In Indian politics, few journeys are as remarkable as that of Yashasvi Shri Narendra Modi - a leader who rose from the ranks of a political organisation to become Chief Minister of Gujarat, and then Prime Minister of India, shaping the nation’s destiny over a glorious span of two and a half decades. There have been many leaders and public figures who have made notable contributions in their respective areas.
Some were known for their administrative capability, while others created a distinct identity through their political skill. But such leaders are rare, who emerge from the organisation, establish an example of their political and administrative efficiency as Chief Minister, and later, as Prime Minister, not only give a new direction to the country’s politics and governance system, but also raise India’s prestige and influence on the global stage to new heights.
The public life of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is an example of such an extraordinary journey. As Chief Minister of Gujarat for nearly 13 years, he developed a style of governance that placed development, good governance and public participation at the centre. Thereafter, after assuming the responsibility of Prime Minister of the country in 2014, he took several important steps towards making India self-reliant, secure, prosperous and influential in the world. The most significant feature of his working style is that he does not merely observe circumstances but tries to bring about change in them.
Where to remain silent in world politics, where to clearly present India’s position and where to firmly protect India’s interests, Prime Minister Shri Modi has consistently demonstrated this balance in his foreign policy. While giving the highest priority to India’s strategic autonomy and national interests, he has strengthened India’s relations with various centres of power across the world.
Today, India is playing its role as an influential power in world politics. Whether it is maintaining balance in relations with countries such as the United States and Russia, protecting India’s interests in West Asia, or advocating peace and dialogue on complex international issues such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Prime Minister has firmly presented the Indian perspective before the world.
Another important feature of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s leadership has been that during times of crisis, India has not only cared for its own citizens but has also fulfilled its responsibility towards humanity.
During the difficult period of the COVID-19 pandemic, the manner in which India took care of safety and needs of its citizens was unprecedented. Along with this, India provided medicines, vaccines and other essential assistance to several countries. From neighbouring countries such as Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives and Afghanistan to Türkiye, whenever the need arose, India extended a helping hand.
Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, several operations were also conducted for the safe return of Indian citizens from war-affected areas. Whether it was the safe evacuation of Indian students stranded in Ukraine or bringing other Indian citizens back home during crisis situations, these efforts conveyed the message that India gives the highest priority to the safety of every one of its citizens.
India’s humanitarian sensitivity was also evident when, despite difficult international circumstances, efforts were made to safely return students from neighbouring Pakistan to their country. This reflects the spirit of Indian culture in which humanity is considered supreme.
Prime Minister Shri Modi has also demonstrated firm resolve in the field of national security. The surgical strike after Uri attack and Balakot air strike following the Pulwama terrorist attack sent a clear message that India is not a country that tolerates terrorism. Operation Sindoor also firmly placed India’s resolve against terrorism before the world. India made it clear that action against terrorism is not merely a matter of security for it, but also a question of national honour and the safety of its citizens.
The firmness that has emerged in India’s policy towards terrorism under the Prime Minister’s leadership has also attracted the attention of the international community. India has achieved significant success in effectively raising the issue of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism on global platforms and mobilising broad international support against terrorism.
Recently, through the BRICS summit held in Delhi under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Modi, India has firmly established itself on the global stage as a balanced, practical and policy-autonomous nation. India’s credibility has grown as a country that represents the aspirations of the Global South and is capable of maintaining a balance in dialogue between Western countries and Eastern powers.
India has made it clear that BRICS does not function as an anti-Western bloc, but as an inclusive and reform-oriented multilateral platform. In addition, India’s digital infrastructure, economic development and firm stand against terrorism have further enhanced the country’s credibility at the global level.
In this entire scenario, the role of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been highly decisive and effective. His bilateral meetings with heads of state during summits have not only helped resolve complex regional issues but have also given a new direction to India’s economic and trade interests.
The most important aspect of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s politics is the effort to bring change in lives of poor and deprived sections. No discrimination has been made in welfare schemes on the basis of caste, region or religion. Schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, Kisan Samman Nidhi, crop insurance, Ujjwala Yojana and Ayushman Bharat have reached crores of families across the country.
To provide a dignified life to poor, attention has been given not only to financial assistance but also to fulfilling their basic needs. Pucca houses, toilets, electricity, gas connections, bank accounts, health security and availability of foodgrains have been brought into the mainstream of public welfare.
