Janjivan Bureau
NEW DELHI: On the first anniversary of his government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter and wrote an open letter to the nation to highlight the achievements of one year of NDA rule.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on Tuesday that world is optimistic about India and is enthusiastic about exploring the opportunities India has to offer. The Prime Minister also expressed his happiness to see India on “the fast path of development”.
Modi described himself in the letter, published as an advertisement on the front page of many national newspapers, as the people’s “Pradhan Sevak” (prime volunteer) – a play on Pradhan Mantri, the Hindi term for Prime Minister.
He said the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) had assumed office “at a time when confidence in the India story was waning” and “unabated corruption and indecisiveness had paralysed the government”. The people were “helpless against ever climbing inflation and economic insecurity”, he said.
Modi, whose Bharatiya Janata Party became the first party to secure a majority on its own in the general elections since 1984, then listed the steps taken by the government to set the country on the path of development and better governance.
“Runaway prices were immediately brought under control. The languishing economy was rejuvenated, building on stable, policy-driven proactive governance. Discretionary allotment of our precious natural resources to a chosen few was replaced with transparent auctions,” he said.
Modi said steps were taken against black money, including setting up a Special Investigation Team and passing a stringent black money law. The NDA also restored trust in the government, he said.
“Uncompromising adherence to the principle of purity, in action as well as intent, ensured a corruption-free government. Significant changes have been brought about in work culture, nurturing a combination of empathy as well as professionalism, systems as well breaking of silos,” he added.
State governments were made equal partners in national development to build the “spirit of Team India”, he said.
Modi also sought to address criticism by the opposition that his government favours powerful corporations and big businesses while ignoring the problems of the poor and farmers.
“Guided by the principle of Antyodaya, our Government is dedicated to the poor, marginalised and those left behind. We are working towards empowering them to become our soldiers in the war against poverty,” he said.
He listed the programmes launched for the poor, including building toilets in schools, setting up IITs, IIMs and AIIMS, providing vaccination cover to children launching the Swachh Bharat mission, ensuring minimum pension for labourers and enhancing support to farmers hit by natural calamities and defending their interests at the WTO.
Modi further said his government is working to ensure “24×7 power” and to connect the country through road and rail. It is also building homes for the homeless, setting up smart cities and connecting the northeast, he added.
“Friends, this is just the beginning. Our objective is to transform quality of life, infrastructure and services. Together we shall build the India of your dreams and that of our freedom fighters,” he said in the advertisement that featured a photo of the Prime Minister, clad in a cream coloured kurta, sitting at a table and writing a letter.
