DW Bureau / Rahul chaubey / Deoria 

Marking the completion of 12 years of the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre, Deoria MP Shashank Mani, along with party office bearers, visited Gayatripuram in the city and interacted with intellectuals while highlighting the major achievements of the government over the past decade.

Addressing the gathering, Shashank Mani said that the country is witnessing a historic phase under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “These 12 years are not merely a period of governance, but the story of India’s transformation into a stronger, self-reliant and globally respected nation. Under Modi Ji’s leadership, India has removed the word ‘impossible’ from its dictionary,” he said.

He stated that the government’s vision of Antyodaya—upliftment of the last person in society—has reached the grassroots level. “More than 80 crore people are receiving free ration, over 12 crore toilets have been built, 4 crore pucca houses constructed and nearly 10 crore Ujjwala gas connections distributed. Through the Jal Jeevan Mission, tap water has reached around 15 crore households. Ayushman Bharat has provided health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh to nearly 55 crore citizens. These are not just figures; they represent transformed lives,” he added.

Highlighting India’s economic growth, the MP said that India has risen from being the world’s 10th largest economy in 2014 to the 5th largest economy today and is steadily moving toward becoming the third largest economy in the world. He further noted that under the Make in India initiative, India has emerged as the second-largest mobile manufacturing hub globally.

Speaking about the digital revolution, Shashank Mani said India has become a global leader in digital payments through UPI. “Today, more than 1400 crore UPI transactions are taking place every month, showcasing the strength of India’s digital ecosystem,” he said.

On infrastructure development, he said that more than 53,000 kilometres of National Highways have been constructed during the last 12 years. “Vande Bharat trains, expansion of airports, waterways, Bharatmala and Sagarmala projects have accelerated India’s growth. Optical fibre connectivity and 4G-5G services have now reached nearly six lakh villages,” he said.

Referring to national security, the MP stated that surgical strikes and air strikes demonstrated the strength and determination of a “New India that knows how to respond decisively.” He also mentioned the abrogation of Article 370, saying it integrated Jammu and Kashmir more closely with the national mainstream.

Shashank Mani further said that India’s successful leadership during the G20 Presidency elevated the nation’s stature on the global stage. “Today, no major international issue can be discussed without India’s participation,” he remarked.

Talking about cultural and spiritual revival, he said the long-awaited construction of the Ram Temple had become a reality, while projects like the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, Mahakal Lok and Kedarnath redevelopment restored the pride of India’s spiritual heritage. He also emphasized that Yoga and Ayurveda have gained worldwide recognition under the Modi government.

“Twelve years ago, India was often associated with delays and indecisiveness. Today, the nation is recognized for performance, delivery and determination. This remarkable transformation is the result of Prime Minister Modi’s visionary leadership and the hard work of 140 crore Indians,” he added.

Among those present on the occasion were Nagar President Ramesh Verma, Media In-charge Prabhakar Tiwari, Sudhir Srivastava, Nagar Mahamantri Sudhir Madhesia, along with intellectuals and dignitaries including Kailash Nath Chaturvedi, B.D. Pandey, Omprakash Singh, Kushwaha, Anand Mani, Vijay Prasad, Devanandan Yadav and Udaybhan Tiwari.