Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 23-year journey: from transforming Gujarat to India’s global rise

In October 2001, Narendra Modi was sworn in as the CM of Gujarat for the first time. Over the past 23 years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership has been a beacon of transformation, first revitalizing Gujarat and then taking India on an unprecedented path of progress.

Today, India’s global position and its progress in digitalization, infrastructure and social welfare are a legacy of its unwavering commitment to development.

GUJARAT BEFORE 2001: A STATE IN CRISIS

In the mid-1980s, Gujarat faced an unprecedented crisis, with three successive droughts between 1985 and 1987. The situation was dire – of the 18,000 villages, 11,000 had no access to drinking water. Thousands of livestock died due to lack of grassland, and as crops declined, people began to migrate out of the state in search of better opportunities. Gujarat’s economy almost collapsed as agricultural difficulties paralyzed rural livelihoods and industries faced supply chain disruptions.

NARENDRA MODI TAKES OVER THE POSITION OF CHIEF MINISTER OF GUJARAT

In 2001, in the face of desperation and despair, Narendra Modi took over as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. His first and most urgent task was to deal with the state’s severe water shortage and revive the ruined economy. Modi launched Sujalam Sufalam Yojana, a landmark initiative focusing on water conservation and management. Under this program, an elaborate network of canals, check dams and reservoirs was built to meet the state’s water needs throughout the year. The project not only recharged the groundwater table but also ensured surplus water in Gujarat, turning around the fortunes of the state. Moreover, Modi’s emphasis on decentralized management has enabled local communities to take responsibility for water resources, laying the foundations for long-term sustainable development.

Another significant intervention was the Jyotigram Yojana, which provided 24/7 electricity to rural Gujarat. This transformed the agricultural sector, allowing farmers access to water pumps and modern machinery, while supporting small-scale industries. Modi’s leadership during this time not only resolved the immediate water and power crisis in the state but also laid the foundation for Gujarat’s economic revival.

Modi’s tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister has left an indelible mark with ambitious projects combining development with visionary governance. The Vibrant Gujarat Summit, launched in 2003, has become a platform for attracting global investments. Modi hailed Gujarat as an investor-friendly state, and by the time he left office, the summit had amassed billions in pledges, transforming the state into an industrial powerhouse.

Projects such as the Sabarmati Riverfront have turned neglected areas into thriving public spaces, stimulating both tourism and urban development. The riverfront has not only improved the city’s aesthetics, but also rejuvenated the local economy by attracting businesses, events and festivals.

INDIA BEFORE 2014: A NATION IN STATE

Before Narendra Modi took over as Prime Minister in 2014, India faced many challenges. During the UPA era, India struggled with political paralysis, high inflation and a sluggish economy. Corruption scandals such as 2G spectrum fraud and coal allocation fraud have severely undermined public confidence in the government, and economic growth has slowed significantly. Infrastructure projects were delayed, investor confidence was low, and the business environment was plagued by bureaucratic hurdles and red tape. The country was burdened by widespread poverty, and frequent electricity shortages were a major obstacle to economic growth. Quality health care was unavailable. Medical expenses were pushing millions of families deeper into poverty.

2014: MODI TAKES OATH AS PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA

When Narendra Modi became Prime Minister in 2014, he took on the monumental task of rebuilding India from scratch. One of his most far-reaching initiatives was the Digital India Mission, which aimed to transform India into a digitally empowered society. With a focus on expanding internet access, digital skills and online government services, Modi has brought millions of citizens into the digital world, making e-government more accessible and transparent.

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has revolutionized public health and sanitation across the country. This massive cleanliness drive enabled access to over 100 million toilets, declaring open villages defecation-free, improving overall health and drastically reducing diseases associated with poor sanitation.

Through Prime Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi, Modi directly addressed the plight of farmers by providing income support to 11 crore farmers. This represented a breakthrough for the Indian farming community, easing debt pressure and enabling farmers to invest in better resources for their crops.

The Prime Minister Awas Yojana has built over 4 billion homes, providing millions of Indians with safe and affordable housing. Under this initiative, housing is no longer a distant dream for India’s poor as the government’s focus on affordable and sustainable development has provided them with the means to own homes.

Healthcare in India has undergone a revolutionary change with the introduction of Ayushman Bharat, the world’s largest government-funded healthcare program. By providing free health insurance to over 50 billion citizens, Ayushman Bharat has saved millions of families from crippling medical and surgical costs by ensuring that healthcare is a fundamental right and not a privilege. For the first time since independence, public spending on health care has exceeded out-of-pocket spending, indicating massive financial assistance to millions of poor and middle-class households.

With Make in India, Modi focused on transforming India into a global manufacturing hub, boosting local industries and creating jobs. This initiative revitalized sectors such as electronics, automotive and defense production, leading to increased exports and foreign investment. In line with India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision, Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes have been launched for 14 key sectors with an investment of Rs 1.97 lakh crore (over USD 26 billion) to boost India’s manufacturing capacity and boost exports. Recently, India’s foreign exchange reserves have surged to an all-time high of $700 billion. In 2013–2014, India’s foreign exchange reserves were just under $300 billion.

India’s hosting of the G20 summit in 2023 has strengthened its position as a global leader. As the world has looked to India for guidance on economic recovery, climate action and digital transformation, Modi’s leadership has elevated the country’s global standing. India is now increasingly seen as a ‘Vishwa Bandhu’ (friend of the world), promoting global solidarity and cooperation. Examples of this include the Vaccine Maitri initiative, through which India has provided Covid-19 vaccines to over 100 countries, and the International Solar Alliance, which aims to promote renewable energy solutions around the world. Today, India’s name is supported by many nations for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. Even in a world marked by conflict, India is increasingly seen as a trusted partner and friend.

Under Prime Minister Modi, India’s infrastructure development has accelerated at an unprecedented pace. Building highways, airports and world-class railway networks is part of his commitment to transform India into a developed country. These projects not only transform the urban landscape, but also drive economic growth by improving connectivity and trade.

Prime Minister Modi has also played a key role in transforming India’s technology space, making it a global leader in technology and innovation. Under his leadership, initiatives such as Digital India, StartUp India and the rollout of 5G technology have positioned India as a growing digital economy. The Digital India initiative has led to widespread adoption of digital payments, brought millions of people online and enabled the growth of startups across the country. The introduction of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has revolutionized digital transactions, making India a global leader in real-time payments.

The government’s focus on technology-enabled governance has also boosted e-government and transparency, simplifying access to services and increasing the efficiency of public institutions. Through initiatives like the Aadhaar trinity and JAM (Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile), Modi has built the foundations of a technology-driven economy that emphasizes financial inclusion.

Compared to the UPA era, when India’s economic growth was hampered by inefficiency and lack of a solid policy framework, Prime Minister Modi has rejuvenated the Indian economy by creating a conducive business environment through reforms such as GST, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code and Ease of Doing Business initiatives. The Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat campaigns have further enhanced self-reliance by boosting local production and reducing dependence on imports. As a result, India’s GDP growth has accelerated, foreign direct investment has reached new heights, and India has become one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

In just 23 years, from transforming Gujarat to transforming India, Narendra Modi’s leadership has proven transformative. The nation has gone from struggling with crippling shortages and stagnation to being on a path to becoming a global superpower. His rule ushered in a new era of development, progress and prosperity for every citizen of India.