CM Gujarat Marks 12 Years of 'Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi'
Synopsis
The Chief Minister's Office of Gujarat has marked 12 years of PM Narendra Modi's 'Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi' philosophy, crediting the dual development-and-heritage approach with transforming India's cultural tourism landscape and elevating the country's heritage on the global stage.
Key Takeaways
The Chief Minister's Office of Gujarat posted on 18 June 2026 to mark 12 years of PM Modi's 'Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi' mantra.
The post credits the philosophy with launching a renaissance of pride in Indian culture and historical heritage .
The PRASAD scheme (2014) and Swadesh Darshan scheme (2015) are the two flagship programmes operationalising this approach.
Heritage tourism stakeholders include the tourism industry , pilgrims, and local communities near monuments.
Gujarat has positioned itself as a model for the development-heritage framework, citing sites such as Somnath, Dwarka, and the Statue of Unity .
The anniversary is expected to precede further announcements on heritage circuit development and tourism infrastructure funding .
The Chief Minister's Office of Gujarat on Thursday, 18 June 2026, marked 12 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi' (Development as well as Heritage) philosophy, calling it the dawn of a new era of pride in Indian culture and historical heritage.
Context
The post, shared by the Chief Minister's Office of Gujarat, states that PM Modi's guiding mantra — 'Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi' (Development as well as Heritage) — has, over the past 12 years, ushered in a renaissance celebrating Indian civilisation and its historical legacy. It further notes that through the modern development of India's rich heritage, the country's tourism destinations have gained 'a new dimension', and India's 'divinity and grandeur' have been celebrated across the world. The hashtag #12YearsOfVikasBhiVirasatBhi anchors the post within a broader commemorative campaign marking a dozen years of this policy approach at the national level.Policy Backdrop
The 'Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi' philosophy has been operationalised through two flagship central government schemes. The PRASAD scheme (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive), launched in 2014, was designed to upgrade infrastructure at heritage and religious sites across India. Complementing it, the Swadesh Darshan scheme, introduced in 2015, focused on developing theme-based tourist circuits centred on cultural and historical destinations. Together, these programmes represent an integrated approach combining physical infrastructure upgrades at historical sites with cultural promotion. The stated aim has been to simultaneously boost domestic and inbound tourism while projecting India's soft power through heritage diplomacy.Stakeholders and Impact
The beneficiaries of this policy arc span a wide cross-section: the tourism industry, pilgrims and heritage-site visitors, and local communities residing near monuments and circuits. By channelling investment into site infrastructure and connectivity, the central government's approach has sought to convert cultural assets into economic engines for surrounding regions. Gujarat, as the home state of PM Modi, has frequently positioned itself as a model for this dual development-heritage framework. State-level communications from the Chief Minister's Office have consistently amplified the national narrative, linking Gujarat's own heritage tourism projects — including initiatives around Somnath, Dwarka, Pavagadh, and the Statue of Unity — to the broader 'Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi' mandate.What's Next
Attention will now turn to the next phases of heritage circuit projects and any fresh budgetary allocations for tourism infrastructure in upcoming central or state budgets. As the campaign marks this 12-year milestone, observers will watch whether the anniversary translates into new policy announcements or expanded funding for sites currently under development. The broader trajectory suggests that heritage tourism will remain a core pillar of both national cultural policy and Gujarat's state-level development narrative going forward.Point of View
Virasat Bhi' framing has served a dual purpose since 2014: it neutralises the perceived binary between modernisation and tradition, and it gives the BJP a cultural vocabulary that resonates with a broad electoral base. Marking 12 years with a dedicated hashtag campaign signals that the ruling establishment views heritage policy not merely as governance but as a durable brand asset. The real test of the philosophy's impact will come in the next budget cycle, where allocations for PRASAD and Swadesh Darshan will reveal whether the rhetoric is matched by sustained fiscal commitment.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi' and who coined it?
'Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi' — meaning 'Development as well as Heritage' — is a policy philosophy associated with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasising that economic development and the preservation of India's cultural heritage must go hand in hand. It has guided central government tourism and heritage policy since 2014.
What is the PRASAD scheme in India?
The PRASAD scheme (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) was launched by the central government in 2014 to upgrade infrastructure at heritage and religious sites across India, improving facilities for pilgrims and tourists alike.
What is the Swadesh Darshan scheme?
Swadesh Darshan is a central government scheme introduced in 2015 to develop theme-based tourist circuits focused on India's cultural and historical destinations, aiming to boost domestic tourism and promote heritage sites.
Why is Gujarat's CMO posting about PM Modi's heritage policy?
Gujarat is PM Modi's home state, and the Chief Minister's Office regularly amplifies national policy narratives. The post marks 12 years of the 'Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi' philosophy, linking Gujarat's own heritage tourism projects to the broader central government initiative.
Which Gujarat heritage sites are linked to the Vikas Bhi Virasat Bhi initiative?
Key Gujarat heritage and tourism sites associated with this policy framework include Somnath, Dwarka, Pavagadh, and the Statue of Unity, all of which have seen infrastructure investment under central and state government schemes since 2014.
