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By:

Devendra Fadnavis

9 June 2026 at 5:42:34 pm

Trust, Development and India’s Rise

The story of India’s rise in the last decade has been marked by economic reform, infrastructure expansion and renewed national confidence When a public journey completes twelve years, it is often seen as a significant milestone marked by perseverance, dedication and an unwavering commitment to a larger goal. Therefore, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi completes twelve years of leadership, this period must be assessed through the lens of sustained effort, transformative governance and...

Trust, Development and India’s Rise

The story of India’s rise in the last decade has been marked by economic reform, infrastructure expansion and renewed national confidence When a public journey completes twelve years, it is often seen as a significant milestone marked by perseverance, dedication and an unwavering commitment to a larger goal. Therefore, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi completes twelve years of leadership, this period must be assessed through the lens of sustained effort, transformative governance and measurable outcomes. Viewed from this perspective, these years represent a remarkable era of service, commitment and good governance. Every enduring journey has two dimensions. When it is undertaken for the welfare of society, its benefits ultimately reach society itself and positively impact diverse sections of the population. The outcomes of Prime Minister Modi’s efforts are visible in the unprecedented transformation witnessed in the lives of ordinary citizens. From 2014 to 2026, his twelve-year tenure has emerged as a defining phase in India's contemporary history. It has not merely been a period of political leadership, but a unique confluence of trust, development, good governance, cultural resurgence and public welfare. Global Leader Today marks another significant milestone. As an elected Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has completed 4,399 consecutive days in office, surpassing the record set by Jawaharlal Nehru. Some may argue that comparisons between Nehru and Modi are inappropriate. However, when Nehru assumed office, there was a widespread perception that he had no political alternative. By contrast, when Modi became Prime Minister, Indian democracy had matured considerably. Citizens understood both the power and significance of their vote. They were aware of their aspirations and expectations, and recognised that governments exist to serve public welfare. It was under these circumstances that Modi assumed office in 2014. The electorate entrusted him with responsibilities that successive Congress governments had failed to fulfil over five decades. Accepting that challenge, he articulated the vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,” which later evolved into “Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas.” After securing victories in 2014, 2019 and 2024, he today stands at the forefront of India’s emergence as a global leader. The mandate of 2024, following the decisive verdicts of 2014 and 2019, was not merely an electoral victory. It represented a renewed endorsement of development, good governance and stable leadership. Modi became the first leader since 1962 to serve a third consecutive term as Prime Minister. At a time when many democracies across the world are grappling with political instability, India chose continuity, stability and decisive governance. Over the past decade, the country has strengthened its position through economic reforms, social transformation, infrastructure development, national security and an assertive foreign policy. The more than twenty-four highest civilian honours conferred upon him by nations around the world reflect this growing global recognition. This has not been the journey of a single leader alone; it has been a collective national endeavour. As a result, India’s economy has expanded from approximately $2 trillion to $4.18 trillion, making it the world’s fourth-largest economy. Economic prosperity is indispensable for achieving social justice. Modi not only recognised this reality but also worked consistently to realise it. Initiatives such as Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat instilled confidence among Indians and enhanced global trust in Indian products. Today, demand for indigenous defence equipment has risen so sharply that projected production for the next decade may struggle to meet requirements. This reflects the true strength of a self-reliant India. Historic Achievements One of the government’s historic achievements has been the substantial reduction of Left-Wing Extremism across twelve affected states. Regions that remained untouched by development for decades are now witnessing tangible progress. Nearly 20 crore people had long lived under the shadow of fear and deprivation. Naxalism stalled development and adversely affected thousands of young lives. Today, the situation is changing. Industrial projects, including steel plants, are being established in areas such as Gadchiroli. Universities, medical colleges and major educational institutions are being set up. The voice of development is gradually replacing the sound of conflict. Over the last twelve years, India has witnessed unprecedented growth in infrastructure development. The national highway network has expanded from approximately 91,000 kilometres to nearly 1.46 lakh kilometres. Highways are being constructed at an average pace of 34 kilometres per day. Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, millions of kilometres of rural roads have transformed the lives of farmers, students and rural communities. Railway electrification has accelerated significantly, while initiatives such as Vande Bharat Express and the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme have redefined the image of Indian Railways. The country’s metro network has grown from 248 kilometres to more than 1,095 kilometres. The Modi government has placed the farmer at the centre of the development agenda. Through the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, direct financial assistance has been extended to more than 11 crore farmers. Significantly, the first file cleared during the government’s third term pertained to farmer welfare, underscoring this priority. Under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, the “Per Drop More Crop” initiative has brought millions of hectares under micro-irrigation. Agricultural output has reached record levels, and India has emerged as the world’s largest producer of milk. Through the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, free food grains have been provided to 81 crore citizens. More than four crore families have received permanent homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. The Ujjwala scheme has enabled over eleven crore women to access LPG connections. Under Ayushman Bharat, millions of citizens have benefited from free health insurance coverage. The Jal Jeevan Mission has ensured access to clean drinking water for more than sixteen crore households. Women’s empowerment has occupied a central place in government policy. Women account for a significant share of Jan Dhan account holders. The Lakhpati Didi initiative has helped millions of women achieve greater economic independence. Programmes such as Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, maternity benefits, the strengthening of self-help groups and the growing participation of women in the armed forces have advanced the vision of women-led development. Digital Transformation India has also scripted a new chapter in digital transformation. Through the JAM trinity—Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and Mobile—lakhs of crores of rupees have been transferred directly to beneficiaries. India has emerged as a global leader in UPI transactions. BharatNet has connected lakhs of gram panchayats through optical fibre networks. Digital governance, faceless taxation and the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) have enhanced transparency and efficiency in public administration. India today engages with the world on the basis of equality and mutual respect. The nation seeks trade, investment and technology, but without compromising its dignity or self-respect. During the Russia–Ukraine conflict, India demonstrated its ability to pursue an independent foreign policy, placing national interests above external pressures. Today, India is the world’s fourth-largest economy. Initiatives such as Make in India, Startup India and the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme have accelerated manufacturing growth. India has become the world’s second-largest mobile phone manufacturer. Electronics production has increased manifold. Significant investments have been attracted for semiconductor manufacturing, and the country is rapidly positioning itself as a global manufacturing hub. Encouraged by policy support, India’s startup ecosystem has grown to more than two lakh startups and hundreds of unicorns. During these twelve years, India has also reaffirmed its cultural identity with renewed confidence. The construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, Mahakal Lok and the redevelopment of Kedarnath have infused new energy into the nation’s spiritual consciousness. Modi, who began his public life by paying homage to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, has also advanced initiatives such as the Panchteerth dedicated to Dr B.R. Ambedkar, the observance of Birsa Munda Jayanti as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, the Statue of Unity honouring Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, commemorative initiatives for Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Kartavya Path and the new Parliament building—each symbolising national pride and identity. Maharashtra has been among the principal beneficiaries of this development trajectory. Prime Minister Modi has extended support to the state in addressing its major developmental needs and challenges. From facilitating land for the Indu Mill Memorial to supporting projects such as the Amravati Textile Park, Vadhvan Port, Navi Mumbai International Airport, Samruddhi Mahamarg, Atal Setu, the Coastal Road and metro rail networks, his backing has been instrumental in advancing key infrastructure initiatives. Today, the world no longer views India merely as a large market. It increasingly recognises India as a reliable, responsible nation capable of contributing solutions to global challenges. India stands confidently on the world stage. These twelve years have laid a strong foundation for the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. The journey of trust, development and people’s participation is poised to gather even greater momentum in the years ahead—a belief shared by millions of Indians. (The writer is the Chief Minister of Maharashtra.)

Upskilling Is the New Job Security

As the corporate middle thins, the message on the wall is clear - upgrade or exit.

