140 Madhya Pradesh 79 3 Delhi 4,560 12 Assam 33 1 Gujarat 27 1 Himachal Pradesh 1,239 15 GRAND TOTAL 5,03,937 6,724 Corporate Partners AWS-In Communities Final Narayana-Health Oracle MicroFocus Sopra Steria FAI Zoho KIAB ITC1 Big Basket Toast PNG McAfee Samsung DELL Persistent Foundation Decimal-Foundation Kellogg's Zomato
141 Nagarjuna_Collegeof_Engineering_and_Technology Sky Chefs. Awards & Prizes - iVolunteer Award 2017 - Received the iVolunteer Award from Sri. Vinod Tawde – Minister for School Education, Higher and technical education, Gov’t of Maharashtra. We currently reach out to more than 30,00,000 children in 35,000+ centres across 23 states + 4 Union Territories of India, providing them with morning nutrition on all school days. We also have a presence in the United States, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and West Asia. Winner – CSR Times Best NGO Award 2018 in Eradicating Extreme Hunger Category. Winner - CSR Health Impact Award 2018 for Food Iniative. Sri Somnath Bharti, formerly Law Minister for New Delhi handed the award to the Annapoorna Team on 24th August 2018. The CSR Health Impact Awards is an initiative of India Health and Wellness Summit aimed to recognize focused, dedicated efforts by NGOs which impact areas directly related to health.
142 - Honorable Mention For Annapoorna In Global Duty Of Care Awards 2019 - The Duty of Care Summit & Awards was held on 17th October 2019, in Shanghai. The Awards recognise outstanding achievements in meeting high standards of health, safety and security at work. The Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust was shortlisted in the Education Category in the first round of shortlists and in the final round earned a most ‘Honorable Mention’ at the summit. Our regional coordinator Ryan Tan from Singapore was present to receive this award. Regional Winner of Spirit of Humanity Annual Awards 2019 - Receiving the Spirit of Humanity Annual Awards awarded to Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust for contribution in the field of Social impact. - CSR Times Best NGO Award 2019 In Health Care Category - Receiving the Award conferred by CSR Times, India’s top CSR magazine, announced on September 18th at New Delhi. This award recognizes organizations who deliver high impact through CSR projects. - United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals Action Award 2020 Solidarity Award. - Annapoorna was selected for the Solidarity Award, a special edition of the UN Sustainable Development Goals Action Campaign, which recognizes the top
143 50 most heart-warming and impactful acts of humanity that have improved the lives of others, inspired resilience, and lifted hopes in the ongoing global health crisis due to COVID. . - Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Award of Excellence for Annapoorna Trust 27th July 2020 - On July 27, 2020, the Secretary of Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust, Mr. Anand Kadali received the ‘Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Award of Excellence’ for the Trust from Mr. Arjun Ram Meghwal, Honourable Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Government of India. - Winner of Rotary Karnataka NGO Award 2020 in ‘Health, Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation’. Receiving the award from Hon. Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka Dr. Ashwathnarayan C. N. during the Third Annual Rotary Karnataka CSR Conference and Awards. - Goodera’s List of the Top 16 Non-Profit Organisations 2022 - The Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust has been recognized and featured in Goodera’s list of 16 Best Non-Profits organisations for empowering the World Through Education in 2022 and beyond, on the occasion of International Day of Education 2022 - Lead India Power Women 2022 Award - As part of International Women’s Day celebration held on 08 March 2022, Mrs. Padma Radhika from Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust was selected as the
144 winner of “Lead India Power Women 2022” held at Shilpa Kala Vedika, Hi-Tech City, Hyderabad, India. Lead India Foundation is a brainchild of Dr. Kalam’s VISION 2020 and founded with a mission to transform India into a vibrant nation by instilling values of integrity, innovation and patriotism in Indian youth and empower them to develop themselves into ethical, confident, responsible global citizens, working towards self, family, community and world development. - CSR Summit Awards 2023 - Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust bagged two awards in the ‘7th Edition of CSR Summit and Awards 2023’ held in Mumbai on 14th March 2023, in the categories namely: - ‘NGO of the Year’ - ‘Most Committed NGO’ - ‘NGO Leadership Award’ awarded to Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai. The event organised by UBS Forums and saw the participation of various leaders such as CEOs, COOs, Vice Presidents, Founders, Head of CSR, and many others of eminent companies. Discussions were held on a range of topics including CSR in today’s times, Impact of CSR, Importance of implementing CSR, CSR Emerging trends and Challenges Ahead, Prioritizing CSR and Sustainability, etc. Various NGOs and Corporates
145 were felicitated for their contribution towards making a positive impact to humanity and nationbuilding. While Annapoorna strives towards nutrition security for the children of the nation while working for the work itself, recognition from respected authorities and institutions have been a natural byproduct. - CSR Conclave Education On August 4th, 2023 Certificate of Appreciation - The Annapoorna Trust was awarded the CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION at the CSR Conclave Education 2023, in recognition of the Trust providing Morning Nutrition at government schools through CSR in Karnataka. The Trust extends its heartfelt gratitude to the Honourable Chief Minister for this honour and appreciation. This CSR event was held at the Marriot, Bengaluru by the Government of Karnataka, under the guidance and supervision of Dr. Shalini Rajneesh IAS - Additional Chief Secretary at Planning Department, Govt. of Karnataka. “Education For All Health For All Food For All”
146 7 NARENDRA MODI THE SAI DEVOTEE BABA TO MODI : “I have given India to you”. “Your legacy lies in my heart”. MODI TO INDIA : “India has to be prepared for the World, And the World has to be prepared for India”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a devotee of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba for over forty years now beginning since the early 1980’s. He has had a very close relationship with Baba throughout this period, having had personal interactions with him covering a period of many decades. Modi stated publically that he has always been attracted to saints, sages and holy people ever since he was a child and was fortunate to be in close proximity to them during the course of his public life. He further indicated that he has always trusted the “holy” ones throughout his life, accepting what is
