# List of nicknames of prime ministers of India

This is a list of nicknames or public names of prime ministers of India that were or are in common usage.

## Jawaharlal Nehru

Full name: Jawaharlal Nehru
* Chacha (Hindi: uncle), as he was better known among children.
* Pandit, for his Kashmiri Pandit ancestry.

## Lal Bahadur Shastri

Full name: Lal Bahadur Shastri
* Man of Peace
* Nanhe (Hindi: little), was his childhood nickname.

## Indira Gandhi

Full name: Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi
* Durga, given by the opposition leaders after she led victory against Pakistan in 1971 war.
* Iron Lady, Henry Kissinger described her as an "Iron Lady", a nickname that became associated with her tough personality since her lifetime.
* Mother India, a biographical book written on her by Pranay Gupte.
* Priyadarshini (Sanskrit: dear to the sight), was also her middle name

## Morarji Desai

Full name: Morarji Ranchhodji Desai
* Man of Principles

## Charan Singh

Full name: Chaudhary Charan Singh
* Chaudhary Sahab
* Champion of Indian Peasants, He earned this nickname for his advocacy of farmers’ rights and agrarian reforms during his tenure.

## Rajiv Gandhi

Full name: Rajiv Gandhi
* Father of Information Technology and Telecom Revolution of India, This nickname highlights his role in modernising India’s IT and telecom sectors, laying the foundation for their global prominence.

## V. P. Singh

Full name: Vishwanath Pratap Singh
* Mr. Clean, He was called this due to his reputation for integrity and his efforts to combat corruption in politics.

## Chandra Shekhar

Full name: Chandra Shekhar Singh
* Young Turk, This nickname was given for his bold, rebellious stance against established political norms during his early career.

## P. V. Narasimha Rao

Full name: Pamulaparthi Venkata Narasimha Rao
* Modern-Day Chanakya, He earned this title for his strategic brilliance in steering India through economic liberalisation and political challenges.

## Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Full name: Atal Bihari Vajpayee
* Ajatshatru, Meaning “one without enemies,” this nickname reflects his ability to maintain cordial relations across political divides.
* Bhishma Pitamah, a nickname that is given to him by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

## H. D. Deve Gowda

Full name: Haradanahalli Doddegowda Deve Gowda
* Dodda Gowdaru (Kannada: Senior Gowda), for disambiguating him from his children or anybody else with the Gowda title.
* Mannina Maga (Kannada: son of the soil), for iterating that he is down-to-earth and cares for the poor.

## Inder Kumar Gujral

Full name: Inder Kumar Gujral

## Manmohan Singh

Full name: Manmohan Singh
* Accidental Prime Minister, This nickname arose from his unexpected rise to the prime ministership without a strong political base of his own.
* Mohna, a childhood nickname used by his friend Raja Mohammad Ali
* Silent Prime Minister, He was dubbed this for his reserved demeanour and preference for working quietly behind the scenes.

## Narendra Modi

Full name: Narendra Damodardas Modi
* Chaiwala, This refers to his humble beginnings as a tea seller, a narrative he embraced to connect with the masses.
* Chowkidar, Meaning “watchman,” he adopted this title to symbolize his commitment to safeguarding the nation’s interests.
* NaMo, A blend of his initials (Narendra Modi)