“Today, the cost of one GB of wireless data in India is less than the price of a cup of tea — and as someone who often uses the tea analogy, I say this with pride. India now ranks among the top nations in data consumption. This shows that digital connectivity here is no longer a luxury, it is a way of life for every Indian," PM Modi said at India Mobile Congress, October 2025.

Digital India was unthinkable as an idea eleven years ago. Today, India is home to over 940 million broadband connections, thanks to the formidable digital infrastructure built under Prime Minister Modi’s aegis. India’s digital revolution is just one of the many firsts to Modi’s credit, where governance has made ease of living a reality.

Good governance has been part of the Modi template for decades now and it started on October 7, 2001, when Narendra Modi took oath as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, marking the beginning of an unprecedented chapter in Indian polity.

Born on September 17, 1950, in Vadnagar in Gujarat, Modi’s early life was steeped in challenges which shaped both his humility and resolute character. From helping his father sell tea at the Vadnagar railway station to rising through the ranks of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as a dedicated pracharak, his journey embodies fortitude and perseverance. His entry into public office came at a pivotal moment for Gujarat, which had been devastated by a massive earthquake in 2000.

Over the next 13 plus years, Modi transformed the State into a model of inclusive development, earning widespread acclaim. He dived headlong onto the national stage with the dexterity of an astute politician who had earned his stripes, where he was sworn in as India’s 14th Prime Minister on May 26, 2014.

Today, in October 2025, in his third consecutive term, Modi stands tall as a global powerhouse, having led India to remarkable socio-economic milestones, despite geopolitical headwinds.

When Modi assumed office in 2001, Gujarat was reeling from the Bhuj earthquake that claimed over 20,000 lives and caused untold misery. Unfazed, Modi launched a swift and effective rehabilitation programme, rebuilding infrastructure including roads, bridges, and homes rose from the rubble, showcasing his ability to rally resources and people during crises. This hands-on approach not only restored normalcy but also instilled confidence in the State’s future.

The economic resurrection of Gujarat became Modi’s calling card. Gujarat’s economy, stagnant at a modest 5% growth prior to 2001, surged under his dynamic leadership, post 2001. He introduced the “Jyotigram Yojana" in 2003, ensuring 24-hour electricity to villages—a first in India. This initiative boosted farm productivity by enabling irrigation pumps to run efficiently, leading to a 10.97% agricultural growth rate between 2001 and 2010, the highest among all States. Farmers diversified into multi-cropping and dairy farming, with milk production doubling during his tenure. Poverty rates plummeted. Modi’s foresight extended to water conservation, a critical need in the arid State.

The “Jal Mandir Abhiyan" in Gujarat restored over 1200 traditional water bodies, combating droughts and floods through innovative check dams and river-linking projects. These efforts were internationally lauded, positioning Gujarat as a leader in sustainable resource management. Social welfare was also prioritised. The “Mukhyamantri Amrutam Yojana" (MA Amrutam) provided free health insurance to over 1.5 crore people, covering critical illnesses and reducing out-of-pocket expenses. Education saw reforms like the “Gunotsav" programme, which improved school quality through community involvement, raising literacy rates and student performance. Women’s empowerment initiatives, such as Mission Mangalam, promoted self-help groups (SHGs), enabling........

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