147 beneficial for all of society as well as for his own personal spiritual evolution and growth over a period of seven decades and has been associated with them during the numerous interactions he has had in his social life. He also said that he always had the courage to let go of what was not beneficial to him and the society. It was once said that Modi had wanted to take sannyasin and had gone quite a long way up into the Himalayas mountains, but after reaching a certain way he had met a “Sadhu” who told him that he could not take sannyasin, because he had a lot of work to do in India and the world in the future. After this encounter Modi eventually returned from the mountains and began to get involved in social and religious work. He eventually visited many places of pilgrimage throughout the length and breadth of India spending time and learning from the vast array of gurus, saints and other sadhus who were willing to give their blessings and share their knowledge with the young Modi. Modi was gradually getting more and more spiritualised as he continued interacting with the “holy ones” and also ended up becoming a member of the RSS in Delhi which also played a great role in his life both spiritually and politically later on when he joined the BJP party. It was this platform that
148 would eventually lead the young Modi into the vast and volatile world of politics, but more about that later on. During the course of his spiritual journey and pilgrimage throughout India, he eventually became very attracted and influenced by the teachings of Swami Vivekananda after visiting his ashram in Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu and spending some time there. The teachings of Ramakrishna Parmahansa and Swami Vivekananda had a lasting and profound effect on his life as he greatly absorbed them in his “mind and psyche” and then gradually began to practise them in his own daily life. The elders of the Shri Ram Chandra Mission of Kanha Shanti Vanam, Telangana were told by their Adi Guru in 1978 that “there was a young boy who was being ‘groomed’ to lead India into the future who would be a beacon of light for India” and who will also be the “number one global leader in the world.” During the course of his spiritual journey and pilgrimage throughout India, he eventually became very attracted and influenced by the teachings of Swami Vivekananda after visiting his ashram in
149 Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu and spending some time there. The teachings of Ramakrishna Parmahansa and Swami Vivekananda had a lasting and profound effect on his life as he greatly absorbed them in his “mind and psyche” and then gradually began to practise them in his own daily life. The elders of the Shri Ram Chandra Mission of Kanha Shanti Vanam, Telangana were told by their Adi Guru in 1978 that “there was a young boy who was being ‘groomed’ to lead India into the future who would be a beacon of light for India” and who will also be the “number one global leader in the world. This “spiritual journey” would eventually lead him to the doorsteps of Bhagavan Sri Satya Sai Baba at the ashram in Prashanti Nilayam, Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh. It was here that the personal individual spiritual journey would “end” and a “New Journey” would begin which he had absolutely no inclination or idea about. All the preparations had been made for many years and now it was time to fulfil the role and destiny for which Modi had been born.
150 It was here in the Prashanti Nilayam that Modi would finally receive the instructions for the new phase and stage of the remainder of his present life’s journey from Baba. What would those instructions be and what form and direction it would take will be told by Modi himself in his own words many years later. Modi said that Baba always showered abundant grace and blessings upon him and was very warm and loving to him at all times in his interactions with him throughout the years. He said that even after Baba’s physical passing in 2011 he still continues to experience the warmth and love of Baba on a daily basis in his life. Modi’s “Mission” Unfolds Even before he became the Chief Minister, Modi said that Baba showed him the same love when he visited His ashram as an ordinary member of the public both in Whitefield and Puttaparthi, as well as in Delhi whenever Baba visited there. Some twenty years later when he became the Chief Minister of Gujarat Modi said that this relationship continued to be the same. During those times Modi said he never went for anything in particular or never really asked Baba
151 for anything. All he wanted was his grace and “darshan” which he got in abundance. He never discussed his difficulties, problems or any such personal matters with Baba, because he did not want to “burden” Baba with his heavy load of worries, since Baba had His own multitude of problems to deal with. Modi further indicated that he used to be worried at times and would say, “Baba, you have so much faith, how can you say the future of India is very bright? How can you say this? After one such interaction Modi said, “Baba looked out the window for a while where they were standing and then went into a meditative state for a period of time. He then came out of this state after a while and according to Modi, “Baba then looked straight into his eyes for a while and then silently suddenly broke into a smile and pat him on his back. During that time Modi said there were no words exchanged as Baba did not say anything to him, just pure silence, as though Baba had already seen the future and had his plans but did not want to reveal anything yet to Modi about it. Modi continued saying that it was just a sensation, a realisation inside of him that caused him to start getting the belief that India will become very great and that it’s fortune will change drastically.
152 Modi said he had no idea what type of light or energy was working, but he began to believe more and more that this would happen in the future. He said that he did not reach that level of spirituality yet to understand or know what the future would look like for Bharat but that he began to feel very positive and optimistic about India’s growth. It was as though Baba had planted a seed in his mind and that it began to grow and become stronger on a daily basis. Every day he became more and more confident that Baba’s words would come through and that India would gradually become greater and greater. Modi said everyone use to always look forward to getting something from Baba whenever they visited the ashram. So, on many occasions Baba would normally give “gifts” to all the persons who accompanied Modi to the ashram, but he himself never got anything from Baba. Modi said, Baba used to look at him and smile and say, “I am not going to give you anything”. Then Baba would continue saying to Modi, “You know why I won’t give you anything? Do you know where you are? Modi said, he used to just keep quiet listening to what Baba was saying.
