Twenty-Two years since PM Modi Took oath as CM of Gujarat

On October 7 in 2001, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took oath as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. After this, it is believed that the state of Gujarat got on the tracks of development. The country was not expecting a common man to lead Gujarat is such a way.

2001 was the year when Gujarat was a shaken by an earthquake and as CM, he had big challenges in front of him. PM visited villages of Gujarat and even during elections, he toured the state gaining him victory in the elections.

While focusing on Water, Human, Power, Knowledge and Police resources, CM Modi took Gujarat on the path of Development.

Water

In Gujarat, Shri Narendra Modi undertook transformative initiatives to address critical water and energy challenges. Gujarat was already grappling with water scarcity when Modi took office. He launched a massive water conservation movement, connecting people through check dams and borewells to address the crisis. Simultaneously, he doubled the budget for vital irrigation projects. Three major water management projects, including SAUNI and Sujalam Sufalam, significantly improved water quality and availability for drinking and agriculture across the state. Gujarat became the first state to inaugurate a Water Grid, with a vast canal network spanning 69,000 kilometers. Modi's commitment to renewable energy resulted in Gujarat hosting the country's largest solar parks, and the state achieved 24x7 power supply, becoming the first net surplus electricity producer. Additionally, he ensured the expansion of LPG gas pipelines to over 40,000 kilometers, reaching every household in the state. Shri Narendra Modi's leadership transformed Gujarat from a water-deficit to a water-surplus state while revolutionizing its energy infrastructure.

Agriculture

In Gujarat, Shri Narendra Modi initiated groundbreaking changes in the agriculture sector. Traditionally reliant on rainfed agriculture, Gujarat underwent a transformation under his leadership. He introduced the Krishi Mahotsav and livestock health fairs throughout the state, revolutionizing the agricultural landscape. These events served as a platform to educate farmers about new techniques, tools, and inputs, leading to increased agricultural yields.

Crucially, irrigation projects like the Narmada Yojana ensured consistent water availability in Gujarat's fields. Modi also promoted micro-irrigation techniques among farmers, establishing the 'Jiyo Parsi' scheme to encourage their adoption. Horticulture and agro-processing received a boost, fostering diversification in farming practices.

Today, Gujarat's agriculture benefits from modern practices like drip irrigation, enabling year-round crop cultivation. The state excels in producing moong and castor and ranks second in cotton production. In tandem with agriculture, animal husbandry is a significant enterprise in Gujarat. The livestock health fairs, organized during Krishi Mahotsav, led to marked improvements in animal health. Over two decades, Gujarat hosted 76,600 such fairs and provided free treatment to more than 3.19 crores animals.

Furthermore, Gujarat's cooperative structure has strengthened both the dairy and agriculture sectors, particularly boosting dairy production. The state holds a prominent position in dairy production, including milk and butter. Shri Narendra Modi's holistic approach has not only transformed Gujarat's agriculture but has also fostered sustainable practices and increased productivity in the sector.

Education and Youth

Shri Narendra Modi, during his tenure as the leader of Gujarat, tackled two significant challenges in the education and youth sectors. Gujarat was grappling with a high school dropout rate, particularly among girls, and concerns about the quality of education. In response, Modi initiated two crucial campaigns in 2003: 'Kanya Kelavani' and 'Shala Praveshotsav'. These campaigns aimed to increase school enrollment and attendance. Modi and his government took an extensive approach, visiting every village and encouraging parents to send their children to school. This effort brought about a substantial transformation in Gujarat's education sector, significantly reducing the school dropout rate from a staggering 37% to just 2%.

To provide higher education opportunities for the youth, specialized universities were established in the state. The number of such universities increased remarkably, going from 14 to 108. Previously, Gujarat's youth had to seek education in fields like medicine and engineering in other states. Modi addressed this issue by significantly increasing the number of medical and engineering seats within Gujarat. Engineering colleges surged from 26 to 133, and the number of medical seats rose from 1375 to 6800.

Moreover, to equip the youth with practical skills, Modi initiated the 'Vocational Education' program, which was closely integrated with various industries. This strategic move led to the creation of a skilled workforce aligned with industry demands, consequently generating numerous job opportunities for the youth.

