New Delhi, Oct 7 (IANS) – Celebrations mark the completion of 23 years of Narendra Modi's public service, showcasing his dynamic leadership roles first as the Chief Minister of Gujarat and currently as the Prime Minister of India. Since his first appointment on October 7, 2001, Modi has been instrumental in rolling out numerous schemes aimed at enhancing socio-economic conditions, infrastructural development, and overall welfare. The BlueKraft Digital Foundation has compiled insights on 23 transformative policies initiated by Modi, which began with localized efforts in Gujarat and later transitioned to national frameworks.
The first item on the list highlights the evolution of the Nirmal Gujarat initiative, which aimed to improve sanitation within the state. This project laid the groundwork for the nationwide Swachh Bharat Mission launched by the Modi government in 2014. The latter sought to eliminate open defecation and promote cleanliness across India, transforming public health outcomes significantly.
Secondly, the Jal Mandir initiative involved the restoration of about 1,200 water bodies across Gujarat, paving the way for the Amrit Sarovar initiative, which was launched nationally on April 24, 2022, aiming to rejuvenate traditional water bodies as part of the government’s water conservation schemes.
The technological approach to infrastructure development began with the establishment of the Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG) during Modi's tenure as Chief Minister. BISAG leveraged geospatial technology and remote sensing techniques; these same principles were later expanded nationally under the Gati Shakti National Master Plan, integrating the efforts of 16 ministries for effective infrastructure management.
Electricity accessibility was greatly improved through the Jyotigram Yojana, which provided 24-hour power supply to rural areas. The success of this initiative was pivotal to the launch of the centrally run Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) initiated in 2015, which aimed to electrify rural India comprehensively.
Girl child education was another focal point, with the Kanya Kelavani Yojana emphasizing their access to education, reducing gender disparity. This scheme influenced the national Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign, which complements efforts to prevent female foeticide by ensuring the survival and education of girls across the country.
Another commendable effort was the Chiranjeevi Yojana—rich with potential for child and maternal health—which provided free medical aid to low-income families. This scheme resembles the PM Matru Vandan Yojana, established to uplift the health-seeking behavior of pregnant and lactation mothers nationwide.
The Vibrant Gujarat Summit aimed to attract global investment, leading naturally to the creation of the Make in India initiative under Modi's Prime Ministership. This helped position India as not just an investor-friendly destination, but as an aspiring manufacturing hub on the global stage.
Modi's administration also focused on river conservation, where early measures to clean the Sabarmati River set the precedent for the Namami Gange project, aimed at cleaning and conserving the Ganga River system comprehensively. These align with India's broader environmental efforts.
Aimed at improving agricultural practices, Krushi Mahotsav initiated localized training sessions for farmers, laying the groundwork for various national schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi—targeted financial aid for farmers—and programs geared toward improving agricultural infrastructure.
Sports development was catalyzed with the Khel Mahakumbh initiative launched by Modi, which now resonates with Khelo India, aiming to create a vibrant sports culture throughout the nation.
To address the pressing issues of water scarcity, the Sujalam Sufalam Yojana emerged as Gujarat's answer to agricultural water conservation. This laid the foundation for the national Jal Shakti Abhiyan.
The implementation of Mission Karm Yogi in Gujarat, aimed at enhancing the capacity of civil service members, got national recognition with the launch of the Central-level scheme, increasing governance efficiency.
Modi's push for solar energy was illustrated through initiatives like the rent-a-roof project launched back in 2010. This progressive idea paved the way for the national PM Surya Ghar Bijli Yojana, advancing renewable energy adoption.
Addressing climate change became strategic through the Gujarat Climate Change Department, which developed policies and practices for farmers involved with climate-resilient agriculture. This plan found its parallel at the national level with comprehensive climate action strategies.
Gujarat was also the first state to introduce the Soil Health Card scheme to help farmers assess their land's fertility levels effectively. The Center adopted this model nationwide under its Soil Health Card scheme initiated later.
Responding effectively to crises, such as the Uttarakhand floods, highlighted the need for disaster management methodologies. Modi's leadership ensured efficient evacuation and rescue operations, which were later echoed during national-scale crisis management efforts.
Beyond the scopes of governance reforms, Modi's interaction with students through the Pareeksha Par Charcha initiative demonstrated his commitment to educational engagement—an extension of the earlier interactions held during his time as Gujarat's Chief Minister.
Digital governance initiatives gained momentum with projects like e-Gram Vishwagram, which enhanced rural connectivity; these efforts became part of the larger Digital India initiative launched later at the national level to streamline rural e-governance.
Housing initiatives began with the Mukhya Mantri Gruh Yojana to promote affordable urban housing. This effort was solidified by the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana which promises housing for the urban poor and ensures slum-free cities.
Addressing drinking water difficulties, the Swajal Dhara scheme was established for providing accessible water supply, streamlined as every household’s right under the Har Ghar Jal Yojana, aimed to diminish water scarcity issues nationwide by 2024.
Health care reforms initiated with the Mukhyamantri Amrutam Yojana have found their significant counterpart with the Ayushman Bharat scheme, known as PM Jan Arogya Yojana, which has established itself as the world's largest health insurance program.
Last but not least, the establishment of technology-enhanced grievance redressal systems began with Modi’s SWAGAT initiative, which led to the PRAGATI system—a modern governance tool allowing real-time interaction between the Prime Minister and state officials to review progress on public welfare projects.
Today, as India reflects on Narendra Modi's extensive tenure, his legacy remains deeply rooted in transformative governance and people-centric initiatives birthed during his time governing Gujarat. With his national policies echoing their grassroots origins, Modi's influence is poised to shape India’s future as he continues to push for inclusive growth and development for all Indians.
