Prime Minister Narendra Modi is completing 25 years of public service, beginning with his tenure as the Chief Minister of Gujarat and continuing through his responsibilities as the Prime Minister of India. He took oath as the Chief Minister of Gujarat on 7 October 2001. Since Independence, several leaders in the country have served for extended periods as Chief Ministers or Prime Ministers. The first Prime Minister of independent India, Jawaharlal Nehru, served as Prime Minister for 16 years and 286 days. Pawan Kumar Chamling served as the Chief Minister of Sikkim for 24 years and 165 days, while Naveen Patnaik served as the Chief Minister of Odisha for 24 years and 98 days. In comparison, Narendra Modi is set to become the first leader in the country to complete 25 years on 7 October while serving both as a Chief Minister and as Prime Minister, spanning the two highest levels of elected executive responsibility in the country.
Born in Vadnagar, Gujarat, and coming from a humble and economically modest family, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has gone on to influence the political landscape of India and the wider world. His journey has been shaped by public participation, a commitment to service, cultural renewal, and high standards of public life. Despite receiving substantial public support, he has also faced intense political opposition throughout his journey. His public life began with his decision to leave home for social and organisational work, followed by his participation in the 1974 Gujarat student movement and his underground activities during the Emergency, when he worked to mobilise public awareness in opposition to the Emergency. Inspired by this journey of service, the leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party has decided to organise a nationwide “Seva Sankalp Abhiyan” from 17 September, Narendra Modi’s birthday, to 17 October. The campaign aims to inspire and encourage people across society to make a commitment to public service and social welfare.
All developed countries in the world have placed before their people the goal of making their nation great and have called upon their citizens to work toward achieving it. The United States’ Great Society initiative, aimed at eradicating poverty and promoting racial equality, and China’s declared Two Centenary Goals are wellknown examples. In our country, because the previous political leadership did not place any such national goal before the people, we have been living a life without a clear sense of purpose, constrained by numerous limitations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has placed before everyone an inspiring national goal: to transform our country into a “Developed India” by the time we celebrate 100 years of independence. Built around nine dimensions, ranging from the eradication of poverty to self-reliance, this goal has now become the shared aspiration of 1.4 billion Indians. The entire world is well aware of the conflicts among economic imperialist powers today. We are also witnessing various forms of warfare, the consequences of which are being felt by the global economy as well. Amidst these conflicts, there is a risk that the vision of a “Developed India” may remain merely a slogan.
To ensure that this goal is achieved, Modi Ji, like a visionary leader, has given all of us Indian citizens the mantra of self-reliance. To achieve the goal of a Developed India, several initiatives are noteworthy. One such example is the startup ecosystem, which has established itself as a strong network in 2025–26. At present, India has 14,000 startups, including 120 unicorns—an achievement described as a world record—and these startups are providing employment to approximately 2.7 million young people. India’s digital payment system, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), established to facilitate financial transactions, is now being used in 11 countries around the world. Through UPI, transactions worth Rs 314 lakh crore were carried out in 2025–26. The defence sector has also set new benchmarks in the manufacture of defence products through indigenous technology and selfreliance.
We have exported defence products worth Rs 38,424 crore to approximately 100 countries. India has now transformed from a country that merely purchases defence equipment into a country that also exports it. With the vision of developing our infrastructure on par with that of the developed countries of the world, we have undertaken historic and bold initiatives toward achieving this objective. Today, India has 5,364 kilometres of high-speed corridors and has achieved 99% electrification of its railway network. India is witnessing a widespread network of rapid transit systems, hydrogen trains, and metro rail. Very soon, we will also see the dream of the bullet train becoming a reality. We have the world’s largest arch bridge—the Chenab Rail Bridge. Seven of India’s seaports have secured a place among the world’s top 100 seaports. Today, our trains, railway stations, airports, seaports, and highways are increasingly demonstrating their ability to compete with global standards.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has, through his speeches and decisions, called upon India’s young generation to become one that harnesses science and technology for the development of a Developed India. On 23 August 2023, with the successful landing of Chandrayaan on the Moon’s southern polar region, India became the first country to achieve this feat. We have also successfully completed the Aditya-L1 mission, developed using indigenous technology, for the study of the Sun. The development of indigenous launch capabilities to carry humans into space through the Gaganyaan mission is another commendable initiative by ISRO. Through the GSLV-F17–EOS-05 satellite, popularly known as an “eye in the sky,” we are becoming increasingly capable of obtaining information about natural disasters and strengthening our efforts in development and security. At present, around 440 space startups are also operating in our country. For the Quantum Mission, we have allocated a budget of Rs 6,003.65 crore.
