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News18
a day ago
- Politics
- News18
A Decade Of Dedication: PM Modi's Journey As Pradhan Sevak Aiming For Development
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has united the dreams of 140 crore Indians into a nation that radiates hope and progress As we mark 11 years of Seva, Sushasan, and Garib Kalyan under the leadership of Shri Narendra Modi, I am reminded of a timeless teaching from the Bhagavad Gita, where Lord Krishna imparts to Arjuna the essence of true leadership: ' न हि कश्चित्क्षणमपि जातु तिष्ठत्यकर्मकृत् " (Chapter 3, Verse 5)—no one can remain inactive even for a moment, for action is inevitable. Yet, the Gita also teaches us that the highest form of action is selfless service, where a leader becomes a servant to the greater good, placing the welfare of others above personal gain. This resonates deeply with the profound truth that 'service is the true responsibility" echoed by our Prime Minister. I see this ideal of a servant leader – 'A Karma Yogi" in our Prime Minister, who has dedicated every moment to the service of the nation, embodying Seva (service), Sushasan (good governance), and Garib Kalyan (welfare of the poor). As the Member of Parliament from Vadodara, a city that has witnessed your vision firsthand, I am honored to reflect on the PM's unparalleled contributions and their impact on our constituency, state and the nation at large. LEADERSHIP AS THE CHIEF MINISTER OF GUJARAT The journey of our Prime Minister is deeply inspiring because he has not merely seen garibi (poverty) through someone else's eyes, but he has felt it first hand. Born into a humble family in Vadnagar, Gujarat, he experienced the struggles of the poor. This intimate connection with poverty has shaped his vision, ensuring that every policy crafted by him addresses the lived realities of the marginalised. The utmost respect for the Constitution of India has been a guiding light throughout his leadership. When Narendra Modi was Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2010, he organised the Samvidhan Gaurav Yatra in Surendranagar to mark 60 years of the Constitution. A replica of the Constitution was placed on an elephant, and the procession covered parts of the city. I recall how our Prime Minister walked in that procession, which was a unique tribute to the document that unites our nation. After becoming the Prime Minister, he further honoured this legacy by declaring November 26 as Constitution Day. This initiative has fostered a deeper understanding of constitutional values among citizens, ensuring that Sushasan remains rooted in justice and equality. Modi positioned Gujarat as an investor-friendly state. The Vibrant Gujarat Summit became a platform to attract global investments. The summit had garnered billions in commitments, transforming the state into an industrial powerhouse. The PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) portal is a testament to the vision for transparent and efficient governance, a concept rooted in the PM's Gujarat tenure. As the CM, he introduced digital monitoring systems like the SWAGAT program to address grievances, a precursor to PRAGATI. Nationally, PRAGATI has tracked projects worth over Rs 20.64 lakh crore, a true embodiment of Sushasan that I have witnessed transforming Gujarat and India. Since taking responsibility in 2014, Narendra Modi has brought governance to every doorstep. He has not only tackled convenient targets but also embraced challenging ones, leading as an inclusive leader rather than a boss. For instance, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan marked a historic step toward a clean future, making 95% of villages in India open-defecation-free by 2024, with over 12 crore toilets built by 2025, where Gujarat achieved 100% coverage in all districts. These efforts have transformed lives at the grassroots level, ensuring better sanitation, reducing waterborne diseases, and empowering rural communities, particularly women, with dignity and safety. Ensuring the poor are part of the economic mainstream, the Jan Dhan Yojana paired with the JAM Trinity (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, Mobile), revolutionised financial inclusion by opening 53 crore accounts by 2025, with 55% held by women and 67% in rural/semi-urban areas in Gujarat, empowering every Indian with banking access; total deposits have crossed Rs 2.3 lakh crore, and over 37 crore RuPay cards have been issued. Before JAM, middlemen siphoned off subsidies; now, your vision has ensured transparency. For instance, schemes like PAHAL have saved thousands of crores by eliminating 3.34 crore duplicate LPG accounts, ensuring benefits reach the deserving, a true hallmark of Sushasan. The Prime Minister has ensured that every project under his leadership follows an end-to-end approach, from foundation to feedback. This includes robust implementation and corruption-free processes, which have significantly