I join over 1.5 million Goans, to extend warm Birthday wishes to India’s beloved Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi ji & to pray for his good health, happiness and continued success in service of Bharat Mata. Over the last 7 years, Goa has received unprecedented support from the central government, be it for the development of infrastructure, strengthening of road network or social welfare schemes. Prime Minister’s visionary leadership and tireless work has ensured that large sections of the society such as the poor, women, farmers, backward classes and dalits have seen their lives being uplifted. They have not only been empowered but have witnessed suitable representation through appointments in key positions.
In a democratic setup, a leader’s popularity and work is tested every now and then through the mode of elections. In about 20 days from now, on 7th October 2021, Shri Narendra Modiji will complete 20 years since the day of his appointment as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, a post he held successfully till 2014. In 2014, the entire nation voted wholeheartedly, paving for his appointment as the Prime Minister of world’s largest democracy. While such an achievement is rare, what makes it more special is the track record filled with examples of good governance, visionary leadership and integrity. Even his fiercest critics have never accused Prime Minister Modi of corruption and that speaks volumes about the values he brought to his public life. Modi ji’s life shows us the importance of service, dedication to our country and its people. Like in all parts of India, BJP Goa too will conduct ‘Seva Aur Samarpan Abhiyaan’ for 20 days, from 17th September to 7th October 2021. The idea of the abhiyaan is to spread awareness about the way the lives of crores of people have been transformed by the life and work of the Hon’ble Prime Minister and also, to thank him for his welfare initiatives for the poor.
I write this with the backdrop of Goa’s achievement of vaccinating 100% of its eligible population with the first dose of Covid19 Vaccine. I find it important to mention this since the credit for India’s success in the area of vaccination goes to the relentless efforts by Hon’ble Prime Minister Modi ji & his government. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, he was quick to recognise the need for vaccination and started early planning. India has always been a pharmacy to the world, but the vaccine on Covid19 required swift approvals and Government support. Modi ji offered vaccine manufacturers both and that was one of the reasons why India was able to launch the world’s biggest vaccination drive almost at the same time as other developed countries. Even in the times of crisis, he did not forget his belief & a promise to the world of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” by exporting vaccines to the countries in need. When India is going through this tough phase of the pandemic, Indians are grateful, more than ever before, to be led by a strong leader in Narendra Modiji.
I remember my mentor and father figure Late Manohar Bhai Parrikar saying “Modi loves Goa and Goa loves Modi”. He would cite the instances of BJP's National Executive in 2002, held in Panaji where BJP’s central leadership had reaffirmed their faith in Modi ji’s role as Chief Minister of Gujarat while in 2013, Modi ji received a resounding mandate from the National Executive to lead BJP’s 2014 Lok Sabha campaign by appointing him as the Head of the Campaign Committee. I was fortunate to witness the proceedings from a close quarter, having been elected to the Goa assembly for the first time in 2012, volunteering at the venue. I also remember, Modi ji chose Goa for his first official visit outside of Delhi upon becoming the Prime Minister in 2014, a matter of pride for every Goan. Modi ji’s friendship with Late Parrikarji also will be etched in our minds for a long time.
Modiji’s journey from a swayamsevak to pracharak to Chief Minister to now Prime Minister of India is an inspiration to every dedicated karyakarta. With sheer hard work and dedication, Modi ji rose to pinnacle of success with the strong backing of the world’s largest volunteer organization, the RSS and the BJP, world’s largest political party.
Goa has always been close to the Prime Minister’s heart. In my tenure of 2.5 years as Chief Minister, I have always received tremendous support from the PM & his Ministerial colleagues. Goa also received never seen before representation at the national stage under the current BJP Government. Union Minister since 2014 in Shripad Bhau Naik, Defence Minister in late Manohar Bhai Parrikar, and now, a Governor in Rajendra Arlekar ji. BJP has given tremendous respect and representation to Goa, something no other party can boast of.
If I was to recount the achievements of the Modi Government over the last 7 years, I would need another article to list down all the points. Every initiative or decision taken by Prime Minister Modi has been directed towards the welfare of the citizens, facilitating Ease of Doing Business or retaining our cultural values, be it initiatives like Jan Dhan Yojana, Ayushyamaan Bharat, Swacch Bharat, Make in India, AtmaNirbhar Bharat, StartUp India or implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST), work on abolition of Article 370, bringing Citizenship Amendment Act, or successfully starting work on a grand Ram Mandir at Ayodhya. Every promise made in the manifesto since 2014 has been meticulously delivered. Such has been the commitment of Modi ji’s Government to the promises it made to the people of India.
To every karyakarta like me, Prime Minister Modi is an inspiration. His rise to the top also speaks about the democratic values of the Bharatiya Janata Party. I consider myself fortunate for the opportunity of working under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi at every stage. He has been the guiding force behind my Government and will always remain the pillar of strength. I once again wish him a Very Happy Birthday and I look forward to welcoming him in my beautiful state of Goa soon.