PM recalls taking oath as Gujarat Chief Minister in 2001
PM shares mother’s advice to always work for the poor and never take a bribe
PM recounts Gujarat’s transformation from a drought-prone state to a powerhouse of good governance
PM reaffirms commitment to work harder to realise the dream of a Viksit Bharat
NEW DELHI, OCTOBER 07, 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed gratitude to the people of India as he enters the 25th year of serving as the head of the government. Recalling his journey since taking oath as the Chief Minister of Gujarat on this day in 2001, the Prime Minister said that it has been his constant endeavour to improve the lives of people and contribute to the progress of the nation.
The Prime Minister said that he was entrusted with the responsibility of being Gujarat’s Chief Minister in very testing circumstances. The state was suffering due to a massive earthquake that year and had also faced a super cyclone, successive droughts and political instability in the preceding years. He said these challenges strengthened the resolve to serve people and rebuild Gujarat with renewed vigour and hope.
Shri Modi remembered his mother’s words when he took oath as Chief Minister, that he should always work for the poor and never take a bribe. He said he had assured people that whatever he does will be with the best intent and inspired by the vision to serve the very last person in the queue.
Reflecting on his tenure in Gujarat, the Prime Minister said that at the time, people believed the state could never rise again. Farmers complained of a lack of power and water, agriculture was in the doldrums, and industrial growth was stagnant. He said that through collective effort, Gujarat transformed into a powerhouse of good governance. The state, once drought-prone, became a top performer in agriculture, trading expanded into manufacturing and industrial capacities, and social as well as physical infrastructure received a boost.
The Prime Minister said that in 2013, he was given the responsibility of being the Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, when the nation was witnessing a crisis of trust and governance. He said the people of India gave a thumping majority to his alliance and an absolute majority to his Party, ushering in an era of renewed confidence and purpose.
The Prime Minister noted that over the last 11 years, India has achieved many transformations. Over 25 crore people have been lifted out of poverty, and the country has emerged as a bright spot among major global economies. He said that people across India, especially Nari Shakti, Yuva Shakti and hardworking Annadatas, have been empowered through path-breaking efforts and reforms.
He added that the popular sentiment today is to make India Aatmanirbhar across all sectors, reflected in the call of ‘Garv Se Kaho, Yeh Swadeshi Hai.’
Reiterating his gratitude to the people of India for their continuous trust and affection, the Prime Minister said that to serve the nation is the highest honour. Guided by the values of the Constitution, he reaffirmed his commitment to work even harder to realise the collective dream of a Viksit Bharat.
In a series of X post, the Prime Minister said;
“On this day in 2001, I took the oath as Gujarat’s Chief Minister for the first time. Thanks to the continuous blessings of my fellow Indians, I am entering my 25th year of serving as the head of the Government. My gratitude to the people of India. Through all these years, it has been my constant endeavour to improve the lives of our people and contribute to the progress of this great nation that has nurtured us all.”
“It was in very testing circumstances that my Party entrusted me with the responsibility of being Gujarat CM. The state was suffering due to a massive earthquake in the same year. The preceding years had witnessed a super cyclone, successive droughts and political instability. Those challenges strengthened the resolve to serve people and rebuild Gujarat with renewed vigour and hope.”
“When I took oath as Chief Minister, I remember my Mother telling me – 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. I also told people that whatever I do will be with the best intent and will be inspired by a vision to serve the very last person in the queue.”
“These 25 years have been filled with many experiences. Together, we have made remarkable strides. I still recall that when I took over as CM, it was believed that Gujarat could never rise again. Common citizens, including farmers, complained about a lack of power and water. Agriculture was in the doldrums, and industrial growth was stagnant. From there, we all worked collectively to make Gujarat a powerhouse of good governance.”
“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. Social and physical infrastructure received a boost. It was very satisfying to be able to work with the people to achieve these outcomes.”
“In 2013, I was given the responsibility of being the Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. In those days, the nation was witnessing a crisis of trust and governance. The then UPA Government was synonymous with the worst form of corruption, cronyism and policy paralysis. India was seen as a weak link in the global order. But, the wisdom of the people of India gave our alliance a thumping majority and also ensured that our Party got an absolute majority, a first after 3 long decades.”
“Over the last 11 years, We The People of India have worked together and achieved many transformations. Our path-breaking efforts have empowered people from all across India, especially our Nari Shakti, Yuva Shakti and hardworking Annadatas. Over 25 crore people have been removed from the clutches of poverty. India is seen as a bright spot among major global economies. We are home to one of the largest healthcare and social security schemes in the world. Our farmers are innovating and ensuring that our nation is self-reliant. We have undertaken extensive reforms and the popular sentiment is to make India Aatmanirbhar across all sectors, reflecting in the clarion call of ‘Garv Se Kaho, Yeh Swadeshi Hai.’”
“I once again thank the people of India for their continuous trust and affection. To serve our beloved nation is the highest honour, a duty that fills me with gratitude and purpose. With the values of our Constitution as my constant guide, I will work even harder in the times to come to realise our collective dream of a Viksit Bharat.”
About the Author