enhanced the credibility of governance. Over 4 crore pucca houses have been built under the PM Awas Yojana, giving every family a home of dignity, thereby enhancing their stability and access to better opportunities. The government has ensured food security for 81 crore people through the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, the world's largest food security scheme. Our Annadatas are the backbone of Bharat. The Centre resolved to empower them from Beej Se Bazaar Tak by ensuring their prosperity and protecting farmers from every risk. The 2025-26 agriculture budget, increased five-fold to Rs 1 lakh crore, which significantly uplifted farmers. Under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, Rs 3.7 lakh crore has been disbursed to 11 crore farmers, enabling investment in better inputs and reducing debt dependency. The PM Fasal Bima Yojana settled Rs 1.75 lakh crore in claims, offering a safety net against crop losses and encouraging modern farming practices. The Poshan Abhiyaan addresses malnutrition in children and mothers, a key issue linked to poverty. In Gujarat, the Poshan Tracker has facilitated monitoring of nutritional programmes, reaching over 1.21 crore beneficiaries till 2024. At the grassroots level, this has ensured that children and mothers in rural and tribal areas receive timely nutritional support, reducing malnutrition rates, improving health outcomes, and breaking the cycle of poverty by enabling healthier, more productive lives. Under the PM's leadership, the NDA has broadened its team, adding more voices rather than diminishing them, reflecting Modi's inclusive vision. He introduced the term 'Divyangjan" for the differently-abled, replacing 'Viklang" to honor their unique abilities. Nationally, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, increased reservation in government jobs from 3% to 4%, benefiting over 1 lakh Divyangjan annually and showcasing his commitment to their inclusion in Viksit Bharat. EDUCATION AND EMPOWERMENT The Prime Minister's focus on education has been transformative, starting from his days as the Gujarat CM. He launched Shala Praveshotsav – celebrating a child's first day at school with festivities, and Gunotsav – an educational quality assessment programme. These initiatives increased retention rates, reduced dropout rates to single digits, boosted enrollment, and improved female literacy in Gujarat. The Kanya Kelavani campaign turned a depressing environment into a festival by involving top state officers to seek people's participation for the cause of education. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, a landmark reform, has revolutionised education by emphasising skill development, mother-tongue learning, and holistic growth. AIIMS tripled to 23; 8 new IIMs, 7 new IITs, and 490 new universities were established. The development of Bharat is incomplete without the development of its Nari Shakti. The government believed in women-led development, ensuring dignity, safety, and empowerment at every stage of a woman's life. Sex ratio at birth has risen to 1,020 women per 1,000 men. The Maternal Mortality Rate declined to 80. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam guarantees 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. This has led to increased representation of women's issues and encouraged more women to contest elections. OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH AND POLITICAL INCLUSION The Prime Minister's approach toward the Yuva Shakti is inspiring. He believed in their 'Can Do' spirit, transforming them from job seekers into job creators, and has expressed, 'Don't do something just to gain status, do it to drive change and advance society." At the Red Fort, the PM expressed his vision to bring 1 lakh youth without political lineage into politics, a promise he truly fulfilled. As one of the youngest MPs from the BJP, I feel immense pride in being part of this vision. I come from a non-political background, and my journey to becoming Vadodara's MP is a testament to the PM's commitment to nurturing new leaders. He doesn't just talk—he acts, ensuring that common people like me can serve the nation, embodying Seva through political inclusion. Modi has aligned his governance with the times, understanding that today's youth are passionate about technology, gaming, and coding. Initiatives like Hackathons, Pariksha Pe Charcha, where he interacts directly with students and makes examinations a festival rather than a burden, with 2 crore students participating in 2025. BHARAT'S TECHADE Digital India connected every corner through digital payments, with UPI transactions hitting Rs 24 lakh crore, enabling even the most remote vendors and small businesses to thrive in a cashless economy, fostering financial empowerment at the grassroots. Moreover, 5G rolled out in 99.6% of districts in just 22 months and Rs 44 lakh crore transferred via the Direct Benefit Transfer system, finally cutting the middlemen