India, June 14 -- Unlike Nehru, Modi had no help, no patron, in his journey to the Prime Ministership. All he had was confidence in his own abilities and the love of his mother and her certainty that Naru would change India, being a child of destiny.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has crossed yet another milestone in an expanding list of political firsts. He is now the longest-serving Prime Minister in independent India's history. Over the years, he has accumulated a range of records unmatched by any of his predecessors, including receiving the highest number of top civilian honours from foreign countries.

According to those closely familiar with his life and political journey, the story began more than 76 years ago in Vadnagar, Gujarat, ...