Ayushman Bharat has made treatment for serious illnesses more financially accessible for poor and helpless families. Similarly, through Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, foodgrains have been provided to crores of needy families. For the Prime Minister, ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas’ has not merely been a slogan but the basic mantra of governance.
As soon as he assumed office as Prime Minister, Shri Modi gave cleanliness the form of a national campaign. He himself took a broom in his hands to spread the message of cleanliness and called upon citizens to participate in building a Swachh Bharat. This campaign worked to bring about a change in the thinking of the country.
From villages to cities, cleanliness became a mass movement. Madhya Pradesh also played a notable role in this campaign. Indore’s consistent position among leading clean cities is an inspiring example of this public participation.
Prime Minister Shri Modi resolved to take India’s economy to new heights. Today, India has established a strong position among the world’s major economies and is moving towards becoming the third-largest economy. Campaigns such as Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, Digital India and Startup India have created new possibilities in production, technology and innovation.
India’s growing capability in defence production and exports is evidence of this. India has also achieved historic accomplishments in the field of space science. The success of Chandrayaan-3 and its successful soft landing near the Moon’s south pole drew the attention of the entire world to India’s scientific capabilities.
The Prime Minister believes that India’s greatest strength is its young population. Several schemes have been implemented to provide youth with opportunities for skills, employment, self-employment, startups and technological innovation. MUDRA Yojana has provided financial assistance to small entrepreneurs, giving lakhs of young people an opportunity to stand on their own feet. Skill development and the startup culture have strengthened among youth not only the spirit of seeking jobs but also of creating employment.
The Prime Minister has also taken several important steps for women’s empowerment. Ujjwala Yojana has provided relief to crores of women from kitchen smoke. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana has provided women an opportunity for more dignified participation in family property. The women’s reservation law has been a historic step towards increasing women’s participation in politics. Through the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ campaign, efforts are being made to make rural women economically self-reliant. This is not merely a programme for women’s economic empowerment but also a major step towards social and economic transformation in rural India.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has, along with development, worked to instil confidence in society towards India’s cultural heritage. In accordance with the spirit of ‘development with heritage’, he has sought to connect modern India with its ancient cultural roots. Yoga, which is a way of life thousands of years old in India, has gained global recognition, with the Prime Minister playing a notable role in this effort. Through his efforts, the United Nations recognised June 21 as International Yoga Day. Today, crores of people in many countries across the world are making yoga a part of their healthy lives.
Through the efforts of Yashasvi Modi ji, the Pran Pratishtha of Shri Ramlalla in Ayodhya gave new energy to the faith and cultural consciousness of crores of Indians. Similarly, the decision to end the provisions of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir has been regarded as historic from the perspective of national unity and integrity.
Through ‘Mann Ki Baat’, the Prime Minister developed a unique tradition of directly communicating with ordinary citizens of the country. The work of many people from remote villages, small towns and ordinary families across the country received a national platform. This dialogue reflects the Prime Minister’s approach that India’s development is possible not only through government efforts but through the participation of every citizen.
The 25 years of Yashasvi Shri Narendra Modiji’s public life are not merely a period of being in power but a continuous journey of service, struggle, hard work and nation-building. This journey, which began with a resolve to serve society and the nation through the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, reached from Gujarat’s Chief Minister to the Prime Minister of the country. For him, the nation comes first, and this sentiment is visible in each of his decisions. He has set the goal of making India a confident, self-reliant, secure and prosperous nation. On his birthday, we should all resolve that we will give the highest priority to national interest and play our role in building a developed India.
It has been said...
“Only one who has endured the heat of hard work has created history.
Only one who has broken steel-like rocks has changed the course of time.
This is the time, the right time, to change the course of time.”
This proclamation today expresses our faith in the leadership that has made service its spiritual pursuit and nation-building its mission. On the occasion of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s 25 years of service, let us also resolve to offer our contribution to this great endeavour of nation-building. Let us light the lamp of new hope for the country, contribute according to our capabilities and become participants in building the India envisioned by our freedom fighters and national leaders.
On Prime Ministerji’s birthday on September 17, let us all light a lamp of blessings in our homes and establishments and pray for his long life, healthy life and success. May this lamp become a symbol of the faith that India’s development journey continues to move forward, the country becomes self-reliant and powerful, and resolve of a developed India is realised by 2047. With the spirit of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas’, may the journey towards building a developed and self-reliant India continue to move forward. This is our greatest wish on the birthday of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
“We salute the one who transformed lives.”
(The writer is Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh)