and reducing corruption. The Prime Minister's vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives have not only reduced import dependency but also positioned India as a manufacturing powerhouse, aligning with the Amrit Kaal goal of Viksit Bharat. Modern railways powered by Vande Bharat trains have redefined travel, with Vadodara benefiting from faster connectivity. Chandrayaan-3 made India the first to land on the Moon's south pole in 2023, fuelling our space ambitions. GLOBAL LEADERSHIP Amid global challenges like the post-pandemic recovery, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, economic slowdown, and geopolitical tensions, India hosted the G20 Summit in 2023. The theme of India's G20 presidency is 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम्), meaning 'World is One Family'—One Earth, One Family, One Future — promoted an inclusive vision for global unity. This landmark event elevated India's global stature, showcasing its ability to lead and foster unity during a time of widespread polarisation and crises, while addressing the struggles of vulnerable sections still recovering from the pandemic. The Prime Minister's vision brought global recognition to yoga, with the United Nations declaring June 21 as International Yoga Day in 2014. As part of the delegation for Operation Sindoor, I witnessed the Indian diaspora in Muslim-majority countries like Indonesia and Malaysia preparing enthusiastically for Yoga Day 2025. VIKAS BHI, VIRASAT BHI Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has embarked on a remarkable journey to preserve its glorious heritage while fostering a modern, prosperous Bharat. World-class Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, Mahakaal project, and Ram Mandir, 12+ km long Hemkund Sahib Ropeway project in Uttarakhand, are a reality now. He has paid profound tribute to India's heroes by spearheading the creation of iconic landmarks that celebrate their legacy. Honouring our heroes through the Statue of Unity, Panchteerth, National War Memorial, and the Statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose unveiled at India Gate. NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY Modi's zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism has been a cornerstone of his national security strategy, ensuring India's sovereignty and safety. This commitment was demonstrated through decisive actions such as the surgical strikes in 2016, the Balakot air strike in 2019, and Operation Sindoor 2025. Our defence exports reached Rs 23,622 crore (34-fold rise). 75% of the capital acquisition budget is earmarked for domestic production. India's indigenously developed Helicopters 'Prachanda', missile systems Akash, and BrahMos are used by the Armed Forces to crush enemies. As a Member of Parliament, I had the privilege of witnessing this commitment firsthand during my delegation visit, where I saw the determination of our armed forces and the strategic clarity of our leadership in action. These operations not only dismantled terror networks but also boosted the morale of our security forces, demonstrating India's capability to respond swiftly and effectively to threats. The Revocation of Article 370 brought peace and progress to Jammu and Kashmir, integrating it fully into India's growth story. In his era, one remarkable aspect we have noticed is how India has leveraged its geographical location in Asia to emerge as a Vishwa Guru. During the challenging times of COVID-19, while global economies faltered, India's vaccination drive administered over 220 crore doses and aided the world via Vaccine Maitri, which supplied 30 crore+ vaccines to 100+ countries. Our economy is not just growing; it's reaching for Space. Bharat is proudly emerging as the world's fourth-largest economy. This is a testament to the focus on inclusive growth and strategic positioning in Asia. top videos View all The Garib, Yuva, Annadata, and Nari Shakti—every Indian stands as both a contributor and a beneficiary in the inspiring journey of Viksit Bharat. Like a masterful weaver crafting a luminous tapestry, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has united the dreams of 140 crore Indians into a nation that radiates hope and progress. As we progress toward Viksit Bharat, his legacy shines brightly, guiding us to a future where every heart swells with pride for Bharat Mata. Hemang Joshi is a BJP MP from Vadodara. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. tags : Narendra Modi view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 23, 2025, 19:44 IST News opinion Opinion | A Decade Of Dedication: PM Modi's Journey As Pradhan Sevak Aiming For Development Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Indian Express
02-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
In a first, Govt directs offices of ministers: Clear all files pending for over two months