153 Modi said, Baba once lifted his own hand with His and placed it on His heart saying, “You know your legacy is here in My heart and that’s why these small things are not for you.” He always used to say this to me. Later on around 2004, when Modi was visiting Puttaparthi as Chief Minister of Gujarat with his friends, an incident took place which would later not only eventually change the lives of 1.4 billion Indians in India, but which would dramatically change the course of history of the entire world in times to come. It was on that fateful day, when Modi was sitting in the ashram, Baba finally came out to confer his “darshan” and blessings to all those present there. While walking through the crowd, Baba finally came to where Modi and his friends were sitting and as usual started to give things to everyone sitting there. As Baba continued to give “gifts” to each one of Modi’s friends, he finally reached to where Modi was sitting silently and patiently, awaiting Baba’s “darshan.” But instead of giving something to Modi, Baba walked straight pass him and continued on His round of “darshan.” One of Modi’s friends sitting with him, immediately blurted out to Baba saying, “Swami, the Chief Minister Modi is sitting here and
154 you passed him straight without giving him anything”. Baba turned around and replied instantly, “Who, He?” “I already gave India to him. I don’t have to give him anything else again” This statement by Baba was a pronouncement of enormous proportions as Modi was then only the Chief Minister of Gujarat at the time and was nowhere on the national political landscape as yet. You can just imagine the enormous effect and impact that Baba’s pronouncement would have been made on Modi’s mind and psyche knowing now that he would eventually become the Prime Minister at some point in the future. Remember this was a full ten years before the 2014 elections and no one had a clue as to what Baba was saying at that time, but as with all Baba’s “Divine pronouncements and declarations,” no one can understand or fathom the depth of what He is saying until many years later. One thing was certain was that life for Modi would never be the same again for the rest of his life on earth. He would now have to start thinking and acting differently knowing that the scrutiny of not only Gujarat but of the entire country would
155 eventually fall upon him at some point later on. Add to that the pressure of knowing that the “eyes” of the entire world was going to fall upon you looking, scrutinizing, studying, examining and dissecting everything you think, say and do. This was the “Big Boys League” where only the strong survive. How would Modi fare and survive in this “cut throat” world of the “Game of Thrones,” would left to be seen when it finally occurs. However, one thing was most “certain” and that was that Baba’s grace and blessings would always be there to protect and guide Modi through the “shark” infested waters of world politics. On that faith, Modi could always rest assured that Baba would forever look after him throughout this most extreme, challenging and difficult journey, where the political dynastic forces domestically and throughout the world would be ready to take him down at every step of the way. This was the “New Mission” that was given to Modi by Baba and how he would be able to manage and accomplish this great task would only be seen in the future. Baba had earlier also told Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Deve Gowda that they would both become the Prime Minister during conversations with the two of them on separate occasions before they both officially became the PM of India.
156 Only one person would know for sure how things would turn out and that was Baba, the “Boss Himself.” The rest of the world would only have to be spectators in this “Divine Drama” of creation as the “Sai-leela” unfolds. As Baba Himself has explicitly stated: “My Mission has already been accomplished. I am just allowing it to unfold for the benefit of Mankind.” The “Sai Movie” has already been made and is only awaiting the right time for its release. This is how the Avatar operates and there is no force on earth which can prevent this from happening now or in the future. Baba “Leaves The Physical Body” No one could have ever predicted the stupendous happenings of 2011, when Baba decided to give up His physical body at the age of 85. It threw the “Sai Family” into such a tailspin, that even today its enormous effects are still being felt all around the world. With Baba’s “passing”, everything and everyone felt as though they were “lost” including family members, close associates, devotees, friends and well-wishers throughout the world. What had just happened?”
157 No one could make any sense of this, especially as Baba had said He would live till 96 years and this was only His 85th year. Many hopes, dreams, visions and faith were lost in an instant as everywhere, things just fell flat, as everyone was confused as to the future. One of them was the pronouncement that Baba had made about Modi. In the ensuing mayhem that followed for many months and years, this one was certainly lost to the world in that period. Where was Modi now? Or more appropriately, “Where was Baba now? Both were million dollar questions which no one could immediately answer or give appropriate explanations. Only time would reveal the truth. This was after all Baba’s “leela” and only He would know the answers. He is the director, producer, actor and spectator all at the same time. So, we would just have to wait until the “Sai- leela” movie unfolds. Meanwhile we would just have to enjoy the uncertainty and the ongoing drama of Baba’s Mission as it unfolds. The uncertainty and unpredictability of Baba would eventually come to light in 2014, when Baba’s protégé Modi was voted in as the Prime Minister of India. It was to be heralded as the dawn of a “New Bharat.”
