Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday marked 25 years as the head of a government, completing a political journey that began with his appointment as the Chief Minister of Gujarat on October 7, 2001. He later became Prime Minister in 2014 and has continued in that position through three consecutive terms. The milestone was marked by a series of programmes, including the Seva Jyoti event in New Delhi.
Speaking at the Seva Jyoti programme, Modi looked back at his 25 years in public life with a message of gratitude. Rather than presenting the milestone only as a personal achievement, he credited the people, party workers, grassroots supporters and swayamsevaks who accompanied him throughout his political journey.
Modi said that when he looked back at the past 25 years, his primary feeling was gratitude. He acknowledged that the different stages of his political career had provided experiences and lessons that shaped his approach to public service.
According to Modi, both success and failure played an important role in his political journey. He said that those who helped him achieve victories taught him humility, while difficult experiences and setbacks taught him how to recover and move forward. He also said that supporters demonstrated the importance of trust, while those who opposed him helped him understand the strength and importance of democracy.
The Prime Minister also expressed appreciation for grassroots workers and swayamsevaks. He said their support ensured that he did not feel alone during his years in public life. His remarks placed particular emphasis on the contribution of people working at the grassroots level.
The 25 year milestone covers two major phases of Modi's political career. The first began in Gujarat, where he became Chief Minister in 2001. The second began in 2014, when the Bharatiya Janata Party won the Lok Sabha election and Modi assumed office as Prime Minister.
The occasion has been accompanied by several programmes organised under the broader Seva Sankalp Abhiyan. The campaign was planned as a month long initiative connected with the completion of Modi's 25 years in public service and the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
The BJP has organised various activities as part of the campaign, including service programmes, public events, youth initiatives and Seva Jyoti Yatras. The objective has been to highlight public service, development and citizen participation while marking the milestone in Modi's political career.
The central theme of Modi's remarks was the future rather than only the past. He reiterated the goal of building a Viksit Bharat, or developed India, by 2047. The target coincides with the centenary of India's independence and has become one of the central long term development goals associated with the Union government.
Modi's remarks also focused on the importance of public trust. He said the trust accumulated during his years in public life ultimately belongs to the country and its people. This framing reflects his emphasis on public service as a responsibility rather than simply a political position.
The Prime Minister's reflections also highlighted the role of criticism in a democratic system. He said that those who disagreed with him provided lessons about democracy. The statement was part of a broader reflection on how different experiences, including both support and opposition, contributed to his understanding of public life.
The Union Cabinet had also passed a resolution on October 6 congratulating Modi on completing 25 years of continuous leadership at the head of a government. The resolution described the milestone as significant for India's democratic journey and praised his leadership and governance.
The government has highlighted several policy areas during the commemoration, including welfare delivery, digital infrastructure, economic development, national security, technology and social empowerment. The Cabinet resolution also linked Modi's leadership with the broader objective of creating a self reliant, secure and prosperous India by 2047.
At the same time, the 25 year milestone remains a significant political event for the BJP. The party has used the occasion to showcase its governance narrative and communicate its vision for the country's future. Programmes connected with the anniversary have been organised across different states, bringing together party workers, beneficiaries, youth and supporters.
Modi's completion of 25 years as head of a government is also notable because of the length of his continuous tenure. His political journey from Gujarat to the national level has made him one of the most prominent figures in contemporary Indian politics.
The Prime Minister's latest remarks indicate that he intends to frame the milestone as a continuation of public service rather than an endpoint. His emphasis on gratitude, lessons from experience and the Viksit Bharat goal suggests a focus on the next phase of governance and national development.
The 2047 objective will require sustained economic growth, employment opportunities, infrastructure development, technological advancement and social progress. The government has presented several of these areas as important components of its long term development agenda.
For now, Modi's 25 year milestone has become both a moment of political reflection and an opportunity for the government and BJP to reiterate their development vision. His message at the Seva Jyoti programme focused on gratitude towards those who supported his journey and a renewed commitment to the country's future.
As the programmes marking the milestone continue, the focus is expected to remain on public service, citizen participation and the government's stated objective of achieving a developed India by 2047.
