"I take all my decisions through the prism of Nation First"

Since NARENDRA MODI occupied the official residence of the prime minister of India at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, it has undergone an impressive facelift. The colonnaded entrance leads to a long corridor with a maze of meeting rooms. In the prime minister's study, two paintings of peacocks and birds adorn the room. He has a large desk that is bereft of papers, and a computer console on a side table.

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It was here on December 26, wearing a military green shirt jacket studded with brass-buttons, that he sat down for an interview with India Today's Chairperson and Editor-in-Chief AROON PURIE, Vice Chairperson KALLI PURIE and Group Editorial Director (Publishing) RAJ CHENGAPPA. In an hour-long interaction, the PM spoke passionately on a range of key domestic and international issues apart from discussing in depth his unique management style. He also gave written answers to questions sent earlier. The interview is an amalgamation of the two-the verbal and the written answers

Prime Minister, congratulations, you are India Today's Newsmaker of the Year 2023. How do you feel about it?

Thank you for the distinction of Newsmaker of the Year 2023. For me, there have been many newsmakers this year: our farmers who are leading a record agriculture production and bringing about a millet revolution globally; our people who made G20 a big success across the country; our Vishwakarmas who are charting a path of success through their skills; our athletes who made us proud at the Asian Games, Asian Para Games and other tournaments; our youth who are creating new records, be it in the field of start-ups or science; our Nari Shakti which is scaling new frontiers in all sectors, especially now that a new story of empowerment is being written through women-led development. I have been fortunate to serve the people of the country for many years now. During this time, we have seen many successes as well as challenges.

Q. What were these challenges?