Over the past 11 years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has guided India with a visionary blend of resolve, empathy, and bold decision-making, crafting a vibrant narrative of progress that intertwines social equity, economic vitality, strategic strength, cultural revival, and a determined fight against external threats like Pakistan-based terror and internal threats like Naxalism. His hands-on leadership has addressed the aspirations of 1.4 billion citizens, propelling India to global prominence and rewriting her destiny with a legacy of transformative promise. This is a story of Bharat's remarkable odyssey, shaped by PM Modi's unwavering commitment to a new era.
This illustrious journey began in 2014 with a powerful call for dignity and health through the Swachh Bharat Mission. Launched on October 2, PM Modi personally championed this movement, inspiring millions to embrace sanitation as a collective responsibility. Under his guidance, over 120 million toilets were constructed, achieving 100% Open Defecation Free status in rural India by 2019. This triumph transformed India's public health and empowered women with safe facilities, laying the foundation for PM Modi's inclusive vision and proving that his leadership could unite a nation for progress.
Riding this momentum, PM Modi turned to technology in 2015, unveiling the Digital India initiative to bridge divides and empower citizens. His foresight in harnessing digital tools sparked a revolution, with over 1.2 billion Aadhaar cards linking people to services and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) redefining global finance by handling 50% of the world's digital transactions by volume. By extending internet access to rural heartlands, PM Modi positioned India as a digital superpower, connecting aspirations to opportunities with his relentless drive.
In 2016, PM Modi's resolve to safeguard Bharat's security reshaped its approach to external threats. Authorising surgical strikes against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, followed by the Balakot airstrike in 2019 and Operation Sindoor in 2025, he treated terrorism as an act of war, blending military precision with diplomatic efforts to isolate state sponsors. PM Modi's zero-tolerance policy strengthened India's global anti-terror stance, ensuring national security remained a cornerstone of his leadership.
Economic unity followed in 2017 with the Goods and Services Tax (GST), a bold reform PM Modi navigated through complex challenges. By unifying a fragmented tax system into a single, nationwide framework, he streamlined trade, boosted revenue-crossing ₹2 lakh crore in 2024-and fostered integration. This transformative step underscored his commitment to a cohesive, prosperous Bharat, cementing his legacy as a reformer with a vision for economic vitality.
PM Modi's compassion for the underprivileged shone brightly in 2018 with Ayushman Bharat, the world's largest government-funded healthcare scheme. Providing up to ₹5 lakh annually to over 500 million people, it slashed medical costs, while thousands of Health and Wellness Centres brought care to remote areas. Modi's personal oversight ensured this initiative became a lifeline, reflecting his deep empathy for those on society's margins.
Parallel to these efforts, PM Modi's commitment to uplifting marginalised communities unfolded through a cascade of welfare schemes from 2016 onwards. The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana housed millions, Ujjwala Yojana delivered free LPG connections to over 100 million households, and PM Kisan Samman Nidhi supported farmers with direct income. Each programme, closely monitored by PM Modi, wove inclusivity into Bharat's fabric, ensuring access to basic needs and financial stability for millions.
A historic milestone arrived in 2019 with the abrogation of Article 370, conclusively integrating Jammu and Kashmir with India. Through meticulous planning, PM Modi reorganised the region into two Union Territories, curbing separatism and spurring development. This bold act, driven by his vision of a unified nation, reinforced India's sovereignty and marked a defining moment in his tenure.
That same year, PM Modi launched the Jal Jeevan Mission, pledging piped drinking water to every rural household by 2024. His relentless focus saw over 80% of households gain access by 2025, easing the burdens of women in water-scarce regions and improving health outcomes. This initiative, like so many others, bore the hallmark of his empathy for rural Bharat's daily struggles.
In 2020, PM Modi's Atma Nirbhar Bharat vision transformed India's defence landscape. By championing indigenous production of systems like the Akash missile, BrahMos, and Tejas aircraft, and creating the Chief of Defence Staff role, he bolstered strategic deterrence. His sustained engagement with defence reforms turned India into a self-reliant military power, ready to face global challenges with confidence.
Running alongside these achievements was PM Modi's unwavering resolve to eradicate Naxalism, a mission that became a cornerstone of Home Minister Amit Shah's internal security agenda. Since 2014, the Modi government has pursued a multi-pronged strategy, combining robust security operations with development and community engagement in Naxal-affected regions. Under his direct oversight, coordinated efforts led by Home Minister Amit Shah have reduced Naxal influence by over 70% in states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha. PM Modi effectively addressed the root causes of insurgency, bringing roads, schools, and economic opportunities to the remotest areas. In 2024, he set an ambitious deadline of March 2026 for a Naxal-free India, personally reviewing progress to ensure security forces and development agencies work in tandem. This transformative approach has restored hope to once-volatile regions, reinforcing Modi's vision of a united, secure Bharat where every citizen thrives.
Connectivity, another pillar of PM Modi's legacy, reshaped Bharat's landscape from 2014 to 2025. Over 65,000 km of national highways, high-speed rail projects like the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train, and modernised airports and ports emerged under his Bharatmala and Sagarmala initiatives. His commitment to world-class infrastructure knit India closer, fuelling economic growth and regional integration, much like his efforts to connect Naxal-affected areas to mainstream development.
January 2024 marked a civilisational culmination with the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, a deeply personal fulfilment for PM Modi. Facilitated by the Supreme Court's 2019 verdict and overseen by his government, the temple's consecration symbolised a cultural resurgence, uniting millions in pride and identity. PM Modi's involvement in this historic moment underscored his commitment to Bharat's heritage as a cornerstone of her modern identity.
Under PM Narendra Modi's dynamic leadership, Bharat has crafted a remarkable narrative of modernisation, inclusivity, security, and cultural pride. From sanitation to digital empowerment, from Operation Sindoor to a Naxal-free horizon, from economic reforms to sacred milestones, his strategic foresight and relentless execution have addressed the diverse needs of a billion-plus nation. As India stands tall as a global powerhouse, PM Modi's legacy is a testament to a Bharat reborn, poised for a future of boundless possibilities.
When one looks back, one can't thank the country enough for giving one of the most decisive electoral mandates on May 16, 2014.
(Tuhin A. Sinha is a national spokesperson of BJP, besides being an author)
Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author
