Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday thanked the people of India for entering his 25th year as the head of the government. He was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Gujarat for the first time on 7 October 2001. The then Gujarat Governor Sundar Singh Bhandari administered the oath of Chief Minister to Narendra Modi.
The Prime Minister said that he has been constantly trying to improve people’s lives and contribute to the progress of the nation.
Prime Minister Modi wrote on X, “In 2001, I was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Gujarat for the first time in 2001. Thanks to the constant blessings of my fellow Indians, I am entering the 25th year of my service as the head of the government. I express gratitude to the people of India.”
Reiterating his resolve for the development of the nation, he said, “During all these years, it has been my constant effort to improve the lives of our people and contribute to the progress of this great nation that has raised all of us.”
During his 12 -year tenure as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, he implemented several major initiatives, including the construction of a dedicated climate change department to promote sustainable solutions.
Following the disastrous earthquake in 2001, Narendra Modi focused on starting the evening courts to start measures for rebuilding, flood and drought management of Gujarat and to make justice more accessible.
The Prime Minister said that he was entrusted with the responsibility of the post of Chief Minister of Gujarat under very challenging circumstances. That year the state was struggling with a fierce earthquake and had also faced a great cycle, continuous drought and political instability in the previous years. According to the press release of the Prime Minister’s Office, he said that these challenges have further strengthened the resolve to serve people and rebuild Gujarat with new passion and hope.
While taking oath as Chief Minister, he remembers his mother’s words that he should always work for the poor and never take a bribe. He said that he had assured the people that whatever they do, he would be inspired by the vision of serving the last person standing in the queue.
Considering his tenure in Gujarat, the Prime Minister said that at that time people felt that the state would never be able to progress again. Farmers were complaining of electricity and water scarcity, agriculture was in the grip of recession and industrial development was stalled.
He said that Gujarat has become the center of good governance with collective efforts. The release further stated that this state has once been a top -performing state in agriculture, business has expanded in manufacturing and industrial capabilities, and has promoted social and physical infrastructure.
The Prime Minister said that in 2013, he was appointed as the prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, at that time the country was going through a crisis of trust and governance.
He said that the people of India have given an overwhelming majority to his alliance and gave an absolute majority to his party, which has begun the era of new confidence and purpose.
In 2014, Modi became the 14th Prime Minister of India and led the country with the vision of progress and development. Since then, he has implemented many historical initiatives, including Goods and Services Tax (GST), Digital India and Make in India.
Prime Minister Modi is currently the second longest Prime Minister of India, who has recently surpassed Indira Gandhi’s record of being Prime Minister for almost 11 years. In 2029, by the time the next general elections are held, Prime Minister Modi will complete the tenure of more than 15 years as Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister said that there have been many changes in India in the last 11 years. More than 25 crore people have been taken out of poverty and the country has emerged as a bright place among major global economies. He said that people across India, especially women power, youth power and hardworking donors have been empowered through unprecedented efforts and reforms.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India has made significant progress in infrastructure development, digital changes and economic development. His government has also started initiatives like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao and PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi to improve the lives of citizens.
He said that today the popular feeling is that India should be made self -sufficient in all regions, which is reflected in the call of ‘proudly, it is indigenous’.
Repeating his gratitude for the continuous trust and affection of the people of India, the Prime Minister said that serving the nation is the highest honor. The release further states that inspired by the values of the Constitution, he reiterated his commitment to work even more hard to realize the collective dream of a developed India.
Recently, Prime Minister Modi also led the Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms, under which tax on most goods was reduced and simplifying the tax structure, only 3 GST slabs, 5 percent and 18 percent, were placed; And 40 percent tax was levied on luxury and harmful items.
On the issue of defense, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 7 gave the armed forces “complete operational freedom” to the armed forces to attack terrorist bases in Pakistan during Operation Sindoor.