I'm a Master in India

Chapter 268: How Mo Da Xian Was Forged

Mo Da Xian was born in Vadnagar, a backward small town in Gujarat.

There were no paved roads, let alone single-lane cement roads.

Camels often pulled wooden carts with great effort along the dirt roads, with timber piled high on the carts, and women with water buckets on their heads occasionally walked by the roadside.

The town had few multi-story buildings; dilapidated temple roofs peeked out among the wooden houses. The streets were dotted with small window shops selling groceries and ubiquitous tea stalls.

Modi's caste is Ganchi, which means 'oil presser' in Sanskrit, belonging to a sub-caste of Vaishya.

When he was born, Vadnagar was small and poor. There was no electricity, let alone running water.

The education level was low, and medical conditions were almost non-existent. Besides occasionally watching a Bollywood movie at the town's small theater, there was also a railway line leading to Ahmedabad.

At that time, the average lifespan of an Indian was only in their thirties, and over eighty percent of the population was illiterate.

Modi's family of nine squeezed into a cramped mud house with a tin roof, just like many Slums in the cities.

As a child, he helped his father sell tea on the muddy roundabout outside the train station, surrounded mostly by similar small stalls or rickshaw pullers who did manual labor.

The train station had only one platform and a narrow track, with a yellow corrugated iron canopy serving as the platform, bearing the town's name on its roof.

The school was across from the train station, and after school, Modi would go to the tea stall to help. He would carry a teapot and cups, going into the train carriages to ask if any passengers wanted tea.

Such a childhood was not unusual, just like most Indian children. If there was anything exceptional about Modi, it was his fondness for going to the rural parade ground outside the town.

From the age of eight, after returning home from school, he would either go to help at the tea stall or drop his schoolbag and run off to join the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (National Volunteer Corps).

At the gatherings, a group of adult men and boys, dressed in uniforms and khaki shorts, carrying sticks, would perform group calisthenics and sing patriotic songs.

This was a right-wing Hindu organization with millions of members across India, and almost every city had a branch.

Mahatma Gandhi was from Gujarat, and the Rashtriya Swayamsevah Sangh (National Volunteer Corps) also originated in Gujarat.

It sounds ironic that Gandhi eventually fell to the bullets of a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (National Volunteer Corps) member.

Because of this incident, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (National Volunteer Corps) was banned three times over several decades. Henu bluntly stated, “These people have Mahatma Gandhi's blood on their hands.”

This organization itself does not nominate candidates but wields immense political influence; the Indian People's Party originated from it.

Many high-ranking politicians within the party were initially members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (National Volunteer Corps).

As a child, Modi loved participating in such semi-military gatherings, and he would even give impromptu speeches at school to his classmates about the necessity of respecting Indian soldiers.

Each speech could last ten to fifteen minutes, and his oratorical skills began to develop from that time.

Under the influence of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (National Volunteer Corps), Modi firmly believed that the great Indian civilization had been led astray.

At eighteen or nineteen, he left home after a big argument with his family.

He disliked the arranged child marriage his family had set for him; he had been betrothed to a girl named Jasudaben from a neighboring village when he was a toddler.

At eighteen, Modi was forced by his family to marry the girl, who was a year younger than him, but this clearly went against his personal wishes.

Not long after, he left home, reportedly to go on a pilgrimage to the Himalayas.

Two years later, Modi returned home with a small bag of clothes, but before his mother could rejoice, he packed his bag again early the next morning and set off once more, this time for good.

He first went to help at his uncles' tea stall in Ahmedabad, but soon resigned, as he disliked such a monotonous life.

Later, he became a full-time member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (National Volunteer Corps), running errands for leaders during the day and sleeping on a mattress on the floor at night.

He lived a simple life, did not drink alcohol, did not eat meat, and adhered to the principles of celibacy and asceticism.

It's hard to imagine an Indian man being associated with asceticism; even Gandhi didn't succeed.

However, Da Xian is Da Xian; he has an extremely strong will and is very opinionated.

He progressed quickly within the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (National Volunteer Corps), soon being promoted to propaganda officer.

Because he was involved in propaganda, Modi often traveled between towns, sometimes on foot, sometimes on a small motorcycle.

His public speaking skills were further strengthened and quickly became his hallmark.

During the years India was under emergency rule, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (National Volunteer Corps), as a thorn in Indira Gandhi's side, was a primary target for suppression.

Modi had to hide and flee, sometimes having to disguise himself and escape from one city to another.

He even dressed as a Sikh, with a thick black beard, sunglasses, and a white turban.

His main task during those years was to print and distribute pamphlets opposing the emergency, which made the Indian National Congress his lifelong enemy.

His influence within the organization grew daily, and he began to personally write propaganda brochures, visiting major cities across India, including the political center, New Delhi.

Many people's impression of him was that he was confident, good at arguing, and highly charismatic, daring to stand firm and capable of persuading others.

