Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Friday, 19 June said that more than 4 crore permanent houses have been constructed across India over the past 12 years under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), enabling lakhs of families who once lived in makeshift shelters to access dignified housing. He made the remarks while addressing the 'NAMO Yuva Samvad: Viksit Bharat Blueprint' programme at the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) in Gandhinagar.

Key Developments at the Gandhinagar Event

The programme was organised to engage young people in the vision of a developed India and to channel their ideas into the national development agenda. Deputy CM Sanghavi interacted directly with students and youth participants, speaking at length about the objectives of 'Viksit Bharat 2047' — the government's long-term blueprint for transforming India into a developed nation by the centenary of its independence.

The event also marked the celebration of 12 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's governance. During the programme, Sanghavi released a book titled 'Narendra Modi Ek Sarjak', authored by Gujarat Sahitya Academy chairman Bhagyesh Jha.

What Sanghavi Said on Housing and Financial Inclusion

Sanghavi said that before 2014, a large section of India's poor were compelled to live in temporary dwellings with little access to basic amenities. 'These figures are not merely government schemes but represent the nation's firm commitment to improving the standard of living of the poor,' he said.

On financial inclusion, he noted that more than half of the country's poor and middle-class families had previously remained outside the formal banking system. According to Sanghavi, those households now hold bank accounts for the first time — a shift he attributed to government-led financial outreach programmes initiated after 2014.

Infrastructure, Airports, and Rail Connectivity

The Deputy Chief Minister cited several infrastructure milestones, including the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and the Atal Tunnel, which he said had significantly cut travel time and fuel costs. He added that by 2026, India had developed two-and-a-half times more airports than existed from Independence until 2014.

Through the UDAN scheme, he said, ordinary citizens and senior citizens are increasingly able to travel by air at affordable fares. On rail connectivity, Sanghavi said Vande Bharat trains and the upcoming Bullet Train project would not only save commute time but would positively influence the social lives of lakhs who travel daily for work.

GIFT City, Social Media, and a Message to Youth

Sanghavi highlighted the development of GIFT City in Gujarat, saying a project once dismissed by critics as a 'daydream' had evolved into a recognised global financial centre. He advised young entrepreneurs to build long-term, sustainable business models rather than chasing short-term gains.

Addressing the role of social media, Sanghavi urged young people to avoid spreading unverified rumours and misinformation, and instead seek out factual information. He also invoked Prime Minister Modi's personal journey as a source of inspiration, saying: 'When you feel disheartened, read about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's life and his books, and find the path forward through hard work.'

As India's youth engagement programmes intensify ahead of the Viksit Bharat 2047 timeline, events like these are expected to grow in frequency and scale across states.