Today marks 25 years since Narendra Modi, now in his third term as Prime Minister, first assumed public office as Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001.
That eagerness to learn became a part of my life, and even today, I consider myself a student. “I remember that when I used to go to school in Vadnagar, our master ji would teach us all kinds of lessons, and among the students who arrived first in class, my name was always there. Because of the constant blessings of the people, this has been possible.
“On 7 October 2001, when I took oath as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, I never imagined that this milestone would one day arrive. Today, I have completed 25 years of continuous service as the head of government. I express my gratitude to the people of India, the BJP, the NDA, and all political colleagues who have immense faith in democracy,” PM Modi said as he received a grand welcome at the ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Sabha’ organised by the BJP as part of the ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’ to mark 25 years of his public service.
” Seva hi dharm hai (Service is duty),” the 76-year-old Prime Minister underlined, adding, he “lives for mission, not ambition”. Reminiscing his school days in Vadnagar, the Prime Minister said he was among the very first students to arrive early. I try to learn something new every day,” PM Modi said.
“I am grateful to every person and every experience that taught me something. Those who taught me taught me humility. Those who brought me down taught me how to rise again. My supporters encouraged me, while my critics taught me to look within.
The Prime Minister said he feels immense gratitude as he looks back on his journey and is also thankful to his critics who, he said, taught him a lot. Those who stood by me showed me the power of trust,” he said.
