How India fell in love with outgoing New Zealand PM "Jacinda Ardern"

Jacinda Ardern became the world’s youngest female head of government when she was elected prime minister in 2017 at 37. She has led New Zealand through the Covid-19 pandemic, and a series of disasters including the terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, and the White Island volcanic eruption.

Over the past year, Ardern has faced a significant increase in threats of violence, particularly from conspiracy theorist and anti-vaccine groups infuriated by the country’s vaccine mandates and lockdowns. She said, however, that the increased risk associated with the job were not behind her decision to step down.

During her term in office, she was widely appreciated for her progressive politics and feminist choices, and emerged as a “celebrity politician”, frequently appearing on magazine covers and lists of top world politicians. 

Her government was among the first in the world to impose a national lockdown, issue strict isolation mandates, and shut off international borders.

She was a leader of a small nation who reached celebrity status with the speed of a pop star especially in India. Many political leaders have praised her style of governance and for blatantly calling out racism and attacks on minority. Many wished for similar governance style to be carried out in India as well.

There are so many moments which can be described as superstar moments. During a speech, tremors of an earthquake were felt in a hell where the PM was delivering her speech. There were shattering sounds all around but that did not scare her at all. 

This wasn’t Ardern’s only experience navigating an earthquake with cameras pointed at her. In May 2020, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake hit Wellington as the PM was participating in a television interview. “We’re just having a bit of an earthquake here, Ryan,” Ardern told the interviewer with a grin. “Quite a decent shake here, if you see things moving behind me,” she said, to which the interviewer replied, “Alright, has it stopped?”

Such anecdotes have raised her reputation to a stardom level. Many of her ardent fans in India follow NZ  news because of her liberal policy decisions. 

Journalist Sagarika Ghose wrote “If there is a contemporary politician we can hold up as an example of a democrat, leader and citizen, it is #jacindaardern. The whole world should be sorry to see her step down”

Word Smitheries 

1. Infuriate - Angry 
2. Grin - Broad Smile 
3. Shattering Sounds- Breaking Sounds
4. Anecdotes - Short Stories