158 No one knew what to expect from this new dispensation, in terms of governance and development of the country, but one thing was certain was that this would be a new journey of enormous challenges, tests, courage, strength and fortitude. Modi’s Background Modi was the first person who would have been born after the independence of 15th August, 1947, to be chosen as the Prime Minister of India. As a matter of fact, he was born on 17th September, 1950, in Vadnagar, Gujarat, formerly known as Bombay at that time. His parents were Damodardas Mulchand Modi and Heeraben Damodardas Modi, whose family were involved in local grocery stores. Modi himself became a “chai-wala” or tea seller on the railway track stations as a small boy. He was the third of six children, comprising of four brothers, Soma, Amrit, Prahlad, Pankaj and one sister Vasantiben. Modi was married in 1968 to the 17-year-old Jashodaben Chimantal, presently a retired school teacher. They had both been betrothed at an early age by the two sets of parents. Jashodaben related in her own words that Modi had
159 told her to focus on her studies and not come to stay at his home, because he would be travelling all over the country and that it would not be right for her to follow him around all the time. She said she made the decision to return to her father’s home after staying at Modi’s home for a short while and that there was never any conflict with Modi. They remained out of touch after that, while she pursued her studies and eventually became a teacher. In fact, Modi stated openly at a public function in Goa: "I was not born to assume a chair of high office. Whatever I had, my family, my home, I left it for the Nation...” holding back his tears. Although Modi received his M.A. in political science from Gujarat University in Ahmedabad, he had very early on as a young person decided to live a spiritual life, visiting many shrines, temples, yatras, pilgrimages and other places of worship. He was greatly influenced by the teachings of Swami Vivekananda and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) after joining them officially in the1970’s. He eventually organised a local chapter of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and lived in the caves of the Himalayas together with the sadhus and the
160 saints for a while, before returning to normal society to fulfil the destiny he had been chosen for. Eventually he joined the BJP in 1987 as a “kaaryakarta” or worker and after that as we say, “the rest is history.” A year later the Gujarat branch of the party appointed him general secretary upon which he had a major role in significantly increasing the party’s influence in the state over the ensuing years. He helped the BJP win the 1995 Gujarat State legislative assembly elections, which in March enabled the party to form the first ever BJP controlled state governments in India and was one of the BJP members who took part in a coalition government in the state in 1990. In 1995 Modi was made the secretary of the BJP’s national organization in New Delhi, and three years later he was appointed its general secretary. He remained in that office for another three years, but in October 2001 he replaced the incumbent Gujarat chief minister. His fellow BJP member Keshubhai Patel had been held responsible for the state government’s poor response in the aftermath of the massive Bhuj earthquake in Gujarat earlier that year that killed more than 20,000 people.
161 Modi entered his first-ever electoral contest in the February 2002 by-election which won him a seat in the Gujarat state assembly. During his time as head of the Gujarat government Modi established a formidable reputation as an able administrator and was given credit for the rapid growth of the state’s economy. In addition, Modi’s role in the party’s electoral performances helped advance his position as not only the most-influential leader within the party but also a potential candidate for prime minister of India. Modi Becomes PM Of India In June 2013 Modi was chosen as the Prime Ministerial candidate of the BJP’s campaign for the 2014 elections to the Lok Sabha. He had demonstrated that achievement is independent of a person’s caste, creed or birthplace. In 2014 he led his party to victory in elections to the Lok Sabha (lower chamber of the Indian parliament), after which he was sworn in as prime minister of India. He became India’s first prime minister whose mother was still alive when he assumed office. He is regarded as a skilled party strategist and represents the Varanasi constituency being a member of
162 parliament from the Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh in the Lok Sabha. He had previously held the position of Chief Minister of Gujarat State from 2001 to 2014 and has been India’s 14th prime minister since 1947. He has since served as the longest prime minister of any party to date other than the Indian National Congress. After coming into office Modi has introduced many new important schemes and decisions, some of which have had a tremendous effect on the entire country. Soon after he took office, his government embarked on several reforms, including campaigns on new methods to improve India’s transportation and infrastructure as well as to liberalize laws on direct foreign investment in the country. Modi said that over the years Baba had taken the “ritual” out of spiritual and that the way forward for India to progress would be through “Seva” or Service to your fellow Man as espoused by Baba in one of his most powerful statements that “Manasa Seva Madhava Seva”, which means “Service to Man is Service to God.” It was from this command of Baba that Modi decided that rural development and especially the infrastructure of the entire country would be his mission of elevating India to the highest possible
163 level and setting a new direction and pathway for the future. He decided to push forward with all his might towards lifting the poor out of poverty by focussing his vision on the marginalised villages and tribal communities. He further stated and made it his central policy that survival was not of the fittest but of the “weakest.” To this end he would relentlessly pursue this mission of elevating the “last person in the line” by all means necessary through targeting the needy and impoverished sections of the society. His schemes would essentially be aimed at bringing the villagers into the middle-class section of the society thereby laying the foundation for a fully developed nation status by 2047. This vision has been set and the work now has to be done by one and all in order to achieve that goal. Macro Decisions Demonetisation According to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the decision to eliminate high-value bank notes would serve to stimulate the economy even more and have long-term advantages, including bringing the country’s sizable shadow economy into the light. The economic reforms were comprehensive and wide-spread across the entire country with the
164 introduction of several structural changes and temporary disruptions which were felt nationwide. Among the most far-reaching reforms was the demonetization and replacement of 500 and 1,000- rupee banknotes with only a few hours’ notice. The purpose was to stop the “black money” and cash used for illicit activities by making it difficult to exchange large sums of cash. The following year the government centralized the consumption tax system by introducing the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which replaced a complex system of local consumption taxes and eliminated the problem of cascading tax. According to the policy, after December 31, 2016, both the 500 and 1,000 rupee notes lost their legal tender status. GST Bill In the seventy years since India’s independence, the goods and services tax (GST), which the Modi administration implemented, replaced more than a dozen federal and state levies. According to officials, it increased the government revenue by bringing in millions of firms into the tax system. In order to comply with the tax, businesses have to upload their invoices to a website that will compare them to those of their suppliers or vendors. Companies who don’t apply for tax identification numbers run the danger of losing clients.
