Narendra Modi marks 23 years in public office: Key achievements and future vision

Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a message on social media after marking 23 years in leadership on Monday (Oct 07). In a post on X, the 74-year-old reflected on his journey, which started when he became Chief Minister of Gujarat on 7th October 2001.

Modi wrote, “A heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has sent their blessings and good wishes as I complete 23 years as the head of a government. It was on October 7, 2001, that I took on the responsibility of serving as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. It was the greatness of my Party, @BJP4India, to task a humble Karyakarta like me with the responsibility of heading the state administration.”

Recalling the challenges Gujarat faced when he took office Modi said, “When I assumed office as CM, Gujarat was facing numerous challenges – the 2001 Kutch Earthquake, before that a Super Cyclone, a massive drought, and the legacy of many decades of Congress misrule like loot, communalism, and casteism. Powered by Jana Shakti, we rebuilt Gujarat and propelled it to new heights of progress, even in a sector like agriculture, for which the state was not traditionally known.”

Under Modi’s leadership, many welfare initiatives were introduced in Gujarat, including water conservation efforts through the Sujalam Sufalam Jal Abhiyan, improved access to electricity via the Jyotigram Yojana, and sanitation projects like the Nirmal Gujarat campaign.

One of the key programmes inspired by Modi’s tenure in Gujarat is the Jal Jeevan Mission, which was shaped by the success of the Sujalam Sufalam Jal Abhiyan. By August 2024, the mission provided safe tap water to nearly 12 crore rural households across India.

Modi’s round-the-clock electricity project, first seen in Gujarat, expanded nationally under the Saubhagya Scheme. Over 2.86 crore households have been connected to the electricity grid, improving living standards in rural areas and reducing the reliance on diesel pumps, contributing to sustainability.

During the COVID-19 crisis, free food grains were provided to millions of poor under the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. The scheme continues to ensure food security for over 80 crore people, offering essential support to low-income families.

The Swachh Bharat Mission, launched in 2014, was inspired by the Nirmal Gujarat initiative. It has made a substantial impact on sanitation in India, helping to improve health outcomes by reducing waterborne diseases and saving thousands of infants’ lives each year.

On the global stage, Modi positioned India as a leader in sustainable development. At COP26, he introduced the LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) movement, encouraging communities to embrace environmentally friendly habits to fight climate change.

Modi envisions a ‘developed India’ by 2047, which would mark the nation’s 100th year of independence. The vision, “Viksit Bharat,” focuses on long-term goals like infrastructure development, economic growth, and enhancing India’s global position.

(With inputs from agencies)