New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked 25 years of his leadership in government by thanking the people of India. He recalled taking the oath as Gujarat Chief Minister in 2001 and said his constant goal had been to improve lives and strengthen national progress.
He said his entry into office came at a challenging time. Gujarat had just faced a massive earthquake, while previous years brought a super cyclone, droughts, and political instability. These events, he said, only deepened his determination to rebuild the state with courage and hope.
Modi also shared his mother’s advice from that period — to always work for the destitute and never take a bribe. He said he promised himself to act with honesty and to serve even the last person in the queue.
Gujarat’s rise and lessons for national progress
He said many people had believed Gujarat could not recover. Farmers lacked power and water, agriculture was weak, and industries were struggling. Yet, through collective effort, Gujarat became a model of good governance and development.
The Prime Minister said the drought-prone state soon emerged as a leader in agriculture. Trade expanded into manufacturing, industries grew, and infrastructure improved rapidly. Peace, he said, replaced the frequent curfews that once troubled the state.
In 2013, Modi was chosen as the Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. He said the nation was then facing a crisis of trust and governance. The people, however, gave his alliance a strong mandate and his party a clear majority.
Over the last 11 years, he said, India has undergone remarkable change. More than 25 crore citizens have come out of poverty, and the nation is seen as a bright spot among global economies. He highlighted empowerment for women, youth, and farmers through major reforms and welfare programmes.
He added that India’s collective mood today is to become self-reliant across all sectors. The spirit of “Garv Se Kaho, Yeh Swadeshi Hai” reflects that confidence. Modi again thanked citizens, calling service to the nation the greatest honour. Guided by the Constitution, he reaffirmed his pledge to work harder for a Viksit Bharat.
He shared these reflections through a series of social media posts, recalling his 2001 oath, his mother’s advice, Gujarat’s transformation, his 2013 nomination, and the ongoing vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
On this day in 2001, I took oath as Gujarat’s Chief Minister for the first time. Thanks to the continuous blessings of my fellow Indians, I am entering my 25th year of serving as the head of a Government. My gratitude to the people of India. Through all these years, it has been… pic.twitter.com/21qoOAEC3E
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 7, 2025
