Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday, 7 October 2025, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and counterterrorism measures, calling his 25-year public service journey an era of sustained nation-building. Chouhan made the remarks at the concluding ceremony of the 'Varanasi to Vadnagar Seva Yatra' in Vadnagar, Gujarat, marking the anniversary of Modi's assumption of charge as Gujarat Chief Minister in 2001.

Key Remarks at the Vadnagar Ceremony

Addressing the gathering, Chouhan described 7 October as a 'historic day', noting it marked 25 years since Modi first took office as Gujarat's chief executive. He framed Modi's tenure not merely as administrative service but as what he called the 'reconstruction and development of the nation.'

'Continuously working for 25 years for the country's development and the welfare of the poor, without stopping or stepping back, is an unprecedented achievement,' Chouhan said.

COVID-19 and Operation Sindoor: Leadership Under Pressure

Chouhan specifically cited India's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the government's approach to terrorism as defining tests of Modi's leadership. He referenced Operation Sindoor among government actions against terrorism, arguing that India's measured yet decisive responses reflected a nation growing in confidence and resolve.

'PM Modi had provided strong leadership to the country during difficult periods, including during the pandemic,' Chouhan emphasised, adding that such episodes underlined India's ability to act with strategic clarity.

Sattvik Karta: The Philosophical Frame

Drawing from the Bhagavad Gita, Chouhan described Modi as a 'Sattvik Karta' — one who acts without attachment, aversion, or ego, driven solely by courage and duty. He also invoked Swami Vivekananda's prophecy that India would rise as a 'Vishwaguru', arguing that this vision was being realised under Modi's leadership.

'Today, under the strong and determined leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is rapidly moving towards achieving this vision,' he said.

The Seva Yatra: 500 Bikers, 10 States

The 'Varanasi to Vadnagar Seva Yatra' was organised as part of the broader 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' to commemorate Modi's quarter-century in public life. The yatra mobilised 500 bikers and young Seva Yatris who traversed 10 states, undertaking cleanliness drives, tree plantation campaigns, de-addiction outreach, and community interactions along the route.

As a symbolic gesture of cultural continuity, sacred water from Vadnagar's Sharmishtha Lake was carried to the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, while water from Varanasi was used for Jalabhishek at Vadnagar's Hatkeshwar Mahadev temple — underlining the spiritual and historical ties between the two cities.

Senior Leaders in Attendance

The event drew prominent political figures, including Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, and state BJP president Jagdish Vishwakarma. Participating bikers and Seva Yatris were felicitated at the ceremony. Chouhan urged young attendees to translate patriotism into action, saying, 'Young people should remain committed to national service and development.'

The ceremony marks the formal close of a month-long outreach that has sought to anchor PM Modi's governance record in a narrative of unbroken public service — with more events under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan expected to follow.