Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday celebrated Gujarat’s remarkable journey from a modest salt-producing region to a global diamond hub and called on the state to set an ambitious roadmap for its future. Speaking at the 20th anniversary celebration of Gujarat’s Urban Growth Story in Gandhinagar, PM Modi urged the people of Gujarat to plan for the state’s 75th year in 2035 and align it with India’s larger national vision of becoming a developed nation—Viksit Bharat—by 2047.
“When Gujarat was formed in 1960, there were doubts about its progress. It was only known for salt. Today, the same Gujarat is recognised worldwide for its diamonds. This shows what determination and vision can achieve,” the Prime Minister said. “As Gujarat turns 75 in 2035 and India aims to host the Olympics in 2036, we must set goals across industries like education, agriculture, sports, and urban development.”
Linking the public sentiment around Operation Sindoor—India’s recent precision strikes against terror infrastructure in Pakistan—to national development, PM Modi said, “On May 6, our brave armed forces launched Operation Sindoor. But now, it’s time for this operation to be powered by the strength of the people. Every citizen must become a contributor to Viksit Bharat.”
He appealed to citizens to support the movement by promoting local products and reducing dependence on foreign goods. “Let’s pledge that our village traders, even if tempted by profits, will not sell foreign goods. Sadly, even Ganesh idols now come from abroad, and their eyes don’t even open properly. For Operation Sindoor to succeed, I urge you to list how many foreign products you use in a day and find ways to replace them with Indian alternatives.”
Reflecting on his time as Gujarat’s Chief Minister, Modi explained how dedicating individual years to specific themes such as urban development or girls’ education helped create a “whole of government” approach. “The biggest obstacle to good governance is the presence of silos. Departments don’t coordinate. But when we declared 2005 as the Year of Urban Development, we broke those barriers. Every department came together to push for the same goal.”
PM Modi also spoke about changing outdated administrative mindsets. “Once a Congress leader said the country’s problems could be solved if two things happened: politicians learned to say ‘no,’ and bureaucrats learned to say ‘yes.’ That’s the mindset we must change.”
He praised Gujarat’s transformation in tourism, noting how once-ignored destinations like Kutch have now become major tourist attractions. “Who would have thought Kutch, which people once avoided, is now so popular that you can’t even find a hotel room?”
Throughout his two-day visit to Gujarat, covering cities like Vadodara, Dahod, Bhuj, Ahmedabad, and Gandhinagar, PM Modi said he witnessed a deep sense of patriotism and national pride. “The roar of Operation Sindoor is not just echoing in Gujarat—it’s resonating across the nation. India has made up its mind to uproot the thorn of terrorism and has done so with conviction.”
The Prime Minister’s address was a call to action, blending Gujarat’s growth story with India’s larger aspirations of self-reliance, security, and global leadership by the centenary of independence in 2047.
