Prime Minister Narendra Modi marks 23 years in public office on Monday, a period characterised by numerous ambitious schemes and initiatives credited with driving transformative change, first in Gujarat and later across India. His efforts have particularly impacted economic reform, sanitation, infrastructure, and environmental conservation.
During his tenure, Modi has emphasised citizen engagement as crucial for progress, a philosophy he refers to as Jan Bhagidari—engaging citizens in governance to turn development initiatives into mass movements or Jan Andolan. This principle enabled him to initiate significant changes in Gujarat, a state previously burdened by severe water scarcity and power shortages, before extending his influence nationwide as India faced a technological revolution amidst global conflicts, a pandemic, and trade disruptions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (ANI)
Modi’s rise to national leadership was built on the successes of his time in Gujarat, where he implemented a series of reforms known as the ‘Gujarat Model.’ This strategy, centred on infrastructure development, investor-friendly policies, and efficient governance, has informed his national agenda.
A key aspect of Modi's legacy in Gujarat is the Sujalam Sufalam Yojana, an extensive water management project that transformed the state from water-scarce to water-surplus. This initiative served as a precursor to the national Jal Jeevan Mission, aiming to provide tap water connections to all rural households by 2024. Additionally, the Jyotigram Yojana, which ensured 24-hour electricity for all 18,000 villages in Gujarat, became a model for the national Saubhagya Scheme, which focuses on universal household electrification.
As Prime Minister, Modi, who turned 74 last month, has vigorously promoted digital transformation and technological advancement, emphasizing manufacturing and self-reliance (Aatmanirbharta), prioritizing rural development and farmers’ welfare, and advocating for water conservation along with public health and sanitation initiatives.
Notable economic reforms during his tenure include the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 2017, which established a ‘One Nation, One Tax’ framework that simplified India’s complex tax system, albeit not without challenges. The ‘Make in India’ initiative, launched in 2014, aimed to position India as a global manufacturing hub, contributing to increased foreign direct investment (FDI) and improved ease of doing business rankings, despite mixed outcomes.
In response to the economic hurdles posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Modi launched the Atma Nirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) campaign in 2020. This initiative, along with Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes for 14 key sectors, aims to enhance domestic manufacturing and reduce import dependence. The government has committed ₹1.97 lakh crore to support these objectives, contributing to India’s economic growth, reflected in rising GDP and record FDI levels.
The Digital India mission has expanded internet access and digital literacy across the country. The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has transformed digital transactions, positioning India as a leader in real-time payments and offering payment methods to several Global South nations without reliance on multinational payment processors. Digital India has also been instrumental in financial inclusion, with the PM Jan Dhan Yojana leading to the opening of 533 million bank accounts. Consequently, the poverty rate in India dropped from 55.1% in 2005 to 16.4% in 2021, lifting 415 million people out of poverty.
The digital push includes the StartUp India initiative, which has fostered a dynamic startup ecosystem, recognizing over 140,000 entities and creating more than 1.5 million direct jobs.
Sanitation has also been a major focus for Modi, with the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, a nationwide cleanliness campaign inspired by the Nirmal Gujarat initiative. This effort has reportedly led to the construction of over 116.8 million household toilets, with the government declaring all Indian villages open defecation-free.
Rural development has advanced significantly with the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi supporting 110 million farmers and the Jal Jeevan Mission providing tap water to nearly 78% of rural households.
Modi’s governance philosophy of “Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi” (Development as well as Heritage) aims to balance cultural preservation with modern advancement. Projects like the restoration of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, the construction of the Ram Mandir, and the return of over 640 artefacts to India during Modi’s tenure exemplify this focus.
On the environmental front, initiatives like Van Mahotsav and Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam promote tree planting and conservation, with the latter resulting in the planting of 800 million seedlings nationwide. Internationally, Modi introduced the Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) movement at COP26, urging individuals and communities to adopt sustainable practices to combat climate change.
The Jan Bhagidari approach remains a core aspect of Modi’s initiatives, with the Prime Minister introducing various slogans to inspire the populace. He often emphasises “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Aur Sabka Prayas” (Everyone’s support, everyone’s development, everyone’s trust, and everyone’s effort), advocates for “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance,” and insists on the need to “Reform, Perform & Transform,” all while envisioning “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” (One India, Great India).
Governance reforms have included repealing over 1,200 outdated laws and reducing 39,000 compliance requirements to streamline administration. Early slogans like “Swachh Bharat (Clean India)” and “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” (Save the girl child, educate the girl child) have set the tone for Modi's agenda.
Currently, Modi promotes the slogan “Viksit Bharat” to express his vision for the country’s future, setting long-term goals for development and an enhanced global standing. This vision aligns with India completing its centenary as an independent nation in 2047, a period when Modi aspires for the country to achieve developed nation status.
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