Narendra Modi may not flaunt a laptop like Chandrababu Naidu or Rahul Gandhi do, but the Gujarat CM is certainly one of the most tech-savvy politicians.
Narendra Modi may not flaunt a laptop like N Chandrababu Naidu or Rahul Gandhi do, but the Gujarat chief minister is certainly one of the most tech-savvy politicians in the country at the moment.
A little known fact about Modi is that he has personal assistants carrying his laptop and palmtop at all times. "What's more significant is that Modi is familiar with all the latest gadgets, such as the iPhone, PDA and music player, or has at least experienced them first hand," one of his close aides said.
Those in Modi's inner circle swear by his love for and understanding of electronic gadgets. "He uses top-end mobile phones and changes them quite frequently. Moreover, he uses them to the fullest, knowing all the functions, including internet browsing on the phone," the aide said.
Modi's love for technology came to the fore when he was still making his way up in the party. The Gujarat wing of the BJP had launched its website in 1995, at a time when most parties, including BJP's national unit, were still contemplating such a move.
However, his latest focus is his website, narendramodi.in, wherein his trusted team of information technology (IT) experts have been adding the latest bits of innovation. In addition to links to popular social networking sites like Twitter, it allows users to register with a tool still in Google's Lab, called SMS channel. This way, users can receive updates on latest goings-on and public meetings which Modi will be part of.
Of utmost interest, however, is a link which allows users to seek an appointment with the chief minister. According to a member of the team managing the website, at least 50 requests in this regard are received every day.
On Saturday, Sanskrit and Hindi versions of the Modi's website were launched in addition to already existing Gujarati and English ones.
His blog has also been receiving good attention. Given the fact that by the time the last of the campaign rounds end on May 14, he would have addressed over 225 rallies and meetings, more than any other leader in BJP as well as the rival parties, the CM has written five posts in last one week and every entry has hundreds of comments.
Net-savvyThe Gujarat wing of the BJP had launched its website in 1995, at a time when most parties, including BJP's national unit, were still contemplating such a move
On Saturday, Sanskrit and Hindi versions of the Modi's website were launched in addition to Gujarati and English ones
Modi is familiar with all the latest gadgets, such as the iPhone, PDA and music player
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