Transforming India’s Destiny – A Decade Of Progress And Renewal

The tenth year of the Modi government’s tenure has begun with positive news. Amid global disappointment, India has recorded a splendid 7.2 percent GDP growth rate in 2022-2023. Adding to this achievement, the GST collection for the month of May has reached a new record of 1.57 lakh crore. Enhancing this feel-good factor, various global economic monitoring agencies, including the United Nations’ Global Economic Monitoring Branch and renowned credit rating agency Moody’s, have given good news that India’s dominance in the economy will continue for the next five years. Despite initial challenges in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine dispute, concerns about global conflicts, and reforms such as demonetization and GST, the Indian economy has been the shining aspect of the Modi government’s tenure. Since 2014, India’s economy has witnessed significant growth. Jumping from being the world’s tenth-largest economy in 2014 to now becoming the fifth-largest economy is evidence of this. In the past nine years, we have surpassed countries like Britain, France, Italy, Canada, and Brazil.

Modi’s Nine Years Of Governance

Moreover, if we look back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nine years of governance, we can experience a continuous flow of efforts in various sectors, including the economic, social, and political realms, improvements in international relations, achievements, transformations, and tackling future goals and challenges. Reaching this crucial stage, the Prime Minister himself has stated that every decision taken in the past nine years was aimed at improving the lives of the country’s people. He also emphasized that no stone will be left unturned in achieving the goals for a developed India.

Scope Of National Welfare

Undoubtedly, in the past nine years, the scope of national welfare has become much broader in accordance with the aspirations of the common people of the country. First and foremost, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the central government has fulfilled a significant and important social responsibility of making 80 crore BPL (Below Poverty Line) families self-reliant as a top priority along with “Garib Kalyan” (Welfare of the Poor) initiatives. For this purpose, the Modi government has issued a total food subsidy of Rs. 18.10 lakh crore in the past nine years, which is more than three times the subsidy of Rs. 5.16 lakh crore issued during the ten years of the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government from 2004 to 2014.

Welfare Schemes

Indeed, the welfare schemes have been a major basis for the success and popularity of the Modi government, benefiting every deprived section of society. Initiatives such as Ujjwala Yojana (Free LPG Gas Connection Scheme), Ayushman Bharat Yojana (National Health Protection Scheme), Housing Scheme, Toilet Scheme, and welfare schemes providing economic benefits to farmers have transformed the living standards of countless families. Due to the integration of millions of people into the banking system, the government’s financial assistance is now reaching them directly and comprehensively through these schemes. The combination of Jan-Dhan Yojana (Financial Inclusion Scheme) and Aadhaar-Mobile linkage has been one of the major achievements of the government in bringing the poor into the formal financial system. Currently, approximately 50 crore people have bank accounts under the Jan-Dhan Yojana. Additionally, there is also a significant number of beneficiaries under the Mudra Loan Scheme and direct benefit transfer of subsidies. As a result, a large section of our society, not only in the mainstream but also in the marginalized communities, is not only uplifted but also hopeful for a brighter future. This is a significant achievement that cannot be measured on a physical scale.

The Cleanliness Drive

The cleanliness drive can also be included in Prime Minister Modi’s transformative initiatives. Since the first day of assuming power, we have witnessed the Prime Minister’s emphasis on cleanliness, clean water, and the eradication of open defecation. As a result of this ideological revolution, after nine years, more than three lakh villages in the country have been declared open defecation free, and over 4.5 lakh villages have been connected to liquid or solid waste management facilities. Similarly, the schemes launched under Jal Shakti (Water Power) have not only improved the availability and quality of water but have also become a financial shield for many poor families. Previously, they were forced to spend a significant portion of their earnings on medical treatment and were trapped in economic vulnerability. Furthermore, by accelerating the work on housing facilities, the Modi government has shown determination in providing a strong foundation for a better life to the struggling poor. Between 2004 and 2014, only 8.04 lakh houses were constructed for LIG (Lower Income Group) and EWS (Economically Weaker Section) beneficiaries, but from 2015 to May 2023, over 74 lakh houses have been constructed under the Prime Minister’s Housing Scheme.

The Past Nine Years

The past nine years can be called the era of public welfare and nation-building, as during this period, the country has witnessed fundamental changes in its basic structure. The expansion of national highways, expressways, the introduction of the Vande Bharat Express train in India, and the extensive expansion of the railway network, as well as initiatives like the Udaan Scheme, have transformed the country’s landscape in less than a decade. This campaign of India’s reconstruction has also witnessed the establishment of institutions such as new IITs, IIMs, and other institutions that open new avenues for youth. The number of universities in the country has seen a significant increase from 723 in 2014 to 1113 by 2023.

Additionally, over the past nine years, more than five thousand colleges have been established, which has increased access to education for students across the country.

The Abrogation Of Article 370

On the other hand, the abrogation of Article 370, the rapid progress in the construction of the Ram temple, the Kashi Vishwanath corridor, the resolution of the triple talaq issue, indigenization in the defense sector, changes in foreign policy, and India’s role as a global ambassador during the COVID-19 pandemic are some of the achievements that are not only discussed within the country but also in foreign nations. The increasing prominence of India on the world stage is evident from the respect Prime Minister Modi receives from foreign dignitaries. Starting with the Saudi Arabian Order of Abdulaziz Al Saud in 2016, this recognition has extended to countries such as Afghanistan, Palestine, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, the Maldives, Bahrain, the United States, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea.

Achievements

However, the nine-year tenure is not just a tale of sky-high achievements; it also involves ground-level challenges and tough questions. One such challenge in this journey of achievements is unemployment, an issue that has not been adequately addressed by the government. In 2014, when Prime Minister Modi assumed office, the unemployment rate was 5.4 percent. According to data from the Center for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), it had reached a high of 8.72 percent at one point. Although the unemployment rate has decreased after a decade and a half in urban areas for people aged 15 and above, it still stands at 6.8 percent.

Implementation Of The Uniform Civil Code

Another important subject is the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code throughout the country, which has been part of the BJP’s manifesto since 1989 but remains unfinished. The BJP has always emphasized that achieving gender equality in the absence of a Uniform Civil Code is dishonest, and it can protect women’s rights across all sections of society. After coming to power in 2014, the Modi government abolished Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and is currently working towards the construction of the Ram temple by following the constitutional process. The only promise remaining among these three significant commitments is the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code, for which the government is currently exploring the path and involving states. In the past year, some BJP-ruled states have taken the initiative to implement the Uniform Civil Code. Uttarakhand, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh have set up expert committees for this purpose, although progress has been limited in these states.

Elections In States

During elections in states, the issue gains more prominence. In the 2022 elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa, Manipur, Himachal Pradesh, and Gujarat, the BJP included the Uniform Civil Code in its campaign and agenda. This year, there were elections in nine states, and elections have already taken place in Tripura, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Karnataka. The BJP included the Uniform Civil Code in its election manifesto in Karnataka. Now elections are due in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Mizoram. In this context, before making any decision at the national level regarding the Uniform Civil Code, the BJP is seeking to understand the sentiments of the people and other political parties through the states. It appears that the government’s intention is to build consensus on such important issues. Undoubtedly, as the Lok Sabha elections draw closer, there will be more buzz and intensity on this matter. After a successful nine-year tenure, the electoral year may perhaps be the biggest test for the Modi government.