PM Modi marks 25 years as head of government, says ‘I bow before people’
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday addressed the ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Sabha’ programme organised to mark 25 years of his public service, first as Gujarat chief minister and later as the country’s prime minister. People welcomed PM Modi on his arrival by showering flowers, waving BJP flags and chanting ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’.The Prime Minister attributed his political journey to the faith and support of the people, and expressed gratitude to citizens as well as his colleagues in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).Addressing the gathering in the presence of PM Modi, BJP president Nitin Nabin congratulated the prime minister on completing 25 years as head of government.Here are the top quotes:
- Today, I have completed 25 years of continuously serving as Head of Government. This is the blessing of the people. I bow before the people of the country.
- On October 7, 2001, when I took the oath as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, I had not imagined that this milestone, too, would arrive.
- The people have always chosen me to serve them. Today, I pay tribute to India’s democracy and its Constitution. I also extend my heartfelt appreciation to all the citizens participating in the ‘Seva Jyoti Yatra’. This morning I visited the Sri Vinayaka Temple to offer prayers. I prayed to the Almighty for the nation—for the 1.4 billion people of India—and for myself as well. My prayer was that the Almighty grant me the strength and capability to work for my country with even greater energy.
- Whatever I am today, wherever I stand, and in whatever role I serve, the biggest contribution belongs to the ‘janata janardhan.’ For me, the public is a manifestation of God itself. The trust of hundreds of millions of countrymen and the tireless effort of millions of party workers has been my greatest strength.
- Those who stood by me showed me power of faith, those who opposed me taught me power of democracy.
- Viksit Bharat by 2047, we will do it!
Aatmanirbhar bharat ! Global Manufacturing hub! Hosting of the Olympics! Stepping into Space! This energy and confidence are incredible. - I sincerely believe that every citizen of India has foremost claim on me. I have been a person who has lived for a mission, not my personal ambition. I have never felt alone; there are countless ‘swayamsevaks’ who are guardians of India’s cultural soul.
- I remember when I used to attend school in Vadnagar, our teacher would impart various lessons, and my name was always among those students who reached the classroom first. That eagerness to learn became an integral part of my life, and even today, I consider myself a lifelong student. I attempt to learn something new every single day. The more I learn, the greater my ability to contribute to the nation will grow. When I look back today, I am filled only with a sense of deep gratitude.
- 25 years ago, at the age of 50, I had spent my time serving tribal communities in the forests and living amidst the mountains, eventually choosing the path of organizational work within the
Bharatiya Janata Party . My political report card reflected only the work of an organizational worker. I had been involved in elections, yet I had never contested one myself. Had I desired to shine in electoral politics, I could have entered the arena long ago; but that was not my temperament. - One of the major tragedies our country has faced is that, for the sake of politics, society was divided along the lines of votes. Think about it… if water does not reach a field, who suffers? Is it only farmers from one caste who are affected? If there is no electricity, does darkness prevail only in the homes of one community? The answer to all these questions is no. If the problem is everyone’s, then the solution should also be for everyone. That is why we linked good governance with saturation. Saturation means every eligible beneficiary is covered, no deserving person is left out, no one is deprived of their rightful benefits, and no one can take away another person’s rights. That is saturation. That is the real story of change.
- Our country has problems, but we also have 140 crore solutions. This is not the time to rest. This is the time to move forward with determination and enthusiasm, to devote ourselves completely to the service of the nation. The fact that India is so young today, with such a large young population, is a tremendous opportunity given to us by history. We must not let this opportunity slip away.