Union Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilisers Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had changed the political narrative in India during his 12 years in office and that people, who earlier lived with a sense of hopelessness, were now enthusiastically participating in the nation's transformation.
The former national BJP president from Himachal Pradesh, Jagat Prakash Nadda, arrived in Shimla in the morning and was accorded a warm welcome by BJP leaders and workers.
Addressing a conference of intellectuals in Shimla under the Bharatiya Janata Party's "12 Years of Trust" campaign, Nadda said the 12 years of the Narendra Modi-led government would be remembered as a golden chapter in India's history. He stated that these twelve years had not merely been a government's tenure but a transformational period that had laid a strong foundation for a developed India.
Nadda said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had completed 4,399 days as the nation's "Pradhan Sevak" (Chief Servant), setting a remarkable milestone. This achievement, he said, reflected the trust, support and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians. He added that when India celebrated 75 years of Independence,
Prime Minister Modi presented the vision of Amrit Kaal and the resolve to build a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047. The groundwork for achieving that vision had been firmly established over the last twelve years. He said before 2014, Indian politics revolved around casteism, dynastic politics, appeasement and corruption.
He said citizens had accepted that governments would change, but governance would remain the same. "Prime Minister Modi changed this mindset by making politics a medium of service, accountability and good governance. Today, ordinary citizens confidently raise their voice against corruption because they trust that the government will listen to them," he said.
Nadda said Prime Minister Modi introduced the mantra of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas" (Together with All, Development for All, Trust of All and Efforts by All). "Earlier, governments were elected with the support of all but often remained confined to a particular family, region or vote bank. Today, the Modi government works for all 1.4 billion Indians," he said.
He stated that Prime Minister Modi fulfilled several long-standing national aspirations for which BJP workers had struggled for decades. The abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, the construction of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the abolition of Triple Talaq and the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) are historic decisions that previous governments avoided for political reasons.
Nadda said the Modi government had received the people's mandate for a third consecutive term. In all three Lok Sabha elections since 2014, the BJP emerged as the largest political party. Out of 75 major elections held during this period, the BJP and the NDA secured victories in 43. Today, nearly 78 per cent of India's population lives in states governed by the BJP or the NDA, reflecting the people's confidence in Prime Minister Modi's leadership and the government's welfare-oriented policies.
Highlighting achievements in infrastructure, Nadda said India had witnessed an unprecedented transformation over the last twelve years.
"Railway electrification has increased by over 200 per cent, and Himachal Pradesh has achieved 100 per cent railway electrification. National highways, tunnels, four-lane projects and modern transportation networks have dramatically changed the country's landscape.
Referring to the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, he said more than 430,000 kilometres of rural roads have been constructed across the country, including over 14,400 kilometres in Himachal Pradesh. He said this had significantly improved connectivity and integrated rural areas into the mainstream of development.
Nadda said the Ujjwala Yojana had freed millions of women from smoke-filled kitchens, with nearly 1.5 lakh families in Himachal Pradesh benefiting from LPG connections. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, tap water connections have reached millions of households across the country, while Himachal Pradesh has achieved near-universal household water coverage.
He further stated that under the Swachh Bharat Mission, more than 120 million toilets have been constructed nationwide, including nearly two lakh in Himachal Pradesh. The campaign has not only improved sanitation but also enhanced the dignity and safety of women.
He said under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, millions of poor families have received permanent homes, with more than one lakh beneficiaries in Himachal Pradesh alone.
Speaking about healthcare reforms, Nadda noted that the number of medical colleges in India has increased from around 376 in 2014 to more than 820 today. Himachal Pradesh has seen the establishment of medical colleges in Chamba, Hamirpur and Nahan, while AIIMS Bilaspur has emerged as a landmark achievement in the state's healthcare sector.
Nadda emphasised that India was rapidly moving towards self-reliance in defence production. Defence exports have increased by over 5,700 per cent, and India is now exporting defence equipment to several countries. BrahMos missiles, indigenous defence systems and advanced military technologies are symbols of India's growing strategic strength.
On national security, he said Prime Minister Modi had adopted a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism. "India is now a nation that responds decisively to terrorism. Significant improvements have also been made in former Naxal-affected regions through enhanced infrastructure, education, healthcare and development initiatives," he said.
Highlighting India's achievements in science and technology, Nadda said that the success of Chandrayaan-3, preparations for the Gaganyaan mission, growth in mobile manufacturing, semiconductor production, Digital India initiatives, Vande Bharat trains, modern airports and optical fibre connectivity reflect the confidence and capability of New India.
Focusing on Himachal Pradesh, Nadda said the Modi government has given unprecedented momentum to the state's development through investments in roads, healthcare, education and infrastructure. He said projects such as AIIMS Bilaspur, new medical colleges, expanded national highways and welfare schemes have transformed the lives of lakhs of people across the state.
He added that initiatives like Jal Jeevan Mission, Ujjwala Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana have brought meaningful improvements to the lives of families in Himachal Pradesh, ensuring better living standards and greater social security.
Nadda said India today was confident, strong and ready to play a leading role on the global stage. "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the nation is progressing steadily through the Amrit Kaal, and every BJP worker remains committed to realising the vision of a Developed India by 2047."
State BJP chief Dr Rajiv Bindal, Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, and MPs Harsh Mahajan, Sikander Kumar and Suresh Kashyap were also present on the occasion.
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