Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has taken flight towards multidimensional development. His policies and decisions have given new momentum to the creation of an Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). Along with prosperity and empowerment, India’s global stature has also increased. The country has now secured the position of the world’s fourth-largest economy.
Narendra Modi first took oath as the 15th Prime Minister of India on May 26, 2014, and again on May 30, 2019, for his second term. Having completed eleven years as Prime Minister, he is the first Prime Minister of India born after independence. Coming from an extremely modest background, Modi had no “godfather” in politics. For a person from such a background to undertake such a journey is rare. His dedication to duty and relentless hard work earned him the role of charioteer in BJP leader L.K. Advani’s Rath Yatra, which proved to be a turning point, eventually leading to his tenure as the Chief Minister of Gujarat and, subsequently, his appointment as the Prime Minister of India. The foundation of his success lies in his determination, hard work, talent, and wisdom. Neither his resolve nor his lifestyle has changed since his childhood. His inclination toward spirituality has remained consistent, and even as Prime Minister, he takes time for solitary meditation each year. This inner discipline is the source of his immense self-confidence and resolute determination.
In a world where uniqueness makes one stand out, Modi Ji marked his distinct path right from the beginning — by bowing down to the steps of Parliament before commencing his first term. He is the first Prime Minister to do so, a gesture that set him apart from all his predecessors. His distinctiveness is reflected in every decision he makes. Despite political turbulence, attacks, and challenges over the past eleven years, he has remained unwavering in his principles and policies. He has made decisions that were previously unthinkable.
One such historic decision was the abrogation of Article 370, which distanced Kashmir from full integration with India. Despite threats of bloodshed from several leaders in the region, Modi stood firm, and Article 370 was repealed, establishing Kashmir’s full integration with India. Another significant step was the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which offers Indian citizenship to persecuted religious minorities from neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Myanmar, China, and Nepal. This law also benefited Sindhi refugees who migrated during Partition.
Another groundbreaking move under Modi’s leadership was the law banning triple talaq, freeing Muslim women from its misuse. Previously, some men misused the tradition by divorcing their wives via phone, text, or verbal repetition. Muslim women widely welcomed the law. The government also amended the Waqf Act to prevent misuse, ensuring that Waqf properties serve the welfare of the Muslim community.
Modi Ji demonstrated his resolve during the surgical and air strikes. The Sindoor Strike following the Pulwama attack raised India’s prestige globally, destroying nine Pakistani terrorist camps and eliminating over a hundred terrorists. In this mission, where terrorists had earlier targeted women and desecrated their sindoor (a symbol of marriage), female officers led the response. Modi also initiated efforts to honour national heroes and integrate their biographies into the curriculum.
Thanks to the Modi government’s economic policies, India is now the fourth-largest economy in the world. Modi has pledged to make India the third-largest economy by 2027 and the largest by 2047. Initiatives like demonetisation helped curb black money and fake currency, while digitisation reduced corruption.
His policies are guided not by politics but by “Rashtraniti” (national interest), as seen in slogans like “Development with Heritage.” In his first term, he focused on rejuvenating India’s religious and cultural sites through the “PRASHAD” scheme — Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive — under which 46 projects, including Muslim and Sikh religious sites, were undertaken. This enhanced cultural confidence and boosted tourism, as evident in events such as the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, the Vaishno Devi Yatra, and the Rath Yatra in Odisha.
His “Namami Gange” campaign targeted river cleaning across India. Under the “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan,” he took up the broom in Delhi’s Pragati Maidan, inspiring a national cleanliness movement. His vision of inclusive security is embodied in the slogan: “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas” (Together with all, Development for all, Trust of all). Modi laid the foundation for a corruption-free, development-oriented administration.
He launched the Ayushman Bharat initiative — the world’s largest healthcare scheme — providing free treatment to those over 70 years of age. Women were given LPG connections under the Ujjwala Yojana, while initiatives like Har Ghar Jal and Har Ghar Nal aim to ensure access to water for all. Nearly 80 crore people are receiving free food grains. Over 34 crore people have risen above the poverty line during these eleven years. The Jan Dhan Yojana, which financially empowered the poor, now boasts over 51 crore accounts.
His call for a self-reliant India continues, emphasising that true national self-reliance begins with individual self-reliance. Basic needs, such as food, shelter, water, and fuel, must be met. When Modi took office, 18,000 villages lacked electricity — now, all of them have power. Over 4.2 crore houses were approved between 2014 and 2024, with an additional three crore homes sanctioned in the first Cabinet meeting of his third term. Sanitation was addressed through the Swachh Bharat Mission, ensuring every Indian lives with dignity.
For a strong and prosperous India, Modi promoted “GYAN” — Gaon (villages), Yuva (youth), Annadata (farmers), and Nari (women). Policies such as startup incentives have sparked a surge in self-employment among young people.
In addition to safeguarding heritage and solving basic human needs, Modi advanced India’s space program. He met with ISRO scientists and secured increased funding, which led to global recognition of India’s cost-effective space technology. India became the first Asian country to reach Mars’ orbit in its first attempt through the Mangalyaan mission. India has launched over 300 foreign satellites, including for the UK. On February 15, 2017, ISRO set a world record by launching 104 satellites in a single launch, surpassing Russia’s previous record. The GSLV Mk III launched Chandrayaan-2 in 2019, and India is working on a manned mission to the moon by 2028 under the Gaganyaan program.
He also championed “Vocal for Local and Global,” envisioning an India that meets its own needs and becomes an exporter. From a time when India imported even bullets, it is now a defence exporter. The Indigenous BrahMos missile that forced Pakistan to its knees is a testament to India’s new self-reliant defence capabilities.
Modi Ji identifies himself not as a Prime Minister but as a “Pradhan Sevak” — Chief Servant. These eleven years of his leadership have laid the foundation for a strong and prosperous India. The development path he has set India upon leads to a future where the nation reclaims its identity as the Vishwaguru and the Golden Bird of the world.