In the realm of sports, Gujarat's youth actively participated and even excelled at the Olympic level. This was made possible through sports events organized under the 'Khel Mahakumbh', fostering a vibrant sports culture in the state. Shri Narendra Modi's comprehensive approach in the education and youth sectors transformed Gujarat's educational landscape, significantly increasing enrollment, improving the quality of education, and providing numerous avenues for higher education and skill development.

Empowering Gujarat's Tribal and Marginalized Communities

In Gujarat, particularly in the tribal areas from Ambaji to Umargam, there were numerous challenges related to development. Many villages lacked schools, and even basic science stream education was absent. Shri Narendra Modi initiated the Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana, a comprehensive development plan for the Adivasi (tribal) regions of Gujarat, with an allocation of 1 lakh crore. This scheme addressed various aspects of development, including roads, water supply, education, healthcare, income generation, and agricultural development.

The Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana brought about a transformation in the lives of the Adivasi community. Areas without schools now have well-established colleges for fields like medicine and engineering. Every village is connected by paved roads, and access to water and electricity has significantly improved.

The focus on skill development under this program has created new employment opportunities for the tribal youth. Additionally, schemes like the Wadi Yojana have benefited farmers, while initiatives for Adivasi women like Saraswati Cycle Sahayata Yojana and Kunverbainu Mameru Yojana have empowered them economically.

In coastal areas, the "Sagar Kheduvasvangi Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana" was implemented, leading to infrastructure improvements and overall development along the coastal regions of Gujarat. Shri Narendra Modi also initiated various schemes to ensure that the rights of the underprivileged, such as the Garib Kalyan Melas, were upheld, directly benefitting the poor. Furthermore, for the Scheduled Caste (SC) community, scholarships and provisions for higher education were introduced, along with the establishment of Samarash Hostels in cities for their convenience.

In essence, these initiatives brought about substantial improvements in the overall development and well-being of Gujarat's tribal and marginalized communities, covering a wide range of sectors from education and healthcare to infrastructure and economic empowerment.

Health sector

In the health sector, Shri Narendra Modi initiated the "Ma" and "Ma-Vatsalya" schemes to provide healthcare security to the poor and needy, which later evolved into the world's largest healthcare security scheme - the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY). Currently, in Gujarat, PMJAY-MA beneficiaries receive free healthcare treatment of up to 10 lakh rupees annually. Gujarat faced a severe malnutrition challenge, with many infants unable to survive or born malnourished.

Under Shri Narendra Modi's leadership, the state took significant steps to combat malnutrition, including providing nutritious food to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, increasing hospital deliveries, and implementing monitoring through the "Postion Tracker Dashboard." Schools in Gujarat started distributing milk and iron supplements to schoolchildren, resulting in a significant reduction in maternal and child mortality rates. Additionally, in tribal areas, the "Doodh Sanjeevani Yojana" was introduced to combat malnutrition, providing three-flavored milk to children in schools.

Women Development

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gujarat has taken significant steps to empower women through a range of initiatives. A groundbreaking concept called the "Gender Budget" has been introduced in the state, allocating over 1 lakh crore rupees to address gender-related issues. Gujarat became the first state in India to establish the "Nari Gaurav Nivet" program, focusing on the upliftment of women from marginalized communities, providing them with enhanced opportunities for economic and social inclusion. Women's development received a boost through collaborations with NGOs and cooperative organizations, leading to increased employment opportunities.

Gujarat has also implemented a 50% reservation for women in local bodies and a 33% reservation in government jobs, including the police force. Government welfare schemes have effectively reached women in the state, and a separate Ministry for Women and Child Development was established in 2001 under the leadership of then Chief Minister Narendra Modi. To strengthen women's participation at the grassroots level, the "Samras Mahila Gram Panchayat" scheme was introduced. Water management in villages improved, with the active involvement of women in water committees.

Furthermore, Gujarat's livestock sector witnessed the active participation of 65% women, and women's dairy cooperative societies were established to support them. These cooperatives provide women with land at a nominal rate of 1 rupee, facilitating home construction over a 15-year period. In tribal areas, women's representation in forest management departments was promoted, and more than five lakh tribal women now contribute to forest conservation. Skill development and entrepreneurship training programs have enabled women to engage in various economic activities.

