President Droupadi Murmu today wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi describing 12 years of his rule as a glorious chapter in India’s democratic journey and hailed him for “igniting youth energy to script stories of excellence”.
In a two-page letter coinciding with Modi surpassing first PM Jawaharlal Nehru as India’s longest serving prime minister, Murmu said, “As the people of the country mark the milestone of you serving as India’s longest continuously elected Prime Minister, completing 4,399 days dedicated in the service of the
people, I extend my warm congratulations to you."
The President said the milestone was not merely a matter of the longest duration in public office but an affirmation of the confidence of people in Modi’s leadership across successive elections.
“In a nation as vast, diverse and vibrant as ours, public trust is among the highest honours that can be bestowed upon a citizen. That this trust in you has been renewed time
and again over the years, testifies to a glorious chapter in the democratic journey of our Republic," Murmu wrote.
In the letter, she listed a range of government policies and campaigns, especially the approach of Jan Bhagidari and financial inclusion.
“India has witnessed significant transformations across all facets of national life. Efforts towards financial inclusion have brought crores into the formal economic system – the huge number of women beneficiaries in this endeavour is even more heartening. Today, India’s Nari Shakti is not only emerging as an equal participant in India’s development journey, but she is leading it; a true reflection of Women-led Development," the letter read.
The President also hailed the use of technology to make governance more transparent, efficient, accountable and accessible.
“Welfare delivery has become more targeted and effective, ensuring that the benefits of development reach citizens with greater speed and transparency, generating stronger trust among them," she said, describing “changing relationship between the citizen and the government they elect as the most notable feature of Modi’s term."
Development has increasingly been shaped by the principles of Jan Bhagidari, dignity and equal opportunity, said the President, adding that people instead of standing at the periphery of economic and social progress are now active partners in India’s growth story.
Murmu made a special mention of the PM-JANMAN scheme for the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups and the development across hitherto under-served areas of East and northeast.
“In recent years, regions that had long remained outside the principal arc of India’s development story have received special attention and care under your leadership. This is especially true about the eastern and North-Eastern part of India which had lagged behind in terms of development indicators," she said, lauding the PM’s rise from humble beginnings to the PMO.
“Your rise to becoming India’s longest-serving elected Prime Minister, continuously serving the people, reaffirms one of the most inspiring features of Indian democracy. It demonstrates that in our Republic, public life remains open to all those who dedicate themselves to service, commitment and hard work for the betterment of the nation," she said.
Amid protests by the Cockroach Janta Party, the President also said that PM Modi has ignited the creativity and energy of our talented youth who are scripting impressive stories of excellence.
