NaMo LEADS CONNECTS INNOVATES

The two narrators, holding key union ministries, emphasize that PM Narendra Modi excels in creating new ways to communicate, negotiate, and connect—areas where others often fall short, contributing to his global success. PM Modi is deeply fascinated by scientific advancements, constantly exploring and learning from innovations worldwide

PM Narendra Modi, a friend of Sri Lanka through thick & thin - S Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs

In 2019, when Sri Lanka faced tragedy and uncertainty after the Easter bombings, PM Narendra Modi visited the island nation, sending a powerful message of solidarity and confidence. The blasts had devastated the country’s economy that largely depended on tourism as its mainstay. People had literally stopped dropping Sri Lanka from their travel itinerary. Even the security situation was uncertain there at that time. It was during such time that PM Modi became the first leader to land there. This holds a great significance for South Asian politics and global diplomacy. Through the visit, Narendra Modi sent a message to India and the world that ‘here is my vote of confidence’. Sri Lanka realised that here is a man who has come out to help them at the time of need.

Obviously, India did it in a much bigger way when the country later went through the infamous economic crisis. Frankly, the rest of the world didn’t so much for it. India was the first responder to step forward and handhold the neighbouring country, pulling it out of the muck it had sunk in. Today, his revisit to the country continues to strengthen ties, support economic recovery, and showcase India’s enduring commitment to Sri Lanka’s progress. I think he is a different type of leader; his leadership approach is different. Oftentimes I find him thinking beyond the framework of traditional orthodox diplomacy. His tendency of always thinking out of the box and innovating, makes him different. He looks where others can’t and thinks what others don’t. He creates new spaces and methods to communicate, negotiate and bond where other leaders fail. That is one of the unique attributes of his global success story.

Pamban vertical rail lift bridge is shaped by the vision of PM Modi - Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Railways

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always been passionate about science and technology. Advancements in the field of science anywhere in the world have always fascinated Modi ji and he has always ardently lapped up anything new and exciting, tinkering, questioning and learning from them. In doing so, his prime purpose has always been to think of ways to bring them to India as quickly as possible and use it for greater public good. Even the indigenous push on scientific advancement the Modi government has given since the inception of its rule has been unprecedented. Research has seen a major boost in the country under the Modi government’s initiatives. The recently inaugurated Pamban vertical rail lift bridge near Tamil Nadu’s Rameshwaram is an extension of the same vision of Modi ji to bring technology close to the life of the people for mass welfare and long-term benefit. He has always set the highest benchmark for mega projects in India and for the Pamban bridge too, he brought in the best engineers and designers from across the world to create something unique, lasting and cost-effective. He wanted the bridge to be on par with the best in the world and he made it possible. There were multiple challenges to build the bridge as the foundation had to be deep inside the sea. The bridge was to bear the onslaught of high velocity winds of the open sea. Corrosion was to be addressed as salty wind and water could cause early damage to it. It was also to be built to bear long monsoon rains for being in the prime zone of the annual weather pattern. The PM had given clear instructions to the builders that safety should be the utmost priority, and we won’t settle for anything other than the best. Apart from that, costs had to be kept in check and its longterm maintenance cost should also be low. It was really tough for the design team to build something within the parameters of such a strict framework.

But Modi ji’s ideation, motivation and focused support ultimately led to the fruition of India’s first vertical lift bridge. An engineering marvel in its own right, where the older bridge took 30 minutes to open and let ships pass, this new one takes less than six minutes to do the same. Moreover, earlier the maximum height available to passing ships was a clearance of just about 20- ft. Now, the ceiling has been raised to a whopping 236-feet, thanks to the new bridge. The total length of the bridge is 2.1 kms and now the speed of trains moving on it will also see a substantial rise as the old bridge had restricted speed allowance for trains due to its age and condition, which made the need for a new bridge felt even more strongly. There are many remote areas in the country which are in dire need of strong communication networks. People in today’s time aspire for better rail, road and telecom channels for easy and convenient movement and fast, seamless connections. The government under the leadership of Narendra Modi has kept this aspirational India at the forefront of its plans and programmes. This is Modi ji’s strong and clear vision that the best connectivity options should reach each and every corner of the country and no state or people remain unserved, because Modi ji knows that a strong communication network is the backbone of any country’s overall development matrix. And he has worked towards this goal tirelessly, in letter and spirit, bringing about a seachange in the infrastructure landscape of the country to make movement fast, safe and comfortable, and telecommunication secure and uninterrupted.

The new Pamban Bridge — connecting Mandapam to Rameshwaram — where Lord Ram is believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva before embarking on his Lanka journey, is a testament to PM Modi’s vision of futuristic infrastructure and a strong nation standing tall on its infrastructural prowess. Just as the ancient Ram Setu symbolised devotion and resolve, this modern marvel showcases India’s engineering excellence and spiritual continuity as well as effective governance. This isn’t just a bridge — it’s India’s promise to a Viksit Bharat.

COMPILED AND EDITED BY SHASHIKANT SHARMA