165 Abolition of Article 370 In his second term Modi’s government revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, stripping it of autonomy in October 2019 and bringing it under the direct control of the union government. The move came under intense criticism and faced challenges in court, not only for the questionable legality of depriving Jammu and Kashmir’s residents of self-determination, but also because the government severely restricted communications and movement within the region during that period. The Modi administration suggested splitting the state into two union territories, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh and repealed Article 370, which had previously granted a special status to Jammu and Kashmir. In accordance with the ruling, foreigners were no longer prohibited from purchasing real estate in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. State government positions as well as some college admissions were no longer only restricted to inhabitants of the state. Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) Another brilliant move by the Modi government was the proposed adoption of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). However, although the contentious CAA, which makes it easier for persecuted non-Muslim minority
166 in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan to obtain Indian citizenship was approved by Parliament, it sparked protests across the nation. Muslim Women Triple Talaq Act (Protection of Rights on Marriage) The Triple Talaq bill, which was approved by Parliament, became law after President Ram Nath Kovind granted his approval, making it an offence for Muslims to practice speedy divorce. The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019, declared null and unlawful the talaq-e-biddat and any other similar kind of talaq that has the impact of an immediate and irrevocable divorce decreed by a Muslim spouse. It made it unlawful to say the word “talaq” three times in a row, whether out loud, in writing, by SMS, WhatsApp or another electronic chat-app which resulted in instant divorce to a wife. Ayodhya Ram Mandir The Supreme Court’s decision to allow Hindus to erect a temple on Rama’s Janma-bhoomi put an end to 500 years of clashes and legal battles in the courts of India between Hindu and Muslim bodies and representatives. With the SC’s verdict completed Prime Minister Narendra Modi then performed the first religious
167 ceremonial rights for work to begin on the temple in the northern town of Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Ram. An ornamental plaque was installed at the premises of the temple in a lavish ceremony to kick off construction by Modi, whose Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has advocated for the temple for more than three decades, Covid -19 Vaccine In March 2020 meanwhile, Modi took decisive actions to combat the outbreak of COVID-19 in India, swiftly implementing strict nationwide restrictions to mitigate the spread, while the country’s bio-technology firms became key players in the race to develop and deliver vaccines both throughout India and later on over one hundred countries worldwide. India was able to develop its own indigenous vaccine called Covax which was used throughout India by all citizens. It was even donated free of cost to over one hundred countries worldwide who were facing vaccine shortages and emergency situations to vaccinate their citizens. This urgent responsive act of “goodwill” displayed by the Modi government in an urgent time of extraordinary crisis, would long be remembered as an extremely “friendly and brotherly” gesture in times of dire emergency and would serve as a base
168 for the trust and confidence of India to respond and support any other country in times of need, winning over many “hearts” of nations in the process. Consequently, many nations who were once beneficiaries of this friendly gesture have now openly declared their support for India to be the leading voice of the Global South as they have now deepened their economic ties with India and have put their total trust in Modi to represent their interests in international forums and conferences. The recent acceptance of the African Union consisting of 55 nations into the G20 in Delhi 2023, which was proposed by India and adopted unanimously in a record time of a few months, has further championed the cause of India as the leading voice of unity amongst all the G20 member countries as well as many non-members. The following are the areas in which Narendra Modi has done major reforms or other types of infrastructural development works since 2014. Modi’s Government 9 Years 9 Feats 1. The Modi government has sanctioned more than four crores (40 million) houses under PM Awas Yojana (PMAY).
169 2. Over 48.9 crore (489 million) accounts have been opened under the Modi government’s flagship Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) 3. Rs 29 lakh crores (29 trillion) have been directly transferred to beneficiary bank accounts. 4. Under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY), more than 80 crores (800 million) poor persons were provided food grains. 5. Rs 5,182 crores (51.82 billion) have been disbursed in 42.87 accounts under PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM Svanidhi) till March 2023. 6. More than Rs 7,558 crores (75.58 billion) worth of loans have been sanctioned by the Modi government under Stand Up India to SC and ST beneficiaries. 7. During the nine years of Modi government, 28.90 crores (289 million) unorganised workers have registered in E-Shram Portal which has been created as a National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW), which will be seeded with Aadhaar. 8. In its nine-year, Modi government has saved Rs 71,301 crores (713 billion) due to the weeding away of dummy LPG connections. 9. Rs 13,290 crores (132.9 billion) claims have been settled under the PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana.
170 Ayushman Bharat Modi said ‘Ayushman Bharat’ has played an important role in ensuring the poor are able to afford quality healthcare thus ensuring that their families do not become debt ridden due to medical expenses. He said the Government has taken the health-care reform to the grassroots with the world’s largest insurance scheme. Stating that Ayushman Bharat has ensured free treatment of the poor, he said over 30 lakhs (3 million) poor citizens benefitted from this scheme in Karnataka alone, thereby saving ₹4,000 crores (40 billion) in their treatment costs. In India, around 4 crores (40 million) poor people were able to benefit from this scheme, thus saving around ₹50,000 crores (500 billion) of their money. PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi Referring to the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, Modi said that over 11 crores (110 million) farmers in the country have received direct transfers amounting to over ₹2 lakh crores (2 trillion) till now. Jal Jeevan Highlighting the role of basic infrastructure in the
171 overall development, Modi said the Government has provided water connections to over 6 crores (60 million) households across India. Of this, around 30 lakhs (3 million) rural households in Karnataka were able to receive piped water connection under the Jal Jeevan mission. Kisan Credit Cards Stating that Kisan credit cards are being given to all fishermen, Modi said the government is also working on providing better boats and technology to fishermen to increase their incomes. One District One Product Referring to the various projects launched earlier Modi indicated that these projects will help in strengthening trade and commerce in the entire region. Through the ‘One District One Product’ programme of the Government, the fishermen and artisans from the region will be able to get better market opportunities for their produces. “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” Caring for the Girl Child Our Mantra should be: ‘Beta Beti, Ek Samaan’ - "Let us celebrate the birth of the girl child.”
