The meteoric rise of Narendra Modi

Modi assumed reins of government in Gujarat at a time when BJP in the state was afflicted by intense internal bickerings. He replaced senior BJP leader Keshubhai Patel as chief minister in the wake of criticism over mishandling of relief and rehabilitation after the devastating earthquake of January 26, 2000.

As he sought to gear up the administrative machinery to set things right, he was faced with another challenge in the form of the Godhra massacre on February 27 this year.

Modi was accused by many, both within and outside the country, of complicity in the riots that followed but he responded saying it was an unnecessary hue and cry over violence that was a reaction to the Godhra carnage and had hardly affected two per cent people of the state.

As chief minister, Modi initiated "Samaras Gram Yojna", a scheme of unanimously elected gram panchayats, and launched "Vidya Lakshmi" and "Kanya Kelavani Yojna" with financial rewards for education of girls besides organising "Lok Kalyan Mela" to bring government closer to the common man.

A poet and author of repute, he has penned a number of books including "Sangharsha Ma Gujarat" (Gujarat under Struggle), "Setu Bandh" and "Patra Roop Guruji."

A techno-savy person, Modi is up-to-date with latest developments in information technology and makes it a point to surf the internet everyday.

As part of e-governance, he launched "Tele-Fariyaad" and video gramsabha to open the doors of government to remote areas and promote people's participation in rural management.