Time magazine lists PM Modi in ‘100 Most Influential People 2020’ but adds a stinging note
While featuring PM Modi in the influential people's list, Time did not shy away from suggesting that Modi, as India's PM, had "brought into doubt" India's secular nature.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made it to Time magazine's ‘100 Most Influential People 2020’ list. PM Modi is the only politician from India to have been featured in the 'Leaders' category.
Other world leaders who feature in the Time list include US President Donald Trump; Chinese President Xi Jinping; Joe Biden, presidential challenger to Trump in 2020 US elections; Kamala Harris, US Democratic vice presidential nominee for the 2020 election; Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen; German Chancellor Angela Merkel; and Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
While featuring PM Modi in the influential people's list, Time did not shy away from suggesting that Modi, as India's PM, had "brought into doubt" India's secular nature where "Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and other religious sects - all have abided in India".
Time noted that "the Dalai Lama (who has spent most of his life in refuge there) has lauded the country as ‘an example of harmony and stability’.”
However, PM Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party, labelled as Hindu-nationalist, has "rejected not only elitism but also pluralism, specifically targeting India’s Muslims," claims the short write-up on PM Modi in Time, written by editor at large, Karl Vick.
"The crucible of the pandemic became a pretense for stifling dissent. And the world’s most vibrant democracy fell deeper into shadow," it concludes, seeking to build a narrative on PM Modi's rule.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Photo: Reuters)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is among the few Indians who have been featured in Time Magazine’s list of ‘100 most influential people of 2020’. Modi is the only politician from India who has made it to the coveted list.
Modi, who turned 70 a few days ago, has emerged as a central figure in India and the world after his party’s convincing victory in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
He has been at the forefront of India’s fight against the coronavirus pandemic even as opposition leaders continue to blame his government for failing to handle the pandemic situation.
Prominent leaders like Congress’s Rahul Gandhi have also launched scathing attacks against the prime minister for rising unemployment in the country and the deepening conflict with China at the Ladakh border.
While there is growing criticism in the country regarding some of the ruling BJP-led NDA government’s policies, a recent India Today-Karvy Insights Mood of the Nation (MOTN) survey found that PM Modi remains the most popular leader in the country.
The survey found that 66 per cent of the people believed that Narendra Modi should be the next prime minister of India.
PM Modi has been a recurring name on the Time Magazine’s ‘100 most influential people’ list and has appeared four times on the list since coming to power in 2014. His name has appeared on the list in 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2020.
List of Indians who made it to Time's 100 most influential people
1. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made it to the Time Magazine’s list of '100 most influential people of 2020,'
2. Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana also features on the list.
3. 82-year old Bilkis, the 'dadi' who became the face of Shaheen Bagh protest.
4. Professor Ravindra Gupta, known for his work on HIV/AIDS treatment.
5. Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai.
List of Indians who made it to Time's 100 most influential people
1. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made it to the Time Magazine’s list of '100 most influential people of 2020,'
2. Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana also features on the list.
3. 82-year old Bilkis, the 'dadi' who became the face of Shaheen Bagh protest.
4. Professor Ravindra Gupta, known for his work on HIV/AIDS treatment.
5. Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai.
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