Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated his 75th birthday last week. It is a moment to reflect on his extraordinary journey of leadership and the policies that have reshaped both Gujarat and India over the last two decades. Having engaged with his government as a professional, mentored startups in the ecosystem he nurtured, witnessed Gujarat’s rise as a resident, and observed India’s growing global stature, I can say with conviction that his vision has been transformative.
My professional engagement with his government began during his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat. His ability to combine policy clarity with on-ground execution stood out. The Vibrant Gujarat Summits transformed the State into a global investment destination, attracting domestic and international investors and putting Gujarat firmly on the world map.
Key reforms during this time solved basic challenges while laying the foundation for long-term growth. One of his boldest ideas was GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City), now India’s first International Financial Services Centre. Today it anchors India’s ambition to become a hub for fintech, offshore finance, and global innovation.
What began in Gujarat has now scaled to the national stage. Industrial corridors, renewable energy parks, and large-scale infrastructure projects find echoes in initiatives like the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, PLI schemes, and India’s new push to manufacture semiconductors. The continuity of vision is unmistakable.
At the national level, sweeping reforms such as the GST, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, and the PM GatiShakti Master Plan have strengthened India’s economic foundations. Flagship initiatives like Make in India and Digital India have carried forward the momentum he first demonstrated in Gujarat.
India’s startup story is inseparable from Prime Minister Modi’s vision. The launch of Startup India in 2016 created a framework that simplified regulations, offered tax incentives, and provided funding support to entrepreneurs. Today, India has one of the world’s largest startup ecosystems, with unicorns emerging across fintech, healthtech, and deeptech.
Initiatives like India Stack and the global success of UPI have democratised technology and finance, creating opportunities at an unprecedented scale. As a mentor to startups, I have seen first-hand how this digital backbone allows entrepreneurs to dream big, even in smaller cities. Support structures such as the Fund of Funds for Startups and government-led incubators have further encouraged innovation. Unsurprisingly, this ecosystem has attracted global venture capital and sovereign wealth funds, reinforcing India’s position as a vibrant market for innovation.
On a personal level, I have witnessed the transformation of Gujarat over three decades of having moved there in the ‘90s. From getting the basics like round-the-clock power, to projects that provided water to villages and cities, to a network of modern highways and ports spurred economic activity. Early investments in renewable energy and industrial corridors set benchmarks later adopted nationwide. Gujarat’s rise as the “growth engine of India” was not just a slogan; it was something residents like me lived every day.
In addition to these domestic transformations, I have also witnessed the changing global perception of India. My professional engagements have taken me across continents, and since living in the UK from 2017, I have seen first-hand how the world increasingly views India with respect, curiosity, and admiration.
In conversations with policymakers, investors, and academics abroad, I have sensed a new confidence in engaging with India, not just as a large market but as a country shaping the global agenda. That shift in perception is directly linked to the Prime Minister’s vision of India as a “Vishwaguru”, a nation confident of its civilizational strengths and modern capabilities.
Looking back at the last two decades, a common thread runs through Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the belief that India can achieve world-class standards, and the will to make it happen. From powering rural homes in Gujarat to enabling digital payments for millions, and from uplifting India’s global stature to inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs, his policies have consistently focused on empowerment, enterprise, and pride.
On his 75th birthday, I feel fortunate to have experienced this journey as a professional engaging with his government, as a mentor seeing startups thrive under his initiatives, as an individual who witnessed Gujarat’s extraordinary rise, and as a global citizen observing India’s enhanced stature in the world. His leadership has touched every aspect of my life, and I remain confident that his vision will continue to inspire future generations.