We are now manufacturing semiconductors indigenously. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said, we are working toward manufacturing everything in India, “from chip to ship.” In the past, we remained dependent on the rest of the world because we did not undertake sufficient research. Today, our budget for research has reached Rs 2,44,798 crore. We are committed to the systematic and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). At the India AI Impact Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the call for “AI for All.” Warning against AI becoming harmful to society, he also called for AI to be disciplined through the concept of “MANAV.” Over the past 25 years, the entire country has witnessed the administrative capabilities of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Despite various forms of opposition, he played a significant role in bringing the Sardar Sarovar Dam project, established in 1961, to completion. The decision to implement the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is also cited as a reflection of his leadership capabilities.
The number of income-tax return filers increased from 3.8 crore in 2014 to 12.13 crore in 2023–24. As a result, the size of our economy increased from Rs 106.57 lakh crore in 2013–14 to Rs 331 lakh crore in 2025–26. Through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), the country has reportedly achieved savings of Rs 5.14 lakh crore. Our economy is rapidly moving from being the world’s fourth-largest economy toward becoming the third-largest. With public participation, the construction of the world’s tallest statue of Bharat Ratna Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the “War Memorial” dedicated to the memory of our martyred soldiers, and the newly constructed grand Parliament building stand as symbols of his determination and strong resolve . Through our foreign policy, we have enhanced India’s prestige and standing in the world. Today, people across the globe regard India as one of the respected nations of the world. Based on the principle of “India First,” we now engage in trade negotiations with both the United States and Russia, collaborate with Japan in manufacturing, compete with China, we have emerged as a voice and leader of the Global South, and in the recent BRICS Summit the resolution condemning the Pahalgam killings of our civilians in 2025 was unanimously passed .
As a result, the highest national awards of 36 countries have been conferred upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Through the G20, we have also succeeded in establishing India’s global stature and civilisational pride on the world stage. Firm and decisive action is a defining feature of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s style of governance. Decisions taken in the national interest—including the abolition of triple talaq, demonetisation, the abrogation of Article 370, air strikes, surgical strikes, Operation Sindoor, the enactment of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and efforts toward freeing the country from Naxalism—are presented as reminders of his strong determination and resolve. His dedication to the people of the country and to the organisation is one of his unparalleled qualities. He is an accomplished orator who can effectively communicate his thoughts to society, while his remarkable ability to listen patiently to the views of others is another admirable quality. It is often said in reference to him that he has not taken a single day of rest during the past 25 years, reflecting the tireless warrior within him. For this, he has worked to discipline and strengthen both his body and mind.
His emphasis on increasing women’s participation in the economy and ensuring them greater dignity, according persons with disabilities greater dignity and recognition, establishing the social dignity of transgender persons (the third gender), and his resolve to eliminate sickle-cell anaemia and make India TB-free reflect his sensitivity toward society. The American thinker James Freeman Clarke once said, “A politician thinks of the next election; a statesman thinks of the next generation.” In keeping with this principle, the decisions taken and the inspiring conduct demonstrated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to encourage greater social participation will contribute to shaping the India of the future. Initiatives such as the Swachhata Abhiyan (Cleanliness Campaign), Pariksha Pe Charcha (Discussion on Examinations), Beti Bachao–Beti Padhao (Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter), promoting India as a Wedding Destination, and interactions with sportspersons are all intended to help bring about a positive change in the attitudes and outlook of future generations.
The call for a “Nasha Mukti Abhiyan” (campaign against addiction) to keep young people free from substance abuse and healthy, along with “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” (A Tree in the Name of Mother), is a noteworthy initiative in the field of environmental conservation. With deep faith in Indian culture, he has also sought to establish India’s cultural pride on the global stage. He has described this vision as “Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi” — “Development as well as Heritage.” The repatriation of 656 artefacts symbolising India’s cultural heritage from foreign countries, the development of the Buddhist Circuit, removing obstacles to the construction of the Ram Temple, attending celebrations at gurdwaras on the commemorative occasions of Sikh Gurus and participating in langar (community meals), granting recognition to classical languages, and his presence at historic temples and religious traditions all reflect his deep reverence for India’s cultural and spiritual heritage.
Through his exemplary sensitivity and compassionate conduct, his firm and decisive actions in the national interest, his efforts to enhance India’s prestige on the global stage, his commitment to development through public participation, and his vision of shaping the India of the future, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inspired citizens across the nation to see in him the fulfilment of their aspirations. He stands as a ray of hope for 1.4 billion Indians. His journey from Nara Seva— service to humanity—to Narayana Seva—service to the Divine through service to humanity—is a journey from the “individual to the infinite,” from a single point to something truly vast and universal. In fulfilling the national goal he has set before us—the vision of a “Viksit Bharat”—we too must resolve to become active participants in this transformative journey and contribute to turning this vision into reality.
*Shivprakash is the National Joint General Secretary (Organisation) of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
