Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], June 10 (ANI): Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Tuesday said that the 11 years of the Modi government mark a 'golden era' for the growth and development of India.

Addressing a press conference at Gujarat BJP headquarters here along with Union Minister and Gujarat BJP President CR Patil, Chief Minister Patel said, 'On behalf of Gujarat and its citizens, heartfelt congratulations to PM Modi on completing 11 years as the Prime Minister. These years mark a golden era of growth for India. People now trust the government more because of its consistent and inclusive development.'

CM Patel recalled how PM Modi had pledged to prioritise the welfare of the poor and marginalised when he assumed office. He has fulfilled that promise with legal reforms and welfare initiatives.

The Chief Minister praised PM Modi's leadership for the surgical and air strikes that ensured internal security and established peace. He also said, 'Gujarat has benefited from a 'double engine' government under PM Modi's central leadership.'

He further stated, 'India's first bullet train project is being executed in Gujarat. Vande Bharat and Namo Bharat trains have started operations, and the state has achieved 100 per cent electrification of railway lines. Rajkot and Surat have international airports, and Ahmedabad has been recognised as a World Heritage City.'

Speaking about Gujarat's progress under various Central government schemes, CM Patel said, 'Under the Smart Cities Mission, six cities from Gujarat have been selected. Gujarat is evolving into a global industrial hub, thanks to initiatives like the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, leading to increased employment. Gujarat is leading in fields like machine learning, AI, and semiconductors. Defence aircraft manufacturing has begun in Vadodara. PM Modi has gifted Gujarat with institutions like Gati Shakti University, IN-SPACe, and the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine.'

Praising Prime Minister Modi, the Chief Minister stated, 'Under his leadership, India is tackling global challenges like climate change with green growth initiatives. Asia's largest hybrid renewable energy park is coming up in Khavda, Kutch. To increase green cover, the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign was launched, and Gujarat planted 17.5 crore trees. The state contributed significantly to groundwater recharge through the Catch the Rain campaign.'

'Thanks to various agricultural initiatives, 10 lakh farmers are now practising natural farming. PM Modi's focus on women empowerment has led to 4.5 lakh women in Gujarat becoming 'Lakhpati Didis.' Tourism and culture have also grown. His 11 years in office represent a golden chapter of India's development,' he added.

The Chief Minister concluded by expressing confidence that Gujarat will continue to benefit from PM Modi's vision even in the journey toward a developed India by 2047.

Addressing the media, Union Minister CR Paatil said that after Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, PM Narendra Modi is the only leader to have served as Prime Minister for 11 continuous years, and the work done in these years surpasses the work done in the 16-18 years of previous regimes.

He further said that India saw true inclusive development first in Gujarat and now nationwide. PM Modi's 11 years in office have been extraordinary and will be recorded in golden letters. He transformed the country's political culture, which earlier revolved around appeasement and division for political gains.

Patil described Modi's government as a responsible one, which the people trust fully. The entire world is now looking at India with hope. India's presidency of the G-20 was made possible by PM Modi's capable leadership.

He said, 'The BJP government has ensured that all the benefits of good governance and welfare policies reach the people. Under Modi's leadership, decisions were taken boldly and efficiently, whether it was the abrogation of Article 370 or the criminalisation of triple talaq. Under his tenure, India built the world's highest railway bridge in Jammu and Kashmir.'

Speaking on the economy, Paatil noted that India moved from the 10th to the 5th largest economy, and is now progressing toward becoming the 4th and eventually the 3rd largest. During the Congress era, India had an economist Prime Minister, but it was PM Modi who took the economy forward significantly.

He added, 'Over 81 crore people are receiving free food grains under the Garib Kalyan Yojana, and 25 crore have been lifted out of poverty. PM Modi ensured potable water to over 15 crore rural households under the Har Ghar Jal Yojana, and Rs 6,000 annual aid to farmers under PM Kisan Yojana.'

The Union Minister also highlighted India's proactive operations like Operation Devi Shakti (Afghanistan), Operation Rahat (Yemen), Operation Vaccine (delivering vaccines to over 115 countries), and Operation Sindhur (striking terrorist camps in Pakistan). Under Modi's leadership, India responds strongly to terrorism with indigenously built weapons.

Speaking on healthcare, CR Paatil said that more than 15 crore people benefited from free treatment under Ayushman Bharat, and schemes like 'Lakhpati Didi' have empowered women. Ujjwala Yojana has provided over 10 crore free gas connections, and the Jal Jeevan Mission has brought relief to 25 crore women.

He concluded by stating that the Modi government has exceeded public expectations in delivering quality and timely results, and he congratulated PM Modi and his government for completing 11 impactful years. (ANI)