75th birthday today, these recollections seem to remind people of the human side behind the office.