172 We should be equally proud of our daughters. I urge you to sow five plants when your daughter is born to celebrate the occasion" said PM Narendra Modi to the citizens of his adopted village Jayapur. “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)” was launched by the Prime Minister on 22nd January, 2015 at Panipat, Haryana. BBBP addresses the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and related issues of women empowerment over a life-cycle continuum. Leveraging the Power of “JAM” - Jan Dhan, Aadhar and Mobile JAM vision will serve as the bedrock of many initiatives to come. JAM is about Just Achieving Maximum. Obtaining the maximum value for every rupee spent is the goal. Maximum empowerment for our poor and maximum technology penetration among the masses. In 2014, Modi said 67 years after Independence, India still had a large part of the population who had no access to banking services. This meant, they had neither any avenues for savings nor any opportunity to get institutional credit. Modi then launched the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana on the 28th August in 2014 to address this fundamental issue. Within a matter of months, this scheme had radically transformed millions of lives and futures.
173 A New Approach to Development. “Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana” PM Narendra Modi shared his vision for the Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana on its launch: “One of the biggest problems for us has been that our development model has long been supplydriven. We want to shift this model from supplydriven to demand driven through Adarsh Gram.” “There should be an urge to develop supplies in the village itself. All we need is to change our mind set. We need to unite people’s hearts.” A scheme has been prepared in Lucknow, Gandhi Nagar and Delhi where the same demand-scheme has now been attempted to be introduced. Unleashing India’s Entrepreneurial Energy I strongly believe that India has a lot of latent entrepreneurial energy, which needs to be harnessed so that we can become a nation of job givers, more than job seekers. Modi’s NDA Government is focused on giving a boost to entrepreneurship. The ‘Make in India’ initiative is based on four pillars in order to boost entrepreneurship in India, not only in business and manufacturing, but also in other sectors.
174 “Atma Nirbar Bharat” Make in India New Processes: ‘Make in India’ recognizes the ‘ease of doing business’ as the single most important factor in order to promote new entrepreneurship. For new infrastructure the availability of modern and facilitating infrastructure is a very important tool and requirement for the growth of new sectors. These two factors must be put in place to encourage and facilitate members of the public to make and manufacture their own products throughout the country in order to stimulate economic growth and development. Vocal For Local To this end Modi encourages all citizens to purchase local products made in India itself under a program called “Vocal for Local” which exhibits the entrepreneur spirit of a resurgent Bharat and not to wait or depend on foreign countries to manufacture products for them. This will also lead to job creation for many thousands of persons. “Namami Gange” ‘It is my destiny to serve Maa Ganga’ said PM Modi when he was elected in May 2014 to Parliament from Varanasi, situated on the banks of Ganga in Uttar Pradesh.
175 The River Ganga is important not only for its cultural and spiritual significance but also because it hosts more than 40% of the country’s population. Addressing the Indian community at Madison Square Garden in New York in 2014, the Prime Minister said, "If we are able to clean it, it will be a huge help for the 40 per cent population of the country. So, cleaning the Ganges is also powering India’s growth and also helps in restoring the glory of Bharat. Powering India’s Growth India has set off on an ambitious mission, a mission to provide electricity to 18,000 villages which are still in darkness after almost 7 decades of independence. PM Modi had announced in his Independence Day speech of 2014 that all remaining villages shall be electrified within 1000 days. Rural Electrification is happening at a rapid pace and is being done in an unbelievably transparent manner. Data on villages being electrified is available to the public through a mobile app and a web dashboard. While we can observe only electricity reaching the villages, it is also important to note that it is also accompanied by other developmental services.
176 Putting the Indian Economy on a Fast-Track India has become the fastest growing large economy in the world under the NDA Government. It has been historic for the Indian Economy. From a period of low growth, high inflation and shrinking production, the NDA Government has not only strengthened our macro-economic fundamentals, but has also propelled the economy to a higher growth trajectory. India’s GDP Growth rocketed to 7.4%, which is the fastest among all the large economies of the world. Various rating agencies and think tanks have predicted that India’s growth would accelerate sharply in the next few years under the NDA Government. India has now been propelled to be the 5th largest economy surpassing the UK in the process and is projected to become the 3rd largest by 2030. Empowering Farmers for a Prosperous India Multiple steps taken to give a major boost to Agriculture Farmers have always been the backbone of our country and the NDA Government is striving to strengthen this backbone of the country through innovative and solid measures. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana will give a
177 boost to productivity by ensuring irrigation facilities. The Vision is to ensure access to some means of protective Irrigation to all agricultural farms. Farmers are also being educated about modern irrigation methods to give 'More Crop Per Drop'. The Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana has also been launched to motivate more groups of farmers to take up organic farming. Ushering in Unprecedented Transparency Transparent and a Corruption-Free Governance has reaped huge benefits for the nation. While the past decade (2004-14) has seen many tales of arbitrary decision making, corruption and discretion rather than policy dictating crucial decisions, the past year has been a welcome change. After the Supreme Court Order cancelled the coal block allocations, Gov’t acted with unparalleled swiftness to ensure transparent and timely auctions. Auction and allotment proceeds from 67 coal blocks have touched Rs3.35 lakh crores (3.35 trillion) over the life of the mine. The Delhi High Court remarked: “What has convinced us is the fact that the auction process has worked out well.