Pushing to cut delays in decision-making at the top, the Cabinet Secretariat has for the first time sent letters directly to the offices of Central ministers where files have been pending for more than two months, asking them to clear the backlog at the earliest, The Indian Express has learnt. The letters were sent in the second half of June and mention the number of pending files. Until now, the pendency of files used to be reviewed at the level of joint secretary, additional secretary and secretary, and not by the offices of ministers. The Cabinet Secretariat is learnt to have been monitoring pendency at each level using the Government's E-Office digital workplace, which has around 7,000-8,000 e-files in circulation daily, of which about 2,000 go to the offices of ministers. A majority of these files pertain to inter-ministerial subjects, such as national policies and schemes. It learnt that the Cabinet Secretariat has flagged files pending at ministers' offices for 61-90 days, 91-120 days and over 180 days. At one minister's office, several dozen files were found pending, it is learnt. At another minister's office, files related to the release of funds for a state were found pending for more than six months. The move to flag pendency at this level is the latest measure taken by the NDA Government to cut bureaucratic delays. The Government has earlier launched PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) to monitor implementation of infrastructure projects. It has been described as a three-tier system that includes officials at the Prime Minister's Office, Central Government Secretaries and Chief Secretaries of states. The Prime Minister chairs a monthly meeting of PRAGATI where he interacts with Central Secretaries and Chief Secretaries through video-conferencing. This platform has helped accelerate over 340 'critical projects' since its inception in March 2015, sources said. In October 2021, the Government launched the PM GatiShakti platform to facilitate planning and decision-making on infrastructure projects. Another platform, e-SamikSha, is also being used as a real-time monitoring system for follow-ups on announcements and decisions pertaining to Central ministries. Harikishan Sharma, Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express' National Bureau, specializes in reporting on governance, policy, and data. He covers the Prime Minister's Office and pivotal central ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Rural Development, and Ministry of Jal Shakti. His work primarily revolves around reporting and policy analysis. In addition to this, he authors a weekly column titled "STATE-ISTICALLY SPEAKING," which is prominently featured on The Indian Express website. In this column, he immerses readers in narratives deeply rooted in socio-economic, political, and electoral data, providing insightful perspectives on these critical aspects of governance and society. ... Read More
Canada News.Net
27-06-2025
- Health
- Canada News.Net
PM Modi chairs 48th PRAGATI meeting, reviews key projects in Mines, Railways, and Water resources
New Delhi [India], June 25 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday chaired the 48th meeting of PRAGATI, the ICT-enabled, multi-modal platform aimed at fostering Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation, by seamlessly integrating efforts of the Central and State governments, at South Block, New Delhi. According to an official statement from the Prime Minister's Office, during the meeting, Prime Minister Modi reviewed certain critical infrastructure projects across the Mines, Railways, and Water Resources sectors. These projects, pivotal to economic growth and public welfare, were reviewed with a focus on timelines, inter-agency coordination, and issue resolution. The Prime Minister underscored that delays in project execution come at the dual cost of escalating financial outlays and denying citizens timely access to essential services and infrastructure. He urged officials, both at the Central and State levels, to adopt a results-driven approach to translate opportunity into improving lives. During a review of Prime Minister-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), the Prime Minister urged all States to accelerate the development of health infrastructure, with a special focus on Aspirational Districts, as well as remote, tribal, and border areas. He emphasized that equitable access to quality healthcare must be ensured for the poor, marginalized, and underserved populations, and called for urgent and sustained efforts to bridge existing gaps in critical health services across these regions. The Prime Minister emphasised that PM-ABHIM provides a golden opportunity to States to strengthen their primary, tertiary and specialised health infrastructure at Block, District and State level to provide quality health care and services. Prime Minister Modi reviewed exemplary practices fostering Aatmanirbharta in the defence sector, undertaken by various Ministries, Departments, and States/UTs. He lauded these initiatives for their strategic significance and their potential to spur innovation across the defence ecosystem. Underscoring their broader relevance, the Prime Minister cited the success of Operation Sindoor, executed with indigenous capabilities, as a powerful testament to India's advancing self-reliance in defence sector. Prime Minister also highlighted how the States can avail the opportunity to strengthen the ecosystem and contribute to Aatmanirbharta in defence sector. (ANI)
