Modi Marks 25 Years In Government With Call To Build Viksit Bharat

NEW DELHI-Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking 25 years in government on October 7, gave a new rallying cry of “We will do it” as he sought to galvanize the nation towards achieving the goals of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Addressing the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Sabha in New Delhi, Modi said the occasion was not merely about looking back at the past but about drawing fresh strength to pursue the country’s future goals.

“Today is not just a day for memories; it is a day to fill our resolutions with new energy. It is a day to reiterate that promise, to express that determination which says, ‘We will do it! We will do it! We will do it!’” the Prime Minister said.

He then listed several national aspirations, including making India a developed country by 2047, becoming one of the world’s top three economies, building an Atmanirbhar Bharat, emerging as a global manufacturing hub, hosting the Olympics and taking another step into space.

“Viksit Bharat by 2047 — we will do it! Say it with me! Top three economy — we will do it! Atmanirbhar Bharat — we will do it! Global manufacturing hub — we will do it! Hosting the Olympics — we will do it! Taking a step into space — we will do it!” he said.

The Prime Minister said that when his 25 years of public service and leadership are assessed, the focus should not be merely on his own journey but on the progress India had made during this period.

Recalling his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat, Modi said he had always viewed the state’s development as integral to the country’s overall development.

He said he made that faith in the people his strength and involved citizens in decision-making, policy formulation and implementation.

Taking a swipe at governments that were in power before 2014, Modi described the situation he inherited when he became Prime Minister as one in which the country was “immersed in despair and disappointment”, with citizens looking for a fresh direction.

Referring to the economic situation at the time, Modi said India’s global standing had come under severe scrutiny and a sense of pessimism had taken hold.

“Regarding India’s economy, the world had started saying, ‘It’s a lost cause’. There was no growth to be seen anywhere, inflation was touching the sky, and a country immersed in despair and disappointment once again needed a new sense of confidence,” he said.

Modi said he responded by relying on the collective strength of the people and seeking to build confidence through their participation.

“I did what I knew best. I called upon the collective strength of crores of Indians and once again told them, ‘We will do it!’” he added.

Citing agriculture as another example of change, Modi said the decade from 2015 to 2025 had recorded the highest consistent agricultural growth since Independence. “The decade from 2015 to 2025 has broken all records for agricultural growth,” he said.

He said his government had worked towards saturation, meaning every eligible beneficiary is covered and no rightful beneficiary is left behind or deprived of benefits.

“This is saturation, and this is the real story of change,” he added.

“There is no reason for India to stop now. And friends, I am talking about 100 years ago, when we were less than 40 crore people. Today, we are more than 140 crores. Together, the 140 crore citizens of India will build a Viksit Bharat by 2047, and we certainly will! We will do it!” Modi said.

He also remembered Indian flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, who is being praised for his bravery, and said that just as Indian pilots are being discussed globally, the world will one day talk about planes made in India.

“Today, India’s pilot is being discussed across the world. One day will also come when, just as India’s pilots are being discussed today, the world will talk about Made in India planes.”

Modi said achieving these goals would require visionary policies and sustained effort.

“These goals will be achieved only when we formulate visionary policies in the present and also put in the utmost effort. Our country has problems, but we also have 140 crore solutions. Now is not the time to rest. This is the time to move forward with enthusiasm and dedicate ourselves to the country,” he said.

“Every crisis has been a test of my patience, every success has deepened my sense of responsibility, and every achievement has given me the courage and determination to move towards bigger goals…Today, I can say that no event in my life has been in vain. Every event has taught me something,” he said, amid chants of ‘Modi-Modi’. (IANS)