By Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 25-year journey in public life, describing it as a period marked by a broader development vision, stronger infrastructure and the delivery of welfare schemes to people at the grassroots. The remarks came as Uttar Pradesh outlined a month-long series of programmes under the ‘Seva Sankalp’ campaign to mark Modi’s birthday and his 25 years in public office.
The campaign will run from September 17 to October 17, with October 7 marking 25 years since Modi began serving as Gujarat’s Chief Minister. Yogi said the programmes have been planned by the state government and associated organisations to recognise what he described as Modi’s “successful journey of 25 years” and his contribution to shaping what he called a “new India.”
Welcoming the participants on behalf of “Team UP,” Yogi said Modi’s approach to governance had consistently focused not only on formulating policies but also on implementing them effectively and ensuring that their benefits reached the intended recipients.
According to the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, this emphasis on implementation and last-mile delivery has been a defining feature of Modi’s political career. He said the impact of that approach could be seen across different sectors and at various levels of governance.
From Gujarat’s Challenges to a Development Model
Recalling Modi’s tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister, Yogi pointed to the challenges the state faced around 2001, including drought, water shortages and inadequate connectivity. He credited Modi’s government with completing the long-pending Sardar Sarovar project and expanding access to drinking water, including in villages that had previously faced severe shortages.
Yogi said these efforts, along with investment in infrastructure and technology, helped Gujarat emerge as a model that attracted attention beyond the state during Modi’s 13 years as Chief Minister.
He then linked that experience to Modi’s tenure as Prime Minister, which began on May 26, 2014. Yogi said Modi had since promoted the idea of a more developed and self-reliant India while pushing large-scale infrastructure projects and welfare initiatives.
The Chief Minister also pointed to India’s economic position as evidence of the change, saying the country had moved from being counted among the “Fragile 5” economies to becoming one of the world’s five largest economies.
Yogi further argued that India’s international standing had strengthened considerably under Modi. He noted that the Prime Minister has received major national honours from more than three dozen countries, describing the recognition as an indication of India’s growing global influence.
G20 Presidency Showcased India’s Global Reach
The successful conduct of India’s G20 presidency was another example cited by Yogi. He recalled participating in some G20-related programmes and said representatives from participating countries had praised India’s organisation and execution of the events.
In his view, the presidency demonstrated that India was increasingly capable of hosting major international engagements while presenting its own development priorities and cultural identity to the world.
Yogi also referred to the BRICS summit being held in New Delhi from September 11 to 13, describing it as another reflection of the changing position of India on the global stage.
Development Alongside Cultural Heritage
While discussing the idea of a new India, Yogi also placed emphasis on cultural heritage. He cited the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya and the organisation of the Kumbh Mela as examples of efforts to preserve and showcase India’s civilisational traditions.
He said the completion of the Ram temple at the birthplace of Lord Ram after a long historical wait represented an important moment in the country’s cultural journey. Similarly, he described the large-scale Kumbh Mela as an example of India’s ability to combine tradition, faith and large public events.
For Uttar Pradesh, Yogi said the transformation has also been visible in physical infrastructure. He pointed to the expansion of highways and other major development projects as evidence of what he termed an “unprecedented” pace of change across the state.
Through the Seva Sankalp campaign, the Uttar Pradesh government now plans to mark Modi’s 25 years in public life through a series of programmes extending over a month, placing the focus on governance, development, public service and the Prime Minister’s stated vision of a new India.
