Introduction
India's political and economic landscape has undergone a seismic transformation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His tenure has been marked by an unwavering commitment to fulfilling promises and driving the nation's development across various fronts. From implementing sweeping reforms to empowering marginalized communities, Modi's governance has been a testament to his vision of a prosperous and inclusive India.
Rahul Gandhi’s Attack
In a scathing critique aimed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi concerning the electoral bonds controversy, Rahul Gandhi, a leader of the Congress party, asserted on Tuesday that Modi acts as a tool for India's wealthiest individuals. Gandhi accused Modi of diverting attention from genuine concerns, while stating that the INDIA bloc is striving to uphold the integrity of the Constitution.
Continuing his election campaign in the Wayanad constituency for the second day, Rahul stated,
“Modi is an instrument of India’s five or six richest persons. His job is to distract people from the real issues. Sometimes, you will see him doing pooja under the sea, sometimes he will be flying by seaplane. Sometimes he will say that he will bring the Olympics to India. He will say we are going to send a man to the Moon.”
“He never talks about the issues farmers are facing, he never talks about unemployment and rice prices. He only protects the richest people in the country. He had given Rs 16 lakh crore to the richest 25 people in the country,”
Rahul said at Mukkam in Kozhikode, which falls under the Wayanad constituency.
Referring to PM Modi’s interview with the ANI, Rahul said,
“I don’t know if you have noticed his face and eyes. He was trying to defend the biggest corruption scandal on earth: electoral bonds, through which the BJP extorted thousands of crores of rupees from business people. In small towns, there are people who extort money from people after threatening them. Every village will have such people. What these common people were doing on the streets, the Prime Minister was doing at an international level.”
Rahul Gandhi mentioned the owner of Mumbai airport facing a CBI probe.
“The CBI threatened and interrogated him. Within a month or two he sold the airport to Adani. This is how Adani got Mumbai airport. In our streets, we see people who threaten others that they will break their legs if money is not given. At the electoral bond level, the threat is much more sophisticated.”
“Officials of the ED, CBI and Income Tax will come and threaten businesspeople. After interrogation, they would say why don’t you give this to Adani. Big businessmen cannot be uncomfortable for even five minutes. Under pressure, they would give everything. This election bond has become the biggest extortion in the country,”
he added.
“There is only one big issue in this election and all other issues arise from this one issue,”
the Congress leader said.
“The RSS and the BJP are trying to destroy and change the Constitution. The Congress, UDF and INDIA bloc are trying to save the Constitution of the country. That is the central issue of this election,”
he said.
Referring to the Congress’s promise, Rahul said,
“We have to do something for the people of India. We are going to make a list of the poor people in the country and a woman member would be selected from each family. Every year, we would deposit Rs 1 lakh into her account. For jobless youths, we are going to come up with a ‘right to internship’ for all graduates in the country. All these graduates, who were rendered unemployed by Modi, will get the right to internship. They will get guaranteed work and would be paid Rs 1 lakh during the internship period,”
he said.
PM Modi’s Sweeping Reforms
Not content with just implementing what are known as the big bang reforms, the Narendra Modi administration appears set on completely revamping the Indian business landscape. While the BJP has openly expressed its desire to make India Congress-free in politics, the specific economic and business transformation sought by the Narendra Modi-led government hasn't been explicitly outlined. Nevertheless, one can discern this transformation from the government's actions and significant initiatives impacting the business sector.
GST, IBC, and the End of Crony Capitalism
One of the most significant changes orchestrated by the Modi administration is the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). Despite initial challenges, GST has revolutionized India's business landscape by integrating 29 states and 7 union territories into a unified national market. This groundbreaking reform has incentivized numerous informal and small enterprises to embrace digitalization, modernization, and expansion, paving the way for their increased contribution to India's economic growth.
Additionally, the implementation of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) has streamlined the existing framework by establishing a unified law for insolvency and bankruptcy. The IBC has empowered creditors, including SMEs and small vendors, to recover debts more effectively, promoting transparency and accountability in the corporate sector. Recognizing the stigma surrounding businesses and entrepreneurs, the Modi government has made concerted efforts to eradicate crony capitalism. By maintaining a distance from business conglomerates, refraining from granting undue favors, and allowing market forces to prevail, the administration has fostered a fairer competitive landscape, unleashing India's entrepreneurial potential.
Welfare Guaranteed: Uplifting the Underprivileged
One of the hallmarks of Prime Minister Modi's governance has been his unwavering commitment to the welfare of the underprivileged. Through flagship initiatives like the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, the government has successfully lifted 25 crore people out of multidimensional poverty and ensured free food grains for 80 crore individuals, leaving no one to sleep hungry.
The 'Housing for All' initiative under the PM Awas Yojana has provided shelter for millions, while the Jal Jeevan Mission has ensured access to clean water for over 14 crore rural households. The PM Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), the world's largest government-funded health insurance plan, has served as a crucial safety net, preventing medical emergencies from plunging the underprivileged into cycles of debt.
Empowering the Annadatas: Boosting Agriculture
Recognizing the importance of the agricultural sector, Prime Minister Modi has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to the well-being of farmers. The agriculture budget has witnessed a remarkable 300% increase since 2014-15, reaching Rs. 1.27 lakh crore for 2024-25. The PM-KISAN scheme has provided assistance to over 11 crore farmers, totaling Rs. 2.6 lakh crore.
Additionally, initiatives such as ethanol blending, uninterrupted credit access through Kisan Credit Cards, and the successful implementation of the PM Fasal Bima Yojana have established a robust safety net for farmers. The record-breaking production of millets and the integration of technology, such as e-NAM, underscore the government's dedication to agricultural growth.
