PM Modi Marks 25 Years As Head Of Govt; Shares Throwback Photos Of Oath Ceremony

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday entered his 25th year in governance and recalled the day that he took oath in 2001 as the Chief Minister of Gujarat.

He shared pictures from October 7, 2001, and wrote, "On this day in 2001, I took oath as Gujarat's Chief Minister for the first time. Thanks to the continuous blessings of my fellow Indians, I am entering my 25th year of serving as the head of a Government. My gratitude to the people of India. Through all these years, it has been my constant endeavour to improve the lives of our people and contribute to the progress of this great nation that has nurtured us all."

"It was in very testing circumstances that my Party entrusted me with the responsibility of being Gujarat CM. The state was suffering due to a massive earthquake in the same year. The preceding years had witnessed a super cyclone, successive droughts and political instability. Those challenges strengthened the resolve to serve people and rebuild Gujarat with renewed vigour and hope."

The Prime Minister remembered his mother's words on this special occasion saying that she had advised him not to take bribe and work for the needy.

PM Modi added, "When I took oath as Chief Minister, I remember my Mother telling me - I do not have much understanding of your work but I only seek two things. First, you will always work for the poor and second, you will never take a bribe. I also told people that whatever I do will be with the best intent and will be inspired by a vision to serve the very last person in the queue."

"These 25 years have been filled with many experiences. Together, we have made remarkable strides. I still recall that when I took over as CM, it was believed that Gujarat could never rise again. Common citizens, including farmers, complained about lack of power and water. Agriculture was in the doldrums and industrial growth was stagnant. From there, we all worked collectively to make Gujarat a powerhouse of good governance."

"Gujarat, a drought-prone state became a top performing state in agriculture. The culture of trading expanded into robust industrial and manufacturing capacities. Regular curfews became a thing of the past. Social and physical infrastructure received a boost. It was very satisfying to be able to work with the people to achieve these outcomes."

He then explained under what circumstances PM Modi became the Prime Minister candidate in 2013. He explained, "Those days, the nation was witnessing a crisis of trust and governance. The then UPA Government was synonymous with the worst form of corruption, cronyism and policy paralysis. India was seen as a weak link in the global order. But, the wisdom of the people of India gave our alliance a thumping majority and also ensured that our Party got an absolute majority, a first after 3 long decades."

PM Modi continued, "Over the last 11 years, We The People of India have worked together and achieved many transformations. Our path breaking efforts have empowered people from all across India, especially our Nari Shakti, Yuva Shakti and hardworking Annadatas. Over 25 crore people have been removed from the clutches of poverty. India is seen as a bright spot among major global economies. We are home to one of the largest healthcare and social security schemes in the world. Our farmers are innovating and ensuring that our nation is self-reliant. We have undertaken extensive reforms and the popular sentiment is to make India Aatmanirbhar across all sectors, reflecting in the clarion call of 'Garv Se Kaho, Yeh Swadeshi Hai.'"

He ended on the note by thanking the people of India.