Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said that the 11-year tenure of the Narendra Modi-led government would be remembered as a defining era in India’s history, one that will be recorded in golden letters for its far-reaching impact on the lives of the people. Speaking at the 63rd Foundation Day celebration of Bharat Vikas Parishad, a service-oriented organisation, Shah highlighted that Prime Minister Modi had uniquely advanced both development and cultural heritage without creating any conflict between the two.
He said that when historians look back at the changes in India, they will highlight the Modi government’s 11 years of governance as a transformative period. He pointed out that more than 55 crore people who previously had no access to banking services were now financially included. He also said over 15 crore people had gained access to clean drinking water, and more than 12 crore households now had toilets. Recalling his visit to a poor household in Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, Shah mentioned how a woman told him that it was after eight generations that a toilet was built in their home, a detail that, he said, some may fail to understand in its full significance for the poor.
Addressing criticism from those questioning the benefit of the Ram Temple’s construction in Ayodhya, Shah remarked that while they may not fully grasp its cultural importance, Prime Minister Modi had not only ensured its completion but had also introduced 5G technology, expanded digital payments, and brought modern conveniences to even the most grassroots sections, such as vegetable vendors. He emphasised that this balance of tradition and technological advancement is a hallmark of Modi’s leadership.
Shah reiterated the government’s success in abolishing Article 370, saying it had helped liberate Jammu and Kashmir from the grip of terrorism. He also mentioned the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act, which granted Indian citizenship to lakhs of refugees. He added that the country was now on the verge of being free from Naxalism and that the establishment of the Ministry of Cooperation was helping small farmers and rural communities find self-employment opportunities.
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He praised the government’s efforts to develop religious and cultural sites like Kashi, Ujjain, the Kartarpur corridor, and Sharda Peeth, while also expanding India’s educational infrastructure with more IITs, IIMs, and AIIMS. He said the new National Education Policy was a progressive step that not only promotes education in the mother tongue but also prepares India to lead in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. He pointed to India’s achievements in green hydrogen, drone and space technology, and the global embrace of yoga as proof that India is progressing on both traditional and modern fronts.
Speaking about the Bharat Vikas Parishad, Shah commended its long-standing commitment to public service, stating that an organisation that has remained active for 63 years could only do so because of the dedication and sacrifice of countless volunteers. He described the Parishad as a bridge between those who wish to serve and those in need of help. He lauded the volunteers for viewing service as a form of devotion and said their work has created a virtuous force in society by linking service to values and nation-building.
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Shah praised the organisation for honouring Manipur freedom fighter Nilamani Singh, who had responded to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s call in 1944 by joining the Azad Hind Fauj and donating his entire savings of ₹3,000—a significant amount at the time. After his release from prison in 1946, Singh returned to Moirang and dedicated his life to social service, education, and the cooperative movement. Shah recalled meeting youth in Manipur who spoke fluent Hindi and, when asked how, told him it was because of Nilamani Singh’s efforts. He said Singh had dedicated his life to promoting linguistic unity.
In his concluding remarks, Shah said that Bharat Vikas Parishad had built a distinct work culture that connected service with organisation, values with purpose, and purpose with national development. He expressed confidence that as India moves toward the centenary of its independence, the Parishad will continue to contribute to nation-building with even greater zeal.
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