Instagram, last month, started looking like a comic strip that many of us enjoy reading in the newspapers every day - because almost every other person’s feed had photographs reimagined as hand-drawn caricature-like images. It’s the Ghibli-style, I was told a day before Instagram feeds flashed it. My tech-savvy, 30-something cousin, working on the programming at an OTT leader, had excitedly filled me with what the virtual world was up to. We opened ChatGPT on his phone app and started feeding in everything from family portraits to work data, only to see magic being created within seconds. Maybe a little unethical. With a string of instructions, we got a ‘Shah Rukh Khan-like’ person to endorse a whiskey brand, saw AI-created birds-eye views of the Empire State Building and created dreamy holiday pictures, all through our imagination running wild. And tech being our able companion. Family WhatsApp groups suddenly started buzzing with colour, activity, remarks and repartees. “Who needs to know this nonsense,” grumbled a 44-year-old in the otherwise excited messaging exchange. “We all do,” a younger member remarked. “If we don’t keep abreast of the latest happenings, we will be left behind and forgotten,” he quipped. The statement paused the fun and reality hit hard. Upgrade and upskill or then, be redundant.


That’s what entrepreneur Shantanu Deshpande said a few days ago, making news with his bold and blunt statement. The founder and CEO of the Bombay Shaving Company, made news when he wrote that professionals in their 40s are the hardest hit when companies opt for mass downsizing. While the forties are being hailed as the ‘new twenties’, just as 60-year-olds are urged to feel and live like those two decades younger, this decade of one’s life doesn’t seem to hold good for those in corporate jobs.


In an age of fleeting tenures and revolving doors, the most vulnerable rung in the corporate ladder might also be the most enviable on paper: professionals in their forties, flush with experience and the salaries to match. These are the ‘high earners’, a cohort perched at the top of the compensation pyramid; yet paradoxically, they are also the easiest to let go. They arrive with polish and pedigree, but often, in a season of cost-cutting, they are the first to be shown the door.


The timing could not be worse. In this season of life, expenses multiply with an unrelenting rhythm - be it in form of children’s education which demands ever-larger cheques, elderly parents requiring growing care and aspirations for a better lifestyle which manifest in mortgages, car loans and spiraling credit card bills. To be well-paid and mid-career today is to balance on a high wire without the reassurance of a safety net.


This quiet crisis is increasingly visible, and not just in whispers behind office doors. At Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, one of India’s pharmaceutical giants, a chill ran down the corridors when the company announced a 25 percent reduction in its workforce, targeting, with remarkable precision, employees earning more than one crore rupees annually. In March alone, news reports suggest the tech industry shed over 8,500 jobs globally, casualties of shifting corporate strategies, stubborn inflation, and the long shadows cast by geopolitical tumult.


Though few companies explicitly say so, the pattern is unmistakable: it is the senior and mid-senior executives - the ones once thought indispensable - who are now becoming expendable. Experience, it seems, no longer guarantees security. Instead, it has become a line item, ripe for erasure in the next earnings report.


Why is the 40 or 50-something professional the easiest to let go? Tech disruption is a major factor here apart from cost-cutting and downsizing. Automation, AI and digital transformation are changing how companies are run and therefore, mid-career roles need an upgrade. A workforce that’s in its late forties or fifties isn’t entirely tech savvy and perhaps hesitant to embrace the changes that automation brings in. As Deshpande analyses, and is for all to see, younger professionals are more malleable, learn new tech faster and come for smaller paychecks. Upskill, save and develop an entrepreneurial mindset, he advises. A sudden layoff shouldn’t hit you too hard.


Upskilling is essential and being abreast of tech developments is non-negotiable. The all-pervasive technology is in all professions: if doctors are relying on AI algorithms to analyse medical images and patient data to identify patterns and anomalies, media professionals cannot be content with keying in stories without a digital presence to boost their stature. Teachers are taking to smartboards and agricultural output is being enhanced by artificial intelligence. In such times, it’s essential that we upgrade and upskill. Jobs aren’t secured by the designation or duration. Employees and entrepreneurs need to be adaptable, flexible and growth-driven. An online course or a weekends-module in new areas of skills are job savers.


The year 2025 isn’t a time to be passive. It’s a year to upgrade and upskill and become relevant. While a Ghibli-style may not improve our tech skills, it’s still a reminder that we must embrace tech and yet, tread cautiously.

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