By the mid-1980s, Modi caught the attention of the higher-ups and was transferred to work for the newly established Indian People's Party.

Initially, the main focus was to gain support from three types of people: conservative high-caste groups, small business owners, and those aligned with Hindu ideology.

Modi became increasingly adept; he performed exceptionally well, especially in election campaigns.

The most important instance was in 1990, when he assisted Indian People's Party leader Mr. Adaniwala in organizing a rally aimed at stirring public sentiment, known as the “Rath Yatra” or “Chariot Journey.”

During this time, Mr. Adaniwala rode in a Toyota truck decorated to resemble a chariot from Hindu mythology, traveling through most parts of India.

Their demand was to demolish the Babri Masjid in Uttar Pradesh and build a Rama temple on its original site.

Yes, that's right, it was the Babri Masjid that sparked the Indian-Muslim conflict in 1992.

Mo Da Xian had a hand in this, including last year's Mumbai bombings.

Since then, he had established connections with the Indian People's Party's high command, especially gaining the appreciation of leader Mr. Adaniwala.

However, internal struggles within the Indian People's Party were also extremely fierce, and Modi had friction with senior party official Vaghela.

In 1992, he was sidelined from politics and subsequently established a school in Ahmedabad.

However, within two years, at Mr. Adaniwala's insistence, he was recalled to work for the Indian People's Party this year.

The state general election, held every five years, was approaching, and the Chief Minister of Gujarat would change next February or March.

Major parties were gearing up, and the Indian People's Party leadership was determined to win next year's election.

In Gujarat, 90% of the population are Hindu, and the Indian People's Party has developed sufficient strength over the years.

If they win next year, it will be the Indian People's Party's first time governing Gujarat, which is of great significance.

Modi is a well-known instigator within the party, especially skilled in election work.

Thus, for the greater good, internal party strife entered a low period, and Mr. Adaniwala brought Modi, who had been ousted, back into the fold.

As soon as he returned to the Indian People's Party office, Modi got straight to work.

From five to eight in the morning, he would arrive at his desk and arrange for four or five young people to simultaneously call several candidates.

Most candidates were sleeping at this time, and it would take four or five minutes for someone to answer.

While the young people were waking up the candidates, he would first converse with one or two other people.

After finishing these tasks, he would actively contact business owners to solicit votes or discuss investment promotion with them.

It was under these circumstances that Ron received a call from Mo Da Xian; he was an election organizer for the Indian People's Party.

The Indian People's Party headquarters in Gujarat is in the state capital, Gandhinagar, very close to the metropolis of Ahmedabad, less than thirty kilometers away.

After leaving the airport, Ron took a car and headed north. The wide highways disappeared, traffic became congested, and air pollution was severe.

Although it was already November, the midday sun in Gujarat was still scorching, with temperatures exceeding thirty degrees Celsius.

The Indian People's Party headquarters was a three-story modern building near the Sabarmati River, with the party flag featuring a lotus symbol hanging limply on the wall, as if wilted by the high temperature.

When Ron arrived, newspaper reporters were waiting in the courtyard, seemingly to interview a politician.

Perhaps impatient from waiting, many staff members were hiding under a nearby tree to cool off.

Led by the reception staff, Ron entered the ground floor lobby. There was a colorful sand table of India, marked with the Indian People's Party's strongholds in various states.

Occasionally, slogans from supporters could be heard outside, but due to the hot weather, the shouts sounded weak.

Ron was led into an office where Mo Da Xian was sitting, making a phone call.

He had slightly thick lips, a meticulously groomed beard, and wore a brown kurta shirt and gold-rimmed glasses.

With just one glance, Ron knew it was him, indeed. That big beard was too distinctive; it was still black, not yet streaked with gray.

Modi was full of energy, and after handling four or five calls consecutively, he finally had time to look up.

“Mr. Sur, hello.” He stood up and performed a namaste.

“Hello,” Ron nodded at him.

“Mr. Adaniwala is free right now, let's go see him.”

Modi was a decisive person; he had a cold demeanor but incredibly strong execution skills.

Moreover, having worked in propaganda, he possessed excellent eloquence.

On the way to the upstairs office, his mouth never stopped, constantly expounding to Ron the various conveniences of setting up factories in Gujarat.

State elections are not just about shouting slogans; you also need to present tangible achievements or promises.

For example, what factories will be introduced after taking office, how many jobs will be provided, how many public facilities will be built.

It would be best if they could reach verbal agreements with well-known large factories in advance and gain their support.

The party spokesperson could then use this to boast to the media about the exciting projects that would be launched once they are in power.

Of course, as businessmen who endorse them, they would also receive unimaginable generous returns afterward.

This is how Ron was attracted; otherwise, why would he travel thousands of miles to unfamiliar Gujarat.

The Indian People's Party, just emerging, was still worth befriending.