PM Modi 75th Birthday: How 'Gujarat Model' Continues To Power India's Rise

PM Modi 75th Birthday: When Narendra Modi became Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001, few could have predicted the lasting impact his policies would have, not just on the state but on the nation. His 13-year tenure as Chief Minister (2001–2014) laid the foundation for a governance model rooted in federalism, innovation, and people-centric policies. As Prime Minister since 2014, PM Modi has scaled these ideas nationwide, proving that strong state-level governance can shape a nation’s trajectory. The Gujarat Model, which focused on infrastructure, power reforms, and industrialisation, continues to drive India’s progress, demonstrating how federalism allows states to experiment and succeed, offering blueprints for national growth.

In Gujarat, Modi’s approach to infrastructure transformed the state into a hub of opportunity. The Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG) used geospatial technology to streamline planning and resource management, enabling real-time monitoring of projects. This model inspired the Gati Shakti National Master Plan, launched in 2021, which integrates 16 ministries to enhance multimodal connectivity. As of 2024, Gati Shakti has mapped over 1,400 infrastructure projects, reducing delays and boosting efficiency. The Gujarat experiment showed that technology-driven coordination could bridge departmental silos, a principle now powering India’s infrastructure boom.

Power reforms were another cornerstone of the Gujarat Model. The Jyotigram Yojana, launched in 2003, ensured 24x7 electricity for rural Gujarat, covering 18,065 villages by 2006. This wasn’t just about lighting homes; it revived micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and stabilised rural incomes. By 2014, Gujarat’s rural power supply was a benchmark, attracting investor confidence. Nationally, this vision became the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) in 2015, electrifying 18,374 villages by 2018. The ripple effect was profound: MSMEs, contributing 29 per cent to India’s GDP in 2023, thrived on reliable power, while rural economies gained stability.

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Industrialisation under CM Modi’s leadership was equally transformative. The Vibrant Gujarat Summit, launched in 2003, drew global investors, making Gujarat a manufacturing powerhouse. Between 2003 and 2014, the state attracted Rs. 16.28 lakh crore in investment proposals. This success built investor confidence in India’s subnational states, paving the way for the Make in India initiative in 2014. By 2024, Make in India had facilitated Rs. 83 lakh crore in FDI inflows since its launch.

The Gujarat Model’s focus on creating an investor-friendly ecosystem through land reforms, single-window clearances, and infrastructure became a national template, proving that states could compete globally while strengthening India’s economy.

Modi’s Gujarat policies also emphasised social welfare, seamlessly transitioning to national programmes. The Kanya Kelavani Yojana, which boosted girls’ education through enrolment drives and incentives, increased female literacy in Gujarat from 57.8 per cent in 2001 to 70.7 per cent in 2011. This inspired Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, launched in 2015, which improved the child sex ratio from 918 in 2014 to 934 in 2023.

Similarly, the Chiranjeevi Yojana, providing free healthcare to BPL mothers, reduced Gujarat’s maternal mortality ratio to 57 per 1 lakh live births by 2014. Its national counterpart, PM Matru Vandana Yojana, has supported 3.2 crore women since 2017. These schemes reflect a governance philosophy that prioritises the marginalised while scaling solutions nationwide.

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The Gujarat Model’s success lies in its federal structure, allowing states to innovate and adapt policies to local needs. PM Modi’s ability to replicate this at the national level through programmes like Namami Gange, inspired by Gujarat’s Sabarmati Riverfront, or Mission Karmayogi, rooted in Gujarat’s Karm Yogi training, shows federalism’s strength. For instance, Namami Gange has sanctioned 409 projects to rejuvenate the Ganga, with 232 completed by 2024. This mirrors the Sabarmati’s revival, which transformed Ahmedabad’s riverfront into a vibrant public space.

PM Modi's Gujarat Model has been a remarkable foundation for his vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, a commitment to inclusive growth that powers India's journey toward becoming a developed nation by 2047. The model's transformative achievements in electrification, investment, and welfare have delivered tangible benefits, showcasing PM Modi's ability to turn vision into reality. Gujarat served as a dynamic laboratory for innovative policies, which, when scaled nationally, have addressed India's diverse needs with precision and impact. Rooted in execution, transparency, and community participation, the Gujarat Model continues to inspire Modi's governance, reflecting the strength of federalism in fostering collaboration and driving progress. As India strides confidently toward 2047, this model remains a vibrant force, propelling the nation toward prosperity and unity.

As India marches toward 2047, the Gujarat Model remains a quiet but powerful engine, driving progress through federalism’s collaborative spirit, reflecting PM Modi’s vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas.