Viksit Bharat vision: Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel hails India’s transformative journey of growth and heritage under PM Narendra Modi

(The author is the chief minister of Gujarat Bhupendra Patel)In the 2014 general elections, the people of India entrusted Bharatiya Janata Party with an overwhelming mandate under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji.

After being sworn in as Prime Minister on May 26, 2014, he embarked on a transformative journey, placing the welfare of the people at the heart of governance and rolling out a series of inclusive, welfare-driven schemes.

Over the years, these initiatives have since transformed the lives of the poor. Under his leadership, India continues to set new benchmarks in economic and social progress. On 26 May 2025, the Prime Minister marked 11 years of devoted service; a period defined by good governance and a benevolent commitment to uplifting the poor and vulnerable.As India’s growth engine, Gujarat is advancing rapidly in industry, trade, infrastructure, healthcare, education, and tourism. The state stands poised to contribute meaningfully to the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat@2047’ envisioned by the Prime Minister. I remember, during his tenure as Chief Minister, he gave the mantra 'Desh Na Vikas Mate Gujarat No Vikas' (Gujarat’s growth for the nation’s growth). Today, that vision continues to strengthen Gujarat’s resolve to play an even greater role in fulfilling the vision of a Viksit Bharat.

Gujarat government committed to the welfare of the poorPrime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji has always prioritised the welfare of villages, the poor, and farmers. His profound understanding of the struggles faced by the marginalised drives the formulation and implementation of the schemes that genuinely uplift people from poverty. According to a recent report, over 25 crore people have risen out of poverty during the last decade of the Modi government.Inspired by his vision, we in Gujarat have worked dedicatedly to ensure the effective implementation of central government schemes.

The Gujarat government has earnestly aimed to uplift the marginalized by ensuring they receive the benefits of government schemes. True to the Prime Minister’s focus, Gujarat has consistently prioritised the development of four key pillars of GYAN: Garib (poor), Yuva (youth), Annadata (farmers), and Nari Shakti (women empowerment).

The Prime Minister has said that, in his vision, the nation is defined by four groups, the poor, youth, farmers, and women, and he remains committed to their empowerment.In Gujarat, over 8.98 lakh houses have been constructed under the urban component and more than 5.77 lakh under the rural component of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Under PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, free food grains are being provided to 3.65 crore people. Additionally, through Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, 68.68 lakh farmer families receive annual financial assistance of Rs 6,000.The Gujarat Government has built over 48,60,046 toilets, empowered 4,79,141 street vendors with loans under the PM SVANidhi Yojana, and provided more than 43 lakh free LPG connections through the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana, 1,92,98,001 bank accounts have been opened, while Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana has disbursed loans worth Rs 1,29,407 crore through 1,51,84,855 accounts.

Additionally, 3.55 lakh solar rooftop panels have been installed under PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijlee Yojana. Under Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, over 4.80 crore people (nearly 70 per cent of the state’s population) have been registered under Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA), and over 10,280 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are operational.

Thus, the Gujarat government continues to uplift the living standards of its six-and-a-half crore citizens across the state.A fresh momentum to the aspirations of the youthThe youth is India’s greatest strength, and the nation is ready to utilise the full potential of its demographic dividend. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, countless opportunities are being created to help young people transform their dreams into reality.Recognizing the tremendous potential of its youth, Gujarat has launched impactful initiatives across education, industry, and employment, achieving remarkable progress. Guided by the Prime Minister’s vision, the state has established sector-specific universities such as Gujarat Forensic Science University (GFSU), Raksha Shakti University (RSU), and the nation’s first Railway University. In 2020, the Central Government granted national importance status to these institutions, now known as the National Forensic Science University (NFSU) and Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU). Additionally, Gujarat has opened 22 new medical colleges in the past 11 years, adding 4,300 medical seats to support aspiring students.We have prioritized the development of emerging industries to increase employment opportunities for the youth. To this effect, the government launched the Gujarat State Electronics Mission to attract investments in the semiconductor sector. Due to these efforts, several leading semiconductor companies have chosen Gujarat as their destination, positioning the state as India’s emerging semiconductor hub.Heralding a new era of cultural renaissance in IndiaSince 2014, under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister, India has embraced a remarkable cultural revival. Over the past 11 years, the government has elevated Indian culture, heritage, and traditions with the guiding ethos of ‘Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi’ (Progress Alongside Heritage). Iconic projects such as the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi, and the Mahakal Lok Project in Ujjain have transformed the nation’s spiritual landscape.

Simultaneously, timeless Indian traditions like Yog and Ayurved have earned global acclaim. In Gujarat, the government has made significant investments to develop major pilgrimage sites such as Somnath, Ambaji, Pavagadh, Madhavpur, and Dwarka, while also restoring and promoting numerous smaller religious places, thereby enriching religious tourism across the state.Viksit Bharat, Sashakt BharatPrime Minister has articulated a vision to transform India into a Viksit Bharat by the centenary of independence in 2047.

He has laid the foundation for Viksit Bharat through remarkable initiatives such as ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat.’ These initiatives have propelled India swiftly towards becoming a global manufacturing hub. Today, with a GDP surpassing $4 trillion, India proudly ranks as the world’s fourth-largest economy.Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji, India has adopted a firm and uncompromising approach towards terrorism.

Through ‘Operation SINDOOR,’ the nation has sent a clear and powerful message, India will no longer remain silent in the face of terror. Every act of aggression will be met with resolute military action, reflecting the strength, clarity, and unwavering resolve of a confident and self-reliant New India.Gujarat Progressing Along the Path Shaped by the Prime Minister The government of Gujarat is unequivocally committed to following the visionary path laid out by the Prime Minister in building a Viksit Bharat.

Having personally experienced the injustice meted out to Gujarat by previous governments; Shri Narendra Modiji has not only addressed the state's rightful demands but has also showered Gujarat with several gifts.

Within just 17 days of taking oath as Prime Minister, he fulfilled the decades-old dream of crores of Gujaratis by approving the installation of gates on the Sardar Sarovar Dam.The Prime Minister has bestowed Gujarat with a series of landmark projects including the country’s first bullet train, GIFT City, and the International Financial Services Centre Authority (IFSCA). Gujarat is also home to the Statue of Unity, Rajkot Greenfield Airport, AIIMS-Rajkot, the Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project, Taranga Hill-Ambaji-Abu Road Railway Line Project, the Electric Locomotive Manufacturing Unit in Dahod, world’s largest Hybrid Renewable Energy Park, Dholera Special Investment Region, PM MITRA Park, world’s first CNG Terminal, and the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad.(The author is the chief minister of Gujarat Bhupendra Patel)