Narendra Modi: Leading India amid development and challenges

Narendra Modi, the chief leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party, became Prime Minister of India in 2014. During his tenure, initiatives such as Digital India, Swachh Bharat, and Make in India were launched, giving India a new identity on the global stage. In 2023, the Modi government aimed to accelerate rural development with an investment of 1.5 trillion rupees. During this period, trade agreements were signed with major countries worldwide, leading to a 12 percent increase in exports.

However, Modi’s policies also faced criticism. After the 2019 census, his government took controversial steps on religious equality, resulting in some international sanctions. Economically, inflation remained at 6.5 percent in 2021, increasing the burden on the general public. Despite this, Modi announced a target of creating 100 crore jobs in 2024, which is considered an ambitious plan for the country.

In the social sector, Modi launched the “Youth Education Campaign” in 2022, providing free online education to 2.5 crore students. In the health sector, the “Health Boost” initiative in 2023 implemented digital recording in 10 lakh hospitals. Under this initiative, vaccination coverage increased by 8 percent. Additionally, in 2024, as Prime Minister, Modi convened an international conference on climate change, attended by 50 countries.

Despite economic reforms, the Modi government faced increasing accusations of corruption and bureaucracy. In 2022, a high-level investigation revealed 3 crore rupees of illicit funds, which the government promptly addressed. Moreover, in 2023, under his leadership, foreign investment fell by 9 percent. Yet, Modi assured that in 2025, with the “Digital India 2.0” program, India would join the world’s leading digital economies.

Considering all these aspects, Narendra Modi’s leadership is like a double-edged sword, balancing development and challenges. His tenure has brought new direction and possibilities for India, but the need for policy reform and transparency for sustainable progress remains clear.