News18
27-06-2025
- Business
- News18
PRAGATI Push: PM Modi Calls For Speedy Infrastructure Projects Execution, Flags Delays
Last Updated: At a meeting, the PM underscored that delays in projects come at the cost of escalating financial outlays & denying citizens timely access to essential services and infrastructure. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is constantly voicing his concern over delay in execution of infrastructure projects, underlining this at the monthly review meetings of the PRAGATI mechanism where he meets senior central and state government officials. In one such meeting on Wednesday, the PM underscored that delays in project execution come at the dual cost of escalating financial outlays and denying citizens timely access to essential services and infrastructure. 'He urged officials, both at the Central and State levels, to adopt a results-driven approach to translate opportunity into improving lives," said a statement issued post the meeting. In an earlier meeting on May 28, the PM had reiterated that delay in execution of projects not only increases costs but also deprives citizens of essential services and infrastructure, as per the minutes of that meeting. 'It was urged all stakeholders to prioritise efficiency and accountability, stressing that timely delivery is critical to maximizing socio-economic outcomes," the minutes noted. In one such meeting last year, the PM had said: 'Every official in the government, at Central or State level, must be sensitised that delay in projects leads to cost escalation and also deprives the public of the intended benefits of the project." In a Parliament answer last year, the government said that from amongst 952 projects, including National Highways (NHs) projects, costing more than Rs 150 crore which were under construction in March 2024, 419 projects spilled beyond their original completion schedule, missing one or the other of the various stages of project completion up to March 2024. The government then also clarified that financial implication does not arise in every delayed project. 'If delay is not attributable to the Contractor, price escalation is paid as per contract conditions, which may or may not result in additional cost, depending upon final value of price escalation determined on actual completion of project. If delay is attributable to the Contractor, damages are imposed and there is no additional cost due to delay. The Government is taking all necessary steps for timely completion of such delayed projects," the government said in its parliament reply. First Published: June 27, 2025, 10:38 IST
New Indian Express
26-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
PM Modi chairs 48th PRAGATI session, stresses timely completion of key infrastructure projects
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday chaired the 48th PRAGATI session, where he directed officials to ensure the timely completion of projects initiated under various ministries. As the meeting progressed, the focus remained on infrastructure development across sectors such as mines, railways, water resources, and others. Sharing details about the PRAGATI session, PM Modi said in a post, "Chaired the 48th PRAGATI Session earlier this evening. Infrastructure was a key focus, with sectors like mines, railways and water resources being discussed." In the same post, he added, "Reiterated the need for timely completion of projects. Also discussed aspects relating to Prime Minister-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission and the need to further improve health infrastructure in aspirational districts, tribal and border areas." PRAGATI is an ICT-enabled, multi-modal platform aimed at fostering Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation by seamlessly integrating the efforts of Central and State governments. During the meeting, the Prime Minister reviewed several critical infrastructure projects in the Mines, Railways, and Water Resources sectors. These projects, vital to economic growth and public welfare, were assessed with a focus on deadlines, inter-agency coordination, and the resolution of issues. The Prime Minister stressed that delays in project execution come at a dual cost—escalating financial outlays and depriving citizens of timely access to essential services and infrastructure. He urged officials at both Central and State levels to adopt a results-driven approach to translate opportunities into tangible improvements in people's lives.
