The award citation talks about Modi’s ‘selfless service’ and ‘visionary leadership’ at a time when his PMO is battling criticism for ‘damaging institutions’.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has received the first-ever Philip Kotler Presidential award for his “outstanding leadership for the nation” (sic).
The Kotler awards were set up to honour mastery in the field of marketing and management, but this is the first time an award has been instituted to be presented to the leader of a nation.
The award is named after 87-year-old Kotler, founder & chairman of the World Marketing Summit Group and professor at Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, known as the ‘Father of Modern Marketing’.
However, the award has also opened the PM up to mocking from his critics, given its association with ‘marketing and management’. Critics and political opponents have often accused Modi and his government of concentrating more on PR and marketing, rather than bringing about real changes in the governance of India.
PMO statement
The Prime Minister’s Office tweeted out its statement along with three pictures of Modi receiving the award.
“The Award focuses on the triple bottom-line of People, Profit and Planet. It will be offered annually to the leader of a Nation,” it read.
Quoting the award citation, the PMO tweeted: “Shri Narendra Modi is selected for his outstanding leadership for the nation. His selfless service towards India, combined with his tireless energy has resulted in extraordinary economic, social and technological advances in the country.”
Also read: PM Modi first to be awarded Philip Kotler Presidential award
Boost for Modi’s image
At the time when the PMO is battling criticism over “damaging institutions” in the wake of the CBI crisis, the award comes as an image boost for Modi and his government. More so because the citation, as per the PMO statement, talks about Modi’s “visionary leadership”, which it says has resulted in the digital revolution (Digital India), including the Unique Identification Number, Aadhaar, for “social benefits and financial inclusion”.
The citation also says: “Under his leadership, India is now identified as the Centre for Innovation and Value Added Manufacturing (Make in India), as well as a global hub for professional services such as Information Technology, Accounting and Finance.”
These are all points that the BJP and Modi’s supporters use to hail the NDA government’s five years in power.