Glorious 11 years: Civilisation Course Correction

India we see today is far beyond what many imagined in 2014, when the nation placed its trust in Narendra Modi’s leadership. Dejected and disheartened by the flurry of corruption cases, policy paralysis, lack of national security or a cohesive vision for the future, people of India put their faith in the proven track record of Modi and his commitment to give India what it deserved. A clean, transparent Government, that rose above vote bank considerations.

This alternative shifted India’s governance from short-sighted, politics-driven, and bereft of accountability to a long-term, policy-driven, targeted-delivery, action-oriented governance model. And the national consciousness rose to the occasion. Eleven years later, the results are for all to see.

India has unshackled itself from the weight of historical baggage, tackled long-standing, complex challenges head-on, and carved out a fresh path for its youth to take the nation forward.

With the wall of Article 370 shattered, Jammu and Kashmir is finally healing. Tourism is booming. Youth are seeking opportunities to build their future, and infrastructure development is happening at a rapid pace. For the first time since independence, the Kashmir Valley has been connected to the rest of India by rail. The Chenab Bridge, standing taller than the Eiffel Tower, showcases the ingenuity of Indian engineering. It is now the new identity of J&K.

All this happened without bloodshed

And then came the moment that touched the soul of a billion Indians. For centuries, Hindus across the world awaited the return of Ram Lalla to his birthplace. When the moment approached, many tried to stoke fear, warning that India would burn, that violence was inevitable. But the Government resisted pressure from vested interests and allowed the judiciary to take its own course, firmly and independently. And when the verdict finally came, it was accepted gracefully by all sides. What followed was the grand Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya, something we never imagined we would witness in our lifetime.

Another major shift has been the movement from a politics of scarcity to a politics of saturation. Resources are no longer rationed to certain vote banks, they are delivered to all who need them most.

The results are extraordinary

In the last 11 years, over 12 crore toilets have been built. More than 10 crore households have received LPG connections. Over 4 crore homes have been constructed. More than 60 crore Ayushman Bharat cards have been distributed.

These initiatives of the Modi Government have assured security, dignity and access to health to crores of Indians. Conditions that once pushed the poor into generational poverty have been systematically addressed and reversed. As a result, more than 25 crore in just 11 years have successfully beaten poverty. According to the  World Bank, India witnessed a significant decline in extreme poverty, dropping from 27.1 per cent in 2011-12 to 5.3 per cent. The way PM Modi has tackled poverty proves that such chronic problems are not India’s legacy. They are challenges of leadership, intent, and will.

India’s digital revolution has further transformed governance. E-governance platforms now bring essential services-land records, tax filings, education, and grievance redressal-right to citizens’ fingertips.

Digital India has set off a fin-tech revolution. We have more than 55 crore new bank accounts under Jan Dhan Yojana. This number is more than the population of entire European Union. With UPI, India is dominating global digital payments. In fact, every second digital transaction in the world is happening in India.

From the days of 2G scams, today India is the fastest nation in the world to adopt 5G. It has surpassed even the developed world.

India has also made giant strides in defence. From waiting on life jackets, we are now manufacturing and exporting defence equipment to over 100 countries.

The commitment to building a self-reliant defense industry is evident in initiatives like the Defence Acquisition Procedure and the Defence Production Corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. These corridors have encouraged domestic manufacturers, start-ups, and global companies to invest in defense production within India.

Major milestones like the commissioning of INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier, reflect the strengthening of the Navy’s blue-water capabilities. Alongside, platforms like the Light Combat Aircraft ‘Tejas’, the Akash missile systems, and DRDO-developed equipment have provided the armed forces with cutting-edge technology.

Moreover, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has accelerated the pace of construction in difficult terrains, especially in areas bordering China and Pakistan. Roads, tunnels, and bridges in strategic areas like Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, and the Northeast not only serve military purposes but also integrate isolated regions into the national fold.

When it comes to national security, we’ve drawn a new line. Gone are the days of empty condemnations and diplomatic appeals. Now, we strike deep inside enemy territory, take down terror camps and tell the world exactly when and how we did it.

We’ve shown that terror has a cost and it’s swift, precise, and disproportionate.

Infrastructure has seen a historic leap. Road networks have doubled. The number of airports has surged. Indian Railways is nearing complete electrification. Vande Bharat trains have redefined rail travel. Remote towns and villages now have access to markets across India, fuelling the startup boom in Tier 2 and 3 cities and not just metros.

In every sector, the change is visible. India has picked up the scattered fragments of post-Independence history and pieced them together to rebuild itself as a confident, civilisational power.

Infrastructure has seen a historic leap. Road networks have doubled. The number of airports has surged. Indian Railways is nearing complete electrification. Vande Bharat trains have redefined rail travel. Remote towns and villages now have access to markets across India, fuelling the startup boom in Tier 2 and 3 cities and not just metros.

Development is reaching every corner

As a result, India has risen from the 11th largest economy in 2014 to the 4th largest in 2025. In just 11 years, India received 70 per cent of the total FDI it attracted over the past 25 years. Global businesses see India as a stable, democratic, and scalable alternative in a fractured global economy. With our youth power, robust infrastructure, and leadership in tech, India is where the future is being built.

Even in climate leadership, India has stepped up. Renewable energy capacity has seen exponential growth, with solar energy playing a central role. PM Surya Ghar Yojana has received tremendous response. Within two years, 52 lakh households have enrolled. Delhi assembly too is going to go fully solar in July this year.

The International Solar Alliance, led by India, has garnered global participation. At the same time, schemes like Ujjwala Yojana have distributed LPG connections to over 9 crore women, drastically reducing indoor pollution and improving health outcomes.

Electric mobility has been encouraged under the FAME scheme, and the country’s growing focus on green hydrogen, ethanol blending, and sustainable urban development indicates a strong commitment to long-term environmental health.

The world is realising that it is indeed India’s century

If these 11 years have shown us something is that India is capable of anything it puts its collective mind to. No hurdle is big enough, no threat in the world could halt its rise. It has also made us realise that more we are closer to our roots, higher is our jump to our future.

India cannot stopWhat we’ve achieved is historic. But what lies ahead, till 2047, will lay the foundation for the next 1000 years. From space to startups, from digital to defence, India is no longer a spectator to a changing world. We are the force driving it.

(The write is Speaker of Delhi Legislative Assembly)