Obama writes about PM Modi in Time magazine, calls him ‘India’s reformer-in-chief’

Obama describes Modi’s life story 'from poverty to Prime Minister' as one that reflects the dynamism and potential of India’s rise. (AP File Photo)

US President Barack Obama said on Thursday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unleashed his nation's "true economic potential" and called him ‘India’s reformer-in-chief’.

In an article in the Time magazine titled "India's reformer-in-chief", Obama said that as a boy, 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."

Apart from Modi, ICICI chief Chanda Kochchar and Vikram Patel, co-founder of the NGO Sangath and the Centre for Global Mental Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, have also been named to the annual list of the most influential people in the world "who are shaping the future."

The article written by Obama:

Narendra Modi
By Barack Obama

India’s reformer-in-chief

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.

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. 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.”

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 recognizes that more than 1 billion Indians living and succeeding together can be an inspiring model for the world.

Obama is the 44th President of the United States.                          (Courtesy)