A new Bharat is taking shape—where progress is measured not
only in GDP, but in dignity and opportunity. Annam Lakshmi Bhavani, a homemaker
from Kadapa, secures the Mudra loan to start a successful jute bag
manufacturing unit. Jagdev Singh in Haryana makes decisions related to his
crops using an AI app. And, Meera Manjhi gets LPG connection under Ujjwala,
ensuring a smokeless kitchen and more quality time with her children.
These are everyday realities of villages, towns, and cities
across Bharat. These transformations stem from structural reforms and a
leadership that believes in empowering the last citizen.
Antyodaya in action
From the very beginning, our guiding philosophy has been
antyodaya—uplifting the people at the bottom of pyramid. Every policy, every
investment, and every innovation over the past 11 years has been shaped by this
vision.
This vision, guided by the leadership of Prime Minister Sh.
Narendra Modi, is based on four simple yet powerful pillars. Building
infrastructure that connects, growth that is inclusive, manufacturing that
creates jobs, and simplifying systems that empower.
Pillar 1: Investment in Infrastructure
Capital expenditure has grown significantly in last eleven
years, reaching INR 11.2 lakh crore in 2025-26. This surge in public investment
is most visible in India’s infrastructure - physical, digital, and social.
Over the last 11 years, physical infrastructure in Bharat
has grown at a rapid pace. Nearly 59,000 kilometers of highways have been
built, and over 37,500 kilometers of railway tracks laid.
Recently, the Chenab and Anji bridges were
inaugurated—symbols of a modern Bharat. For the people of Kashmir, the arrival
of Vande Bharat through these bridges felt like a dream. One traveller, with
tears in his eyes, said he never thought this day would come.
This spirit of connectivity goes beyond railways to digital
highways. India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) has become a global
benchmark. UPI, Aadhaar, and DigiLocker are now studied globally their scale
and inclusiveness. Over 141 crore Aadhar registrations and everyday 60 crore
UPI transactions signify its reach and acceptance. The idea behind this is
simple: democratise technology for all.
The same vision drives the IndiaAI Mission. Over 34,000
high-speed computer chips, known as GPUs, are now available to all. That too at
just one-third the global cost. These chips are needed as part of AI
development, especially training of AI models. To support this further, the
AIKosha platform offers over 370 datasets and 200 ready-to-use AI models for
learning and innovation.
This focus on accessibility extends beyond tech to
education, healthcare, and basic services. Over the 11 years, Medical colleges
have grown from 387 to 780, and AIIMS institutions from 7 to 23. MBBS and PG
seats have also more than doubled. This demonstrates a strong commitment to
making quality education and healthcare accessible to all.
Pillar 2: Inclusive growth
The most powerful validation of our development model is in
the lives it has touched. Over 530 million Jan Dhan accounts have been
opened—more than the population of Europe. 40 million homes have been built,
120 million toilets constructed, and 100 million families now cook with clean
LPG instead of wood fire.
Tap water connections have also reached 140 million
households under “Har Ghar Jal.” Health insurance under Ayushman Bharat covers
350 million people, and 110 million farmers now receive direct income support
through PM-KISAN.
These numbers come alive through the stories like that of
Meera Manjhi, the 10th crore Ujjwala beneficiary. She mentions how INR 2.5 lakh
was credited directly to her bank account without any middleman. She now has
tap water through Har Ghar Jal, free ration every month, and a smokeless
kitchen under Ujjwala.
This is inclusive growth at a magnitude not seen during any
period in our recent history.
Pillar 3: Manufacturing and Innovation
In 2015, we launched Make in India to create jobs and revive
industrial growth. Today, electronics manufacturing has increased 6 times to
cross INR 12 lakh crore. Electronics exports have increased 8 times to cross
INR 3 lakh crore to become among the top exported goods.Bharat is now the second largest mobile phone
producer.
We are now deepening the manufacturing value chain by producing
electronic components under the new Electronic Components Manufacturing Scheme.
Simultaneously, India’s semiconductor mission is moving from
a blueprint to breakthrough. The country’s first commercial fab is under
construction. Five OSAT units are underway. And over 20 chipsets with
indigenous IP have been designed by students and engineers in India. We have
onboarded 270 universities with world-class EDA tools. This is laying the
foundation for a semiconductor talent pipeline that the world can rely on.
Pillar 4: Simplification of Laws
A silent revolution of the last decade has been in
governance. Over 1,500 old laws were repealed and 40,000+ compliances removed.
New laws like Telecom Act and DPDP Act are built on trust & simplicity,
treating citizens with dignity, not suspicion. This has encouraged investment,
innovation, and formalisation, creating a virtuous cycle of growth
Modi doctrine
Bharat’s approach to terror has changed in these 11 years.
From surgical strike, air strike and now Operation Sindoor, Bharat has shown
clarity and courage in fight against terror. Each response reflects a swift,
decisive action—on our own terms.
This new way of responding to terror attacks is part of the
Modi doctrine. It is based on three pillars. Decisive retaliation on Bharat’s
terms, zero tolerance for nuclear blackmail, and no distinction between
terrorists and their sponsors.
What made our response this time even more significant was
the use of indigenous technologies and capabilities. A nation aspiring to
become viksit must not only defend its people but do so with Atmanirbharta—and
Bharat did exactly that.
Trust
Earlier growth used to be measured in numbers. Today, it’s
measured in the lives transformed. A homemaker who became an employer. A Farmer
using AI app in agriculture. A mother whose kitchen no longer fills with smoke.
These are quiet revolutions happening across the country.
In 2004, at the end of Atal ji’s tenure, India was the 11th
largest economy in the world. Between 2004 and 2014, India remained at the 11th
position, reflecting a decade of missed momentum. In the past decade, Bharat
regained momentum due to the reformist policies of PM Modi. Today, we are
firmly on the path to become the third-largest economy in the world.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, these 11 years
of inclusive growth have given people something more valuable than subsidies or
services. They’ve given them a belief. And a firm belief in a better future is
what keeps the nation going.
Ashwini Vaishnaw
Union Minister for Railways, Electronics & Information
Technology, and Information & Broadcasting
