THE nine years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Government have been dedicated to bring about development which is inclusive, progressive, and sustainable.
The Government has been steadfast in its commitment of creating equity and opportunity for all citizens. It has brought the politics of development into the mainstream, making it the focal point around which political discourse and policy action now revolves.
Since assuming office of the PM in 2014, Modi has remained firm in his resolve of keeping ‘India first’ in every policy formulation and action.
This is evident from the Government’s handling of external and internal security, economic management, empowerment schemes for marginalised groups, efforts at cultural conservation and so on.
The Modi Government has always believed in setting challenging targets, and achieving them before the set deadline.
This can be seen across sectors, whether it is in vaccinating the entire eligible population in record time against Covid-19, recording the nation’s highestever exports in history, in the digital revolution which is taking place across India, in achieving monumental targets for rural electrification, in building world-class infrastructure or in providing drinking water facilities across households.
Paradigm shift in PDS
In the last nine years, there has been a paradigm shift in public service delivery and the implementation of Government schemes using the JAM trinity-Jan Dhan, Aadhar, and Mobile. JAM trinity is the key enabler of India’s transformed and well-developed digital landscape.
It has removed intermediaries and permits direct transfer of benefits into an intended beneficiary’s bank account.
Infrastructure projects
The completion of infrastructure projects that were delayed over decades, as well as starting and completing new ones has been the cornerstone of the Government’s developmental approach.
In stark contrast to the earlier piecemeal approach to development, the Modi Government has brought in a culture of holistic development that leaves no one behind.
The massive expansion of welfare coverage over the last nine years has motivated all Indians to dream big and aspire for greater achievements.
The expansive and holistic reach of development and welfare schemes has ensured irreversible empowerment for various marginalised groups, helping them become aspirational and self-reliant.
Sustainable development
The world is now realising that development, which is not sustainable, is not real development and has long-term consequences for the human race. This is in line with ancient Indian philosophy which has always valued nature and environment.
Under PM Modi, India has championed environmental protection globally, emerging as a leader of the movement. Like environment, under PM Modi’s leadership, India is also committed towards preservation, and promotion of its rich cultural heritage.
Since becoming the PM in 2014, PM Modi has also set a new benchmark in reforms and governance which has become a model for inclusive development not just for India but for many parts of the world.
He has not only encouraged people to aspire but also provided adequate Government support for fulfilling their rising aspirations so that every Indian in ‘Amrit Kaal’ can be a part of India’s growth story.
Enabling policies and grassroot initiatives of the Modi Government have led to social and economic transformation of the country since 2014, and the nation is all set to become the fourth largest economy in world within two years
Facts speak for themselves
Some of the major milestones achieved during the New India’s nine-year journey under Prime Minister Narendra Modi are:
Thinking big for the poor
During the last nine years, crores of households got access to some of the most basic facilities for the first time ever through Jan Dhan accounts (48.27 crore), Ayushman Bharat (37 crore), PM Suraksha Bima Yojana (29.75 crore), PM Jeevan Jyoti Yojana (13.53 crore), PM Ujwala Yojana (9 crore) and PM Awas Yojana (over 3 crore) and other direct benefit schemes.
The nation comes first
The Modi Government was not only the first to introduce the ‘one nation one tax’ regime through the Goods and Services Tax (GST) , but also abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution giving special status to Jammu and Kashmir under its ‘one nation one flag’ vision.
Road, rail, air connectivity The Government
added14.4 km railway tracks on an average daily compared to 6 per cent earlier and achieved 40000 km railway electrification in the last nine years. Till 2014, it was 20000 km. The total length of highways in the country registered an increase of 159 per cent.
There has been an 81.25 per cent increase in road development in rural areas. The number of airports rose by 102.7 per cent and 473 new routes were opened under the regional air connectivity scheme.
Udan. schemes friendly for the farmers
The Modi Government distributed 1,121 million metric tonnes of foodgrain in seven phases under the Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.
The volume of agricultural exports in 2022-23 increased to $50.2 billion compared to $39.08 billion in 2013-14. An amount of Rs 53,600 crore was collectively received by beneficiaries of the Kisan Samman Nidhi and over 11.42 crore farmers joined the Fasal Bima Yojana after 2018.
Medical colleges and universitites
The number of medical colleges in the country during 2014-2023 increased from less than 400 to 700 and the number of MBBS/PG seats from a mere 80,000 to 1.7 lakh. The number of universities in the country has witnessed a 52.7 per cent increase during the last nine years of the Modi Government.
Stand-up india disbursements
The Modi Government disbursed an amount of Rs 40,710 crore under the Stand-Up India scheme in over 1.8 lakh accounts until March 21, 2023. As a result of this, the number of startups today has gone up to over one lakh, from just 32 in 2014.
Transformative change in infra
Under Prime Minister Modi, India has not only completed long-pending projects like Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressway and Saryu Nahar Irrigation Canal etc., but also brought about a transformative infrastructural change in in areas bordering with Pakistan and China.
The Chenab Bridge is the world’s highest railway bridge, while the Atal Tunnel is the world’s longest highway tunnel. The Vibrant Village Programme is a game changer.
India turns into digital economy
India’s transformation into a digital economy, primarily led by UPI of the NCPI, is one of the major achievements of the Government. Today, India leads in terms of using digital transactions, where even roadside vendors accept digital payments for very small amounts.
UPI-based digital payments worth Rs 800 crore are made in India every month.
And not to be missed
As many as 231 priceless stolen artefacts have been brought back to India during the last nine years of the Modi Government.
