As Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government approaches the end of its term in June, it’s pertinent to trace the journey that began in 2014 to understand how it has redefined the growth trajectory of one of the world’s largest nations and introduced a governance model focused on welfare, sustainability, and prosperity for all. Despite persistent criticism from detractors, the truth remains undeniable: Modi’s administration has made remarkable strides for India. Let’s analyse into some major achievements of the Modi government that have defined his governance approach and has contributed enormously to India’s growth while setting the stage for the country to emerge as a major power in the years to come.
Championing Gender Inclusiveness
Since taking charge, the Narendra Modi government has prioritized women’s empowerment as a cornerstone of its governance strategy, aiming to actualize inclusive development for millions. In addition to earmarking Rs.153326.28 crore for FY 2021-22 towards programmes/schemes dedicated to women under the Gender Budget Statement, Ministry of Women and Child Development has also taken some major initiatives to reduce gender gap and foster women empowerment:
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) initiative stands as a testament to ensuring the protection, survival, and education of the girl child, while Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) have been established in Educationally Backward Blocks (EBBs) to bolster educational opportunities. Operationalizing Mahila Police Volunteers (MPV) has bridged the gap between law enforcement and women in distress, while mainstreaming gender sensitization efforts, including curriculum reforms, has been paramount. The Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK) initiative aims to empower rural women through skill development and employment opportunities. Additionally, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’s construction of millions of toilets has significantly improved health and security outcomes for women. The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, providing free LPG cylinders, particularly benefits rural women who previously relied on smoke-emitting chulhas for cooking. Moreover, the launch of the Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK) offers micro-credit at concessional terms, fostering sustainable financial independence for poor women. Mandating 33% reservation of seats in Panchayati Raj and other institutions for women, along with granting 26 weeks of maternity leave for working women, underscores the government’s unwavering commitment to women’s empowerment and their integral role in India’s progress.
Propelling Entrepreneurship
Both these are one of the first ‘Vocal for Local’ initiatives that exposed India’s manufacturing domain to the world. These sectors has the potential to not only take economic growth to a higher trajectory but also to provide employment to a large pool of our young labour force.
Make in India initiative has made significant achievements and presently focuses on 27 sectors under Make in India 2.0. Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade is coordinating action plans for manufacturing sectors, while Department of Commerce is coordinating service sectors. Startup India which has been at the forefront of efforts to build a strong eco-system for nurturing innovation and startups in the country to drive sustainable economic growth and generate large scale employment opportunities has been scaling new heights each year. Government of India has established a Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) with corpus of Rs. 10,000 crores, to meet the funding needs of startups.
Rural Development
The Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan (GKRA) was launched on 20th June 2020, for a period of 125 days, with resource envelop of Rs. 50,000 crore to boost employment and livelihood opportunities for migrant workers returning to villages and similarly affected citizens in rural area.
The ‘Garib Kalyan Abhiyan’ emphasises creating lasting rural infrastructure and offering modern amenities such as internet access in villages. As per the Ministry of Rural Development, the government is also prioritizing education, skill development, financial inclusion, water conservation, healthcare, electricity, housing, sanitation, waste management, road connectivity, internet access, LPG distribution, direct benefit transfers, elderly welfare, sports, and fostering non-agricultural ventures in rural areas to foster self-reliance and curb mass migration to urban centers.
Skilling the Future
Amidst the rapid shift from traditional classroom learning to a digital landscape, numerous scientific and technological breakthroughs have taken center stage.
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is poised to be a landmark initiative, aiming to address the country’s evolving developmental needs. It proposes a comprehensive overhaul of the educational framework, including governance and regulation, to align with the aspirational goals of the new era in education. Since its inception, concerted efforts have been underway to fulfill NEP’s objectives of enhancing access, equity, inclusion, and quality in education, especially in fostering interdisciplinary skills and knowledge among students across different educational levels.
Smart Cities Mission
The Smart Cities Mission was launched in 2015 to “promote cities that provide core infrastructure and decent quality of life to citizens, clean and sustainable environment through application of smart solutions. About 6.271 projects worth Rs 1.16 lakh crore have been implemented under the Smart Cities Mission across the 100 selected cities for the mega-project of the Central government. It has been pivotal in driving economic growth and quality of life – a step towards smart India. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a proactive approach has been adopted by the government and a paradigm shift took place in the healthcare sector. A new approach to health and wellness became the core of health sector governance rather than just treating the sick persons.
Out of many health schemes launched, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), is the world’s largest health assurance scheme.The government has provided health coverage up to Rs 5 Lakh per family per year to around 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families. The total number of Ayushman Cards issued till date is 21.24 Cr and the total number of Hospitals Admissions is 4.22 Cr.
Conclusion
The transformative impact of the Modi government on India cannot be overstated. Through initiatives like the Garib Kalyan Abhiyan and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the government has revolutionized the nation, significantly improving the lives of its citizens. These schemes have played a pivotal role in fostering development across various sectors, ranging from rural infrastructure and education to healthcare and financial inclusion.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India has emerged as a global player, garnering recognition on the international stage. The government’s commitment to serving the people has earned it widespread acclaim, establishing a sense of trust and confidence among the populace.
It is imperative to acknowledge the tireless efforts of the government in implementing these schemes effectively. Despite facing challenges, the government has demonstrated a steadfast determination to realize its vision of a prosperous and inclusive Bharat. Moreover, with numerous other significant schemes launched under Modi’s leadership, the trajectory of India’s progress continues to ascend, promising a brighter future for all its citizens. The Modi government has truly epitomized the essence of governance, ushering in a new era of growth and development for the nation.
Adv Sajid Yousuf Shah is a Columnist, Author and heads BJP Media Department Kashmir