‘A Journey Of Service’: PM Modi Reflects On 25 Years In Governance

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday celebrated 25 years of public service. He thanked citizens for their ‘continuous trust and affection’. PM Modi pledged to work with renewed determination to realise the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’.

Taking to X, PM Modi posted, “On this day in 2001, I took oath as Gujarat’s Chief Minister for the first time. Thanks to the continuous blessings of my fellow Indians, I am entering my 25th year of serving as the head of a Government. My gratitude to the people of India. Through all these years, it has been my constant endeavour to improve the lives of our people and contribute to the progress of this great nation that has nurtured us all.”

Looking back on his early days in office, PM Modi recalled taking charge of Gujarat in ‘very testing circumstances’. At the time, the state was recovering from a massive earthquake.

“It was in very testing circumstances that my Party entrusted me with the responsibility of being Gujarat CM. The state was suffering due to a massive earthquake in the same year. The preceding years had witnessed a super cyclone, successive droughts and political instability. Those challenges strengthened the resolve to serve people and rebuild Gujarat with renewed vigour and hope,” he asserted.

The Prime Minister also remembered his late mother’s advice on the day he took the oath of office.

“When I took oath as Chief Minister, I remember my Mother telling me – I do not have much understanding of your work but I only seek two things. First, you will always work for the poor and second, you will never take a bribe.”

He further added, “I also told people that whatever I do will be with the best intent and will be inspired by a vision to serve the very last person in the queue,” PM Modi recalled.

The Prime Minister reflected on his journey and noted that his 25 years in governance, filled with significant experiences, during which India made ‘remarkable strides’.

Recalling the early days of his tenure in Gujarat, PM Modi stated, “Together, we have made remarkable strides. I still recall that when I took over as CM, it was believed that Gujarat could never rise again. Common citizens, including farmers, complained about lack of power and water. Agriculture was in the doldrums and industrial growth was stagnant. From there, we all worked collectively to make Gujarat a powerhouse of good governance.”

The Prime Minister further noted that Gujarat, once drought-prone, became a leader in agriculture and industry.

“Gujarat, a drought-prone state became a top performing state in agriculture. The culture of trading expanded into robust industrial and manufacturing capacities. Regular curfews became a thing of the past. Social and physical infrastructure received a boost. It was very satisfying to be able to work with the people to achieve these outcomes,” PM Modi remarked.

Turning to 2013, when he was declared the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, PM Modi recalled, “In 2013, I was given the responsibility of being the Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Those days, the nation was witnessing a crisis of trust and governance. The then UPA Government was synonymous with the worst form of corruption, cronyism and policy paralysis. India was seen as a weak link in the global order. But, the wisdom of the people of India gave our alliance a thumping majority and also ensured that our Party got an absolute majority, a first after 3 long decades.”

Highlighting his government’s record since 2014, PM Modi said that India had witnessed transformative change driven by collective effort.

“Over the last 11 years, We The People of India have worked together and achieved many transformations. Our path breaking efforts have empowered people from all across India, especially our Nari Shakti, Yuva Shakti and hardworking Annadatas,” he emphasised.

The Prime Minister further added, “We are home to one of the largest healthcare and social security schemes in the world. Our farmers are innovating and ensuring that our nation is self-reliant.”

PM Modi reaffirmed his commitment to promoting domestic industries. He highlighted the growing support for the ‘Swadeshi’ movement. This reflected in the call of ‘Garv Se Kaho, Yeh Swadeshi Hai’.

The Prime Minister wrapped up his message by expressing his gratitude once again.

“I once again thank the people of India for their continuous trust and affection. To serve our beloved nation is the highest honour, a duty that fills me with gratitude and purpose. With the values of our Constitution as my constant guide, I will work even harder in the times to come to realise our collective dream of a Viksit Bharat,” PM Modi concluded.

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