178 Towards a Bright Future The NDA Government has given a massive push towards education and skill development. Various unique measures have been taken to augment the quality and reach of education. A fully IT based Financial Aid Authority has already been established to administer and monitor all education loans and scholarships through the Pradhan Mantri Vidyalakshmi Karyakram. The Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya Mission for Teacher Training has also been launched to enhance the quality of teaching. The Global Initiative of Academic Network (GIAN) has been initiated to invite eminent faculty, scientists, and entrepreneurs from premier educational and scientific institutions across the world to teach in the higher educational institutions in the country during summer and winter breaks. Connecting India Like Never Before Building the infrastructure for a resurgent India right from day one, the NDA Government’s push to infrastructure has been evident. Be it railways, roads or shipping the Government is focusing on augmenting and upgrading the infrastructure to aid in connectivity.
179 For the first time, railways budget focused on structural reforms and infrastructure changes. Announcement of new trains which used to be an annual political gimmick has now become a routine activity. Numerous passenger-friendly amenities like Wi-Fi on railway stations, passenger helpline (138), security helpline (182), paperless unreserved ticketing, e-catering, mobile security app and CCTV cameras for safety of women, etc. have also been launched making rail travel a totally new and elevating experience for all citizens. The recent additions of the Vande Bharat trains across India have lifted the speed and time of travel to unprecedented heights. Include now the latest Namo Bharat high speed train recently launched by PM Modi as the latest addition to the fleet of new trains traversing throughout the country as a totally new and novel experience in domestic rail travel for all citizens. Waiting in the wings is the first super high speed “Bullet-Train” presently being constructed and which should become fully functional in the not too distant future. Railway travel is all set to take on a totally different dimension in the years to come which is eagerly awaited by all citizens throughout India.
180 Roads & Highways India now has the second-largest road network in the world, spanning a total of 6.3 million kilometres (kms). It is now the second largest in the world after the United States and its network has increased by 59 per cent in the past nine years of the Modi government. This road network transports 64.5% of all goods in the country and 90% of India’s total passenger traffic uses road network to commute. Road transportation has gradually increased over the years with improvement in connectivity between cities, towns and villages in the country. The vast developments in the new national highways project has been totally astounding to say the least under the astute leadership of Minister Gadkari. Roads, bridges, tunnels, highways, express-ways, double-decker and triple-decker infrastructural developments throughout India from north to south and east west have literally been nothing short of a “miracle” considering what it used to be in the past 70 years. Highways are now constructed and paved up to 40km per day breaking many “Guinness” World Records in the process. Mountainous and border security terrains, high altitude passes and extreme tunnelling and
181 overpasses through long stretches of hills have been the hallmark of construction marvel and excellence displayed by this Ministry of Roads and Highways since 2014. The road-journey is not yet completed but the way forward looks extremely bright and positive for the coming years. Renewable Energy India is the world's 3rd largest consumer of electricity and the world's 3rd largest renewable energy producer with 40% of energy capacity installed in the year. India stands 4th globally in Renewable Energy Installed Capacity (including Large Hydro), 4th in Wind Power capacity and 4th in Solar Power capacity (as per REN21 Renewables 2022 Global Status Report). The country has set an enhanced target at the COP26 of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy by 2030. India wants to become a global hub for the production of green hydrogen and is aiming for an annual production of 5 million metric tons of the fuel by 2030, which would cut about 50 million metric tons of carbon emissions and save more than $12 billion on fossil fuel imports.
182 Transportation India is one of the fastest growing electric vehicle markets in the world and more than 90% of India’s 2.3 million EVs are the cheaper and more popular two-wheeler or three-wheelers, which includes motor-bikes, scooters and rickshaws. Various other types of fuels are being tried in vehicles to reduce fuel costs, such as green hydrogen, brown hydrogen, black hydrogen, biodiesel, ethanol, bio-waste ethanol etc. Hydrogen-fuel buses are now being implemented in India and the goal of the government is to fully implement the recommendations of the Paris Climate Change Accord in reducing the carbon footprint emission to zero within the next few decades. To this end India is vigorously implementing major alternative bio-fuels to replace fossil fuel based transportation with many various other renewable sources of energy. These programs are presently being implemented in many states now for cars, buses, trains, 2 and O3- wheelers etc. at a rapid rate. Aeroplane bio-gas fuel is also being tested at this point to replace the present fossil-fuel based gas. The future for clean renewable sources of energy in the transportation sector looks very bright as India
183 forges ahead with its renewable-energy drive across all sectors of the country. Empowering Different States Equally With a Boost to Federalism Never before has there been a ‘Team India’ approach to work for India’s development. In a unique departure from the past, PM Modi has stressed on the need to leverage co-operative and competitive federalism to achieve all round growth. For a long time, we have seen a “Big Brother” relationship between the Centre and States. A ‘One Size Fits All’ approach had been used for years, not taking into account the heterogeneity of different states and their local requirements. The NITI Aayog was formed in 2015 to further empower and strengthen the states by encompassing all CM’s and other state officials to be part of a collective decision making body by working as a single team to propose and implement new strategies and recommendations nation-wide. This type of collective team model which works from the bottom-up has never been implemented before with a top-down approach previously being used for the last several decades.
