THE MODI BLUEPRINT, REDEFINING GOVERNANCE THROUGH DIRECT ACCOUNTABILITY

Narrators recall PM Narendra Modi’s leadership as a shift from institutional distance to practical, accessible governance. By bypassing intermediaries, his administration has built deep grassroots trust while directly empowering India’s farmers

PM’s Kisan Nidhi Samman changed our lives - Shyama Charan Upadhyay, Farmer, Kasganj, UP

As a farmer, I have witnessed remarkable changes in agriculture over the past twelve years. During this journey of a new India, the welfare and prosperity of farmers have remained a top priority of the Modi government, and several initiatives have brought meaningful improvements to our lives.

I had a deep interest in farming, so I had formed a small group of farmers in my village for a collective cause.

I still remember a time when arranging money for farming was one of our biggest challenges. Before every sowing season, I often had to borrow funds at high interest rates from the local lenders to purchase seeds, fertilisers, and other essential inputs. The burden of these loans would remain with us throughout the season, creating uncertainty and financial stress for our families. We had nowhere to go and no one to look up to.

Today, the situation is very different. The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme has become a major source of support for farmers like me. The financial assistance reaches us directly in our bank accounts and on time, especially when we need it most during the sowing season. This timely support helps us purchase agricultural inputs without depending on moneylenders or taking costly loans. Earlier this was not so. There were schemes, but the system was such that the money meant for us hardly reached us in full and in time. Modi ji changed all that.

The biggest change is not just financial assistance but the confidence it has given us. Knowing that support will arrive directly in our bank accounts allows us to plan our farming activities better and focus on improving productivity rather than worrying about arranging funds.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the approach of directly benefiting farmers has strengthened trust between the government and the farming community. The emphasis on transparency and direct transfer of benefits has ensured that assistance reaches the intended beneficiaries without unnecessary delays.

For farmers like me, the PMKISAN Nidhi is more than a scheme. It is a source of security, confidence, and empowerment that has helped us move forward with greater hope for the future.

When I had the opportunity to interact with the PM online during the Kisan Samman Nidhi launch, he gave us important tips to improve our farming and urged us not to use chemical fertilisers for the betterment of health. He also encouraged my small initiative, pushing me to help more farmers. Such interaction is invaluable.

PM Modi is a practical man, takes quick decisions - SC Jamir, Former Nagaland CM

I had the privilege of serving as Parliamentary Secretary to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru during my early years in public life. Having observed his leadership closely and having also witnessed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure over the past several years, I find it interesting to compare the two leaders as Modi ji completes 4,399 days in office, becoming India’s longest-serving Prime Minister in continuous elected tenure.

Panditji was a philosopher. Modi ji is a practical man. That, in my view, is the most important distinction between them.

During Nehru’s time, governance largely functioned through institutions, officers, and established administrative processes. Modi ji, on the other hand, prefers a much more direct approach. One quality that stands out is his personal involvement in issues. If a matter is brought to his attention, he addresses it himself rather than leaving it entirely to intermediaries. This approach gives him firsthand knowledge of the challenges and aspirations of people across the country. It also allows him to remain closely connected to developments in regions that were often overlooked in the past, including the North Eastern states.

Another major difference I have noticed is in the accessibility of leadership. In those days, we were heavily influenced by British administrative culture and etiquette. There was a certain distance between the government and the people. Today, we have developed a more Indian model of governance. Prime Minister Modi is far more accessible and communicative. He speaks openly, expresses his views clearly, and engages directly with citizens in a way that many earlier leaders did not.

I have also witnessed a significant shift in India’s economic thinking. The Nehru government followed a Russian-style planned economy where licences and controls governed much of economic activity. While that model reflected the circumstances of its time, it limited growth and enterprise. Under Prime Minister Modi, India has embraced a different path focused on development, infrastructure, investment, and economic reforms. The results are visible in the country’s growth trajectory, with India emerging as one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world.

As someone who has served as Chief Minister of Nagaland, I can say that the North East region remained neglected for far too long. Several governments came and went with projects and promises, but the situation on the ground remained more or less the same.

But since Modi ji took office, the region has received unprecedented attention. The scale of funding, infrastructure development, and policy support is something we could scarcely have imagined earlier.

ne of the most significant achievements of Modi ji’s leadership has been the progress in the Naga peace process, wherein Naga underground groups have agreed for the first time to sign two landmark political agreements, bringing new hope for lasting peace and stability in the region.

COMPILED AND EDITED BY SHASHIKANT SHARMA