Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Wednesday, 10 June wrote a detailed congratulatory letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi marking the completion of 12 consecutive years in office, crediting his leadership with strengthening India's global standing, expanding welfare delivery, advancing infrastructure, and accelerating Gujarat's development through a series of landmark projects.

Key Tribute and Core Message

Writing on behalf of the people of Gujarat, Patel said Modi's tenure had enhanced the prestige of India and Indians worldwide and had been defined by 'trust, development and public welfare.' 'On behalf of all the citizens of Gujarat, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you on completing 12 continuous and successful years as Prime Minister. Your tenure has enhanced the pride of India and Indians across the world,' Patel wrote.

The Chief Minister specifically cited the international honours and awards conferred on Modi, saying they had 'filled every Gujarati with immense pride.' He also referenced India's military responses to terrorism — including the Surgical Strike, Air Strike, and Operation Sindoor — as moments that made every Indian citizen proud.

Governance Philosophy and Welfare Reach

Patel recalled Modi's pledge at the start of his first term to prioritise the poor, deprived, and marginalised. He said the guiding principle of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas' had evolved into a national commitment shaping governance over the past decade-plus.

On welfare delivery, Patel said a saturation approach had ensured schemes reached every eligible citizen, realising the concept of 'Ease of Living' for the first time. He noted that 25 crore people had come out of poverty under Modi's leadership, describing it as 'a historic achievement.' The Modi government has consistently highlighted poverty reduction, housing, sanitation, healthcare, financial inclusion, and infrastructure expansion among its major accomplishments.

Patel also pointed to India becoming the world's third-largest start-up ecosystem as evidence of the success of programmes such as Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, adding that the country was progressing towards becoming the world's third-largest economy.

Gujarat's Growth Under Modi's Vision

A substantial portion of the letter focused on Gujarat, which Patel described as Modi's 'birthplace and karmabhoomi.' He said the state had benefited from Modi's leadership for more than 25 years and had gained fresh momentum after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formed governments at both the Centre and in the state, creating what Patel called a 'double-engine government.'

Patel credited Modi with resolving the long-pending Narmada project dispute just 17 days after assuming office in 2014, granting permission for the installation of gates and enabling what he called 'a water revolution.' He said the SAUNI project and the Narmada canal network had since brought water to drought-prone regions of Saurashtra and Kutch, contributing to agricultural growth.

Flagship Projects and Infrastructure

The letter highlighted several landmark projects, including the Statue of Unity at Ekta Nagar, Sabarmati Riverfront Development, the ongoing redevelopment of Sabarmati Ashram, GIFT City, Dholera Special Investment Region, the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, PM Gati Shakti University, National Forensic Sciences University, and Rashtriya Raksha University.

On connectivity, Patel cited the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train, a greenfield airport at Dholera, and a proposed Ahmedabad-Dholera semi-high-speed rail link as projects set to further strengthen the state's infrastructure. He also noted that Gujarat leads in rooftop solar installations under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and is home to the hybrid renewable energy park in Kutch and the solar village at Modhera.

On semiconductors, Patel said six semiconductor plants in Dholera and Sanand had positioned Gujarat to become the country's semiconductor hub. He also referenced heritage and cultural projects under the 'Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi' theme, including the Lothal Maritime Heritage Museum, the Dwarka, Somnath, and Ambaji corridors, and the archaeological museum at Vadnagar.

Road Ahead: Viksit Gujarat and Viksit Bharat

Patel said Gujarat is preparing for the 75th anniversary of its formation in 2035 and has developed a roadmap for 'Viksit Gujarat @75' under the principle of 'Earning Well, Living Well.' He expressed confidence that Modi's leadership would guide the country toward the broader goal of 'Viksit Bharat 2047', and signed off with a call for India to fulfil the resolve of becoming a Vishwaguru.