The "Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana" furthered women's empowerment by forming "Sakhi Mandals" to strengthen women's skills and organizations, with 2.52 lakh such groups active in the state. These mandals also organize fairs to promote products created by women. Additionally, an exclusive women's GIDC (Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation) was established in Ahmedabad's Sanand to support women entrepreneurs and businesses. Lastly, women's land titles were secured, ensuring their ownership rights free from encumbrances. Gujarat's comprehensive approach to women's empowerment encompasses economic, social, and political spheres, significantly advancing gender equality and women's development in the state.

Law and Order

Gujarat had experienced communal riots and curfews in the past. However, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, there were significant changes in the state's law and order situation. Today, it's challenging for the younger generation to imagine curfews being a regular occurrence. This improvement in law and order has contributed to Gujarat becoming one of India's most prosperous states. The state's success extends beyond maintaining law and order; it has also seen substantial growth in its industrial and service sectors, thanks to an improved environment for business development. Gujarat's appeal to foreign investors can be largely attributed to its robust law and order infrastructure, making it an attractive destination for both domestic and international businesses.

Industries

Gujarat's industrial landscape has witnessed a transformative journey catalyzed by initiatives such as the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, which has evolved from a mere event into an institution, setting a precedent for other states. The state's commitment to industry is evident through the establishment of special investment regions, industry policies, and textile policies that have fostered a conducive environment for businesses.

This commitment has materialized in projects like Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and the ambitious Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR). Gujarat stands as the "Engine of India," with an impressive 15% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) from 2002-03 to 2022-23, surpassing the national average and positioning itself as one of the fastest-growing states in terms of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). This economic dynamism translates into Gujarat contributing a substantial 8% to India's GDP as of 2022-23, solidifying its reputation as a key driver of the nation's economic growth.

It's not just an economic powerhouse; Gujarat is also recognized for its strong economic fundamentals, earning it the moniker "Growth Engine of India." With a flourishing business environment and a diverse industrial landscape, Gujarat has attracted significant domestic and international conglomerates, firmly establishing itself as a leading industrial state. As of 2022-23, Gujarat's GSDP was valued at an impressive INR 22.61 lakh crore (approximately 265 billion USD at current prices), reflecting its economic prowess.

Furthermore, Gujarat has consistently held the top position in India's industrial production since 2016-17, underscoring its significance in the country's manufacturing landscape. In terms of factories, Gujarat accounted for 11.6% of the total factories among the 28,479 registered factories in India until 2019-20. Beyond these statistics, Gujarat also boasts a substantial base of over 1.3 million Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the Value Chain.

The state's ability to attract cumulative investments worth 55 billion USD from 2000 to 2022 attests to its attractiveness for businesses. Moreover, Gujarat serves as a prominent hub for multinational corporations, hosting the headquarters of more than 100 Fortune 500 companies and numerous other global giants, further cementing its position as a favored destination for businesses on the international stage.

Double engine government in Gujarat

Since Narendra Modi assumed office as Prime Minister, Gujarat has witnessed a flurry of developmental initiatives. Notable achievements include the approval for raising the Narmada Dam's height to full capacity within two weeks of Modi's appointment. Gujarat proudly welcomed India's first bullet train, with rapid construction progress. The establishment of a Railway University in Vadodara and the operationalization of Rajkot's Greenfield Airport reflect a focus on education and infrastructure.

The state also gained National Defense and Security Universities (GFSU and RSU), strengthening its national security capabilities. Significant strides were made in healthcare with the inauguration of the first AIIMS in Rajkot. In the renewable energy sector, Kutch became home to the world's largest renewable energy park. The Light House Project facilitated the construction of 1144 houses in Rajkot, addressing housing needs. Gujarat's aspirations for high-speed rail connections, as well as its active participation in the 'Bharatmala Project,' are evident.

The state also hosted its first National Games and 17 G20 meetings under India's chairmanship. Infrastructure and urban development projects under the Smart City Mission transformed cities like Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Gandhinagar, and Dahod. These achievements underscore Gujarat's significant progress during Narendra Modi's tenure, enhancing the state's infrastructure, education, healthcare, and overall development.

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