Nari Shakti: Ahead & Beyond
Under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, India has embraced a strategy of fostering women-led progress. Programs like Jan Dhan Yojana have facilitated 280 million women in gaining access to bank accounts for the first time, while close to 310 million MUDRA loans have been disbursed to women. The abolition of Triple Talaq marks a pivotal moment for Muslim women's rights. Initiatives like PM Ujjwala Yojana, which has provided 10 million LPG connections, have empowered women, showcasing the government's dedication to women's rights and well-being. Efforts directed towards rural sanitation, menstrual hygiene management, and initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao contribute to fostering a more inclusive and gender-aware society.
Preserving Cultural Heritage: Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi
The Modi administration's focus extends beyond development; it also prioritizes the preservation and promotion of India's diverse cultural heritage. Initiatives such as the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, the Ujjain Mahakal Corridor, the Char Dham project, and the construction of the Shri Ram Mandir, alongside the revitalization of Ayodhya as a global spiritual hub, demonstrate this commitment. Furthermore, the government's endeavors to boost spiritual tourism through programs like PRASHAD and Swadesh Darshan, combined with the successful retrieval of 344 antiquities and the addition of 10 sites to UNESCO's World Heritage List within nine years, have reinforced India's spiritual and cultural standing.
Empowering the Amrit Peedhi: Fostering Youth Entrepreneurship
Recognizing the potential of India's young population, Prime Minister Modi has ensured their empowerment through a range of initiatives. India has now become the world's third-largest startup ecosystem, boasting over one lakh startups. The PM Mudra Yojana has facilitated credit access for 8 crore first-time youth entrepreneurs.
The establishment of 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs, along with guaranteed compensation for 1.4 crore individuals under the PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana, has empowered countless young minds, leading to a reduction in unemployment rates from 5.8% in 2018-19 to 3.2% in 2022-23. The government's focus on digital literacy, increased enrollment in higher education, and the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 underline its dedication to fostering a skilled and knowledgeable youth population.
Middle Class Emerges a Winner
Under PM Modi's leadership, India's growth narrative has been significantly influenced by the burgeoning middle class. This demographic, comprising 31% of the population in 2021-22, has been propelled by extensive infrastructure development, including a sprawling metro network and the introduction of Vande Bharat trains. Initiatives like tax exemption up to Rs. 7 lakh and measures in the housing sector, such as RERA, PM Awas Yojana, and the SWAMIH investment fund, have played pivotal roles in this ascent. The Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana has provided benefits to 60 lakh beneficiaries, while AMRUT projects worth Rs. 82,222 crore have been initiated across 500 cities and towns, further bolstering the nation's infrastructure.
Indian Economy: A Story that Inspires
India's economic journey under PM Modi's leadership has been truly impressive. Transitioning from being one of the 'Fragile Five' nations, India now stands as the fifth-largest economy globally, having attracted a record $596 billion in FDI from 2014 to 2023. The consistent revenue generation of Rs. 1.6 lakh crore per month through the Goods and Services Tax, along with the thriving MSME sector employing over 15 crore individuals, underscores India's economic revitalization.
The implementation of the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and the vigorous 'Make in India' campaign have significantly bolstered exports, which soared to $775 billion in 2022-23. Maintaining control over inflation and fortifying public sector banks are pivotal elements contributing to India's economic success narrative.
Digital India: A Model for the World
PM Modi's vision for a tech-savvy and digitally interconnected India is vividly showcased through the nation's remarkable technological and digital transformation. Key initiatives such as Digital India, BharatNet, and UPI have effectively bridged the digital gap, fostering efficiency and inclusivity. Notably, UPI's global expansion is evidenced by its adoption in countries like France, Singapore, UAE, Nepal, and Bhutan.
India's leading positions in fintech adoption and digital skills readiness underscore its rapid deployment of 5G technology. Additionally, the country's emphasis on supercomputing and digital healthcare underscores its unwavering dedication to technological progress.
Abrogation of Article 370: End of an Era of Exclusion
PM Modi has dismantled a system that deprived over 1.5 crore people in Kashmir of their rightful privileges. Between 1994 and 2004, there were over 40,000 instances of terrorism. However, under the nine-year tenure of the Modi administration, these incidents plummeted by an impressive 70% to just 2,197. Similarly, civilian casualties decreased by 72%, and security forces' fatalities dropped by 59%.
Following the revocation of Article 370, cinemas in J&K opened their doors for the first time in 30 years in 2021. Presently, four new theaters are operational, including a multiplex in Srinagar, with over 100 films being shot in the region. The abrogation has facilitated the integration of Jammu & Kashmir with the rest of the country, fostering inclusivity, catalyzing industrial growth, attracting investments, and nurturing a conducive environment for innovation. PM Modi has upheld his commitment to One Symbol, One Constitution, and One Bharat.
Bharat: A Vishwamitra in Making
Under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi, India's foreign policy has propelled the nation to unprecedented heights on the world stage. Achievements such as unanimous support for the New Delhi G20 Declaration, leadership roles in organizations like ISA and CDRI, and substantial contributions during the COVID-19 crisis (including providing over 300 million vaccines to 101 countries) underscore India's emergence as a global leader. Moreover, India's advancements in digital technology, particularly in real-time digital payment transactions, along with its consistently high global rankings across various sectors, further cement its position as a significant player in the international arena.
Conclusion
In summary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tenure has been characterized by a comprehensive and inclusive governance approach. From empowering farmers and women to driving economic growth, preserving cultural heritage, and leading on the global front, the government's endeavors have laid the groundwork for a resilient, empowered, and internationally respected India. This reflects the essence of PM Modi's assurance – that every promise made is a promise fulfilled. As India continues its journey towards progress and prosperity, the prime minister's transformative vision and unwavering commitment to the nation's development remain the guiding force, ushering in a new era of hope and opportunity for all Indians.
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