Modi government’s 11 years mark a decade of historic change, says Minister Pabitra Margherita in Sikkim

The completion of 11 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government was celebrated with great enthusiasm in Sikkim today. A press conference was held by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), where Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, addressed the media and shared a detailed account of India’s journey under the leadership of PM Modi. Speaking in plain terms , the Minister said these 11 years have completely changed the face of India.

Margherita, a Member of Parliament from Assam, described this period as a time of great change and progress. He said, “Under PM Modi’s strong and clear leadership, India has seen true development in every corner, and every section of society has been included.” He repeated the government's motto – “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas” – and said it was not just a slogan but a reality on the ground.

One of the major highlights of Minister Margherita’s address was the growth of India’s economy. He pointed out that in 2014, India was the 10th largest economy in the world. Today, it has become the 5th largest. This has been possible due to steady reforms and strong policies. The Minister said that India attracted a record-breaking $709 billion in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) between April 2014 and September 2024. This is 69% of all FDI received since the year 2000.

When it comes to agriculture, the Minister said that farmers have received the most attention ever under the Modi government. The agriculture budget has gone up nearly six times compared to 2014. Under the PM Kisan scheme, more than Rs 3.68 lakh crore has been directly transferred to the bank accounts of over 11 crore farmers. The government has also increased the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, and farmers are now getting three times more in MSP payments compared to the past.

The government has also worked hard to support young people. Under the Skill India Mission, more than 2.27 crore youth have received skill training. The government has spent more than Rs 2 lakh crore to help young people become employable. As a result, over 4.1 crore youth have found jobs or started their own work.

The number of startups in India has also grown a lot. In 2016, there were just about 500 startups. Today, there are more than 1.6 lakh recognized startups under the Startup India program. These startups have created nearly 17.69 lakh direct jobs. India is now one of the top countries in the world for unicorn companies – startups valued at more than $1 billion.

Minister Margherita also shared details about the government's work in the welfare sector. The Ayushman Bharat health scheme now offers free medical treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh to senior citizens above 70 years of age. This shows that the government is looking after people of all ages.

In housing, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana has helped nearly 4 crore families get their own homes. This includes 2.2 crore houses in villages and 92.7 lakh in cities. Almost all these homes have already been completed. The Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system has made sure that the money meant for the poor reaches them directly, without middlemen.

The Jal Jeevan Mission has also made a big impact. In 2014, only 3.23 crore households had tap water. Now, 15.62 crore households have clean tap water supply at home.

In terms of infrastructure, the Minister said that PM Modi’s vision has brought a real revolution. National Highway length has increased from 91,287 kilometers in 2014 to 1,46,204 kilometers today. The speed of highway construction is now 2.5 times faster.

India had 74 working airports in 2014. Now, the number has grown to 157, connecting even remote areas to the rest of the country.

The Indian Railways has also seen major changes. In 60 years before 2014, only 21,000 kilometers of rail lines were electrified. But in the last 11 years alone, over 47,000 kilometers have been electrified. New track laying has also doubled. The Vande Bharat Express, India’s semi-high-speed train, is another achievement. Today, there are 136 Vande Bharat trains running across the country.

The Minister also mentioned engineering marvels like the Chenab Bridge – the world’s tallest railway bridge – and India’s achievements in space, saying, “From the roads we build to the rockets we launch, the transformation is visible.”

Minister Margherita spent a good amount of time discussing the development of the Northeast. He said that PM Modi calls the Northeast “Ashtalakshmi” and treats it as a priority. He noted that PM Modi has visited the Northeast more than 65 times – a record that none of his predecessors can match. Union Ministers have made over 700 visits to the region.

Because of this focus, peace and security have returned. Insurgency-related violence is down by 70%, and civilian deaths have dropped by 85%. Over 12 peace accords have been signed with different groups. Instead of fear and violence, people in the Northeast are now seeing roads, schools, jobs, and investments.

Minister Margherita said that the Modi government has truly transformed India in the last 11 years. He said this transformation has touched everyone – farmers, youth, women, the elderly, the poor, and even those living in far-off places. According to him, this journey is not just about development, but about changing lives and building a new India.

He said that this 11-year journey under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership is just the beginning. He expressed confidence that India will continue to grow stronger, more united and more prosperous in the years ahead.