PM Modi Marks 25 Years in Office With Heartfelt Oath Ceremony Recall

Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked a personal and political milestone on Tuesday, commemorating 25 years since he took oath as Chief Minister of Gujarat on October 7, 2001. In a heartfelt thread on X, the 74-year-old leader shared a series of throwback images from his swearing-in ceremony, alongside nostalgic reflections on his mother's advice and the transformative journey that followed. Tagging the occasion as one of "countless blessings", Modi expressed profound gratitude to the people of India for their unwavering trust, positioning the anniversary as a reaffirmation of his commitment to inclusive governance and national progress.

The post, which quickly garnered thousands of likes and reposts, opens with a black-and-white photograph capturing Modi's solemn oath-taking moment in Gandhinagar, surrounded by BJP dignitaries. He recounted his late mother Hiraben's poignant words upon assuming the role: "I do not have much understanding of your work, but I only seek two things. First, you will always work for the poor, and second, you will never take a bribe." Modi emphasised how these principles guided his tenure, vowing to serve "the very last person in the queue" with integrity. Subsequent images from his 2014 and 2019 prime ministerial oaths bridged his state-level beginnings to national leadership, symbolising continuity in his vision of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" (development for all).

Modi's narrative traces Gujarat's revival under his stewardship, from a state plagued by droughts, power shortages, and stagnant agriculture to a model of economic vibrancy. "Gujarat, a drought-prone state, became a top-performing state in agriculture. The culture of trading expanded into robust industrial and manufacturing capacities. Regular curfews became a thing of the past," he wrote, crediting collective efforts for infrastructure boosts and social harmony.

Transitioning to his national role, he highlighted the 2014 mandate as a rejection of the previous UPA government's "corruption, cronyism, and policy paralysis," leading to India's emergence as a "bright spot" in global economies. Key achievements cited include lifting 25 crore people out of poverty, empowering women (Nari Shakti) and youth (Yuva Shakti), and fostering self-reliance (Aatmanirbhar Bharat) through farmer innovations and expansive social security schemes.

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The anniversary post arrives amid Modi's third term, following the BJP-led NDA's victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and underscores his enduring popularity in Gujarat, where he served four terms before ascending to the Prime Minister's office in 2014. Political analysts view the reflection as a subtle reminder of his grassroots credentials ahead of upcoming state polls and the 2029 general elections. Supporters flooded the comments with messages of admiration, while the thread's emphasis on constitutional values and poverty alleviation aligns with ongoing initiatives like PM Awas Yojana and Ayushman Bharat.

As Modi pledged to intensify efforts for a "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India), the milestone serves as both a personal homage and a rallying cry for sustained national transformation.

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