184 Ushering in Reforms Multiple Reforms has been introduced to ensure all round development. India is embarking on ushering game-changing reforms through the use of Jan Dhan, Aadhar and Mobile (JAM), a unique combination of three programs to implement direct transfer of benefits. The NDA Government has also built a national consensus and introduced a Bill to amend the Constitution to implement the Goods and Services Tax (GST). The GST will put in place a state-of-theart indirect tax system by 1st April, 2016. This innovative methodology will allow transfer of benefits in a leakage-proof, well-targeted and cashless manner. There would be a drastic cut in subsidy leakages but not in subsidy themselves. This has allowed benefits to be transferred instantly and directly into the accounts of beneficiaries without a single rupee being lost. The digital transformation through the UPI system of payments has allowed these transactions to be digitally paid to every single person in their bank accounts immediately. The ordinary vendor and street seller can now facilitate payments through the UPI app on their smart phone for consumers thus eliminating the need for cash by utilising the cashless form of payment.
185 This digitalisation of payments has had a massive transformation in the trade and business sector of the economy as merchants and vendors can now access and benefit directly from this program thus allowing for greater flexibility and freedom in their daily transactions. The extreme success of the UPI system of digital payments is now being adopted and used in many countries with several more expressing a desire to implement it in their countries. India has now become a leader in the world of online digital payments through its UPI digitalisation system of payment. “Swachh Bharat” “A clean India would be the best tribute India could pay to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150 birth anniversary in 2019,” said Shri Narendra Modi as he launched the Swachh Bharat Mission at Rajpath in New Delhi. On 2nd October 2014, the Swachh Bharat Mission was launched throughout length and breadth of the country as a national movement. While leading the mass movement for cleanliness, the Prime Minister exhorted people to fulfil Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of a clean and hygienic India. Shri Narendra Modi himself initiated the cleanliness drive at Mandir Marg Police Station.
186 Education The union government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has completed nine years in power. One of the successes of the government is that it has started identifying and empowering the right people in the system. The education sector is one of the vital sectors witnessing transformation under this regime and 20 years from now, the educational landscape of India will be very different and a lot more accomplished. Nine Major Educational Achievements of the Government since 2014. 1. Increasing the number of top institutions: The number of national institutions like IITs, IIMs, and AIIMS has increased. A record 71 Indian universities have made it to ‘The World University Rankings’, which is up from 63 in the last year. Three Indian universities have achieved top-200 positions in the ‘QS World University Rankings.’ The establishment of the National Sports University in Manipur in 2018 is also a welcome step. 2. Research Renaissance: India's research scenario has improved with more enhanced infrastructure in universities, addressing previous
187 limitations in resources. International research collaborations have increased and academicians and scholars now have sabbatical opportunities to pursue research abroad. The study materials have also expanded to include cases from Indian organizations. 3. Importance to Liberal Arts: In the last 9 years, the study and research in the field of liberal arts have gained importance. We can see a rise in career opportunities in this domain. 4. Medical Education: It is noteworthy that medical professionals, who primarily come from a chemistry background, are receiving accolades in the field of medicine, owing to the interdisciplinary education they receive. Along with this, the government is also promoting education in traditional medical practices like Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, etc. 5. NEP 2020: The NEP 2020 stands as a significant achievement of the government, aiming to revolutionize the education system and foster a fully comprehensive transformation. Successful implementation of this policy can be a gamechanger. The flexibility, interdisciplinary approach, and establishing interconnectedness of disciplines, say pure science and engineering exemplify one of the government's major successes.
188 6. Skill Development: This government has emphasized skill development and vocational training. Initiatives like Skill India and Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana are enhancing employability and making the youth job ready. 7. Digital Education: Under the Digital India Mission of the government, various initiatives promote the use of technology in the field of education, ranging from digital libraries to initiatives like SWAYAM, SWAYAM PRABHA and MOOCs 8. Establishing Campuses of Foreign Universities in India: Backed by the government in the Union Budget 2022-23, the UGC has released the draft to encourage the establishment of campuses by foreign universities in India. Deakin University has become the first foreign university to set up an International Branch Campus in India at GIFT City. 9. National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF): Implemented in 2016, NIRF rankings encourage institutes to improve themselves on parameters like teaching, research, perception, and employability. Transformation Of The Education Sector The Modi Government has been emphasising on transforming the education sector at a rapid pace,
189 with focus on primary, higher and medical education. Since 2014, Modi Government has announced the setting up of new IITs, IIMs, IIITs, NIT and NIDs. A new IIT and IIM has been opened up every year since 2014. As of now, there are 23 IITs and 20 IIMs across the country. A new university has been set up every week and two new colleges have been set up every day since 2014. As a result of this, the number of students in higher education has gone up significantly. Not only this, 22 new universities have been set up in the Northeast and Ladakh has got its first ever Central University. The first ever forensic university and rail and transport university have also been set up. Major focus has been laid on improving the primary education system in the last seven years. Emphasis is on preparing the students for 21st century. Gross enrolment of girls has increased in higher education by 18% from 2015 to 2020, thereby helping realise the vision of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao. Pupil-teacher ratio has improved as a result of which quality education is being ensured for the young minds.