Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday recalled the economic challenges he said India was facing when he began his journey in government, saying there was widespread pessimism about the country and
its prospects.
“People around the world would say our economy is a gone case,” PM Modi said, adding that “growth was not stable, inflation was through the roof”.
The prime minister said the pessimism was not limited to economic indicators and that India needed to regain confidence in itself. “The country that was drowned in negativity needed a new belief,” he said. “Then I did what I know,” Modi added.
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The remarks came as PM Modi marked 25 years in government. He took oath as the chief minister of Gujarat on October 7, 2001, beginning a quarter-century journey that would later take him to the Prime Minister’s Office.
“When I took oath as the Chief Minister of Gujarat on October 7, 2001, I never thought that I would ever reach this milestone,” PM Modi said. Reflecting on the journey, Modi credited the people of the country for his continued stint in public life. “Today, I have completed 25 years of continuous service. This is the result of the people’s constant blessings and support,” he said. “I express my gratitude to all the people of the country,” Modi said, adding that he bowed before the people of the country. He also thanked all the parties that are part of the National Democratic Alliance.
‘Those Who Brought Me Down Taught Me How To Rise Again’
PM Modi also reflected on the role played by his political opponents and setbacks in shaping his journey, saying that difficult experiences had taught him important lessons.
“Those who brought me down taught me how to rise again,” he said. “Those who opposed me showed me the power of democracy,” Modi added.
He said that, in retrospect, none of his experiences had been wasted. “Nothing that happened in my life went to waste; every experience taught me something,” he said.
