Acharya Pawan Tripathi on India’s growth story and the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047

Acharya Pawan Tripathi (Pic/Special arrangement)

The Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, a month-long campaign running from September 17 to October 17, aims to highlight India's development journey and encourage public participation in the vision of a developed India by 2047.

The campaign marks Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 25 years in public service, beginning with his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister in 2001 and continuing through his years as Prime Minister. It seeks to highlight welfare initiatives, public service and development programmes through outreach activities and accounts of beneficiaries.

Acharya Pawan Tripathi, treasurer of Shree Siddhivinayak Temple and general secretary of the Mumbai BJP, reflects on the importance of public participation in the country's development journey and the role citizens can play in realising the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

The campaign seeks to take the development narrative beyond government policies and announcements by highlighting experiences from villages, cities and communities, including those of women, young people, middle-class households and economically disadvantaged sections.

Initiatives such as Jan Dhan Yojana, the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, the Swachh Bharat Mission and Har Ghar Jal have sought to improve access to banking, clean cooking fuel, sanitation and drinking water. These programmes have brought development-related interventions into the everyday lives of families.

While speaking about the campaign, Tripathi said, "Development is not merely about skyscrapers rising in big cities. It is visible when electricity reaches a poor household, when a woman is freed from the smoke of a traditional cooking stove, when a farmer gains access to banking and digital payments, or when a family receives financial protection for healthcare."

"Schemes such as the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, PM-KISAN and various social security programmes have worked towards this broader objective," he added.

Tripathi said, "At the same time, India's digital journey has moved rapidly forward. There was a time when reaching a bank branch itself was a challenge for many people. Today, making payments through a mobile phone has become part of everyday life. UPI has taken digital payments to millions of citizens, while the combination of Aadhaar, Jan Dhan accounts and mobile connectivity has helped expand the direct benefit transfer system."

Digital public infrastructure has become an important part of India's development story. However, its reach and impact must be assessed alongside questions of accessibility, implementation and the benefits experienced by different sections of society.

Rural development remains another important aspect of the country's progress. Roads, housing, electricity, internet connectivity, drinking water and financial inclusion affect rural livelihoods, while irrigation, agricultural infrastructure and market access remain important to farmers.

India's young population is also central to its development ambitions. Programmes such as Startup India and Digital India, alongside the National Education Policy, have brought innovation, technology and skills into the development discourse. India's startup ecosystem and ambitions in areas such as space, semiconductors, electronics, defence manufacturing and artificial intelligence are also part of this wider transformation.

Speaking about women's participation in the economy, Tripathi said, "Women's participation is equally important in measuring India's development. Self-help groups, MUDRA loans, women-led entrepreneurship, maternity support, nutrition and healthcare initiatives have sought to strengthen the economic and social position of women."

The campaign's official programme list includes Aangan Milan Seva, which provides a platform for community engagement around anganwadi centres. Issues such as nutrition, immunisation, maternal health and child development remain important to improving health outcomes for families.

Tripathi said, "I believe the true value of any government initiative should be assessed beyond figures and documents. This is why the focus on real beneficiary stories under the ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' is important."

The campaign includes Seva Ki Kahani and Namo Seva-Ankahi Kahaniyan, among other programmes. Such initiatives seek to bring accounts of public service and welfare closer to citizens. The specific scale and format of beneficiary-story collection should be confirmed with the campaign organisers before publication.

Another programme, Seva Mera Yogdan, focuses on citizens' participation in community service. Activities such as blood donation, tree plantation, cleanliness drives, health check-ups, water conservation, digital literacy, cyber safety and support for children in need can encourage collective responsibility.

The spirit of service, Tripathi said, should extend beyond political parties and governments. It is also a responsibility of citizenship, with individuals and communities contributing to social welfare.

The campaign also includes Mere Sapnon Ka Bharat-Chitra Seva, which provides a platform for people to express their vision of India's future through creative participation. Engaging children and young people in conversations about the country's development can help bring their aspirations into the wider public discourse.

Other campaign programmes include Seva Jyoti Kalash Yatra, Seva Setu Abhiyan, Seva Ke Rang-Rashtra Ke Sang, Seva First Innovation Challenge and Sushasan Seva Samvad. Together, these initiatives are intended to encourage participation in public service and discussions around development.

Tripathi said, "I do not see India's development journey merely as a relationship between the government and its citizens. It is also the journey of a society in which citizens understand their responsibilities and contribute to nation-building."

Several initiatives launched or expanded during Modi's tenure have contributed to this development narrative. At the same time, challenges such as unemployment, inequality, agricultural incomes, the quality of education, access to healthcare and regional disparities remain. A balanced understanding of development requires continued discussion of these challenges alongside the achievements.

The vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 envisages India becoming a developed nation by the centenary of its Independence. Achieving this goal will require sustained efforts to improve living standards, expand opportunities and ensure that the benefits of development reach different sections of society.

"The goal of a developed India is not the responsibility of one individual, institution or government. It is a long-term journey that can be achieved only through the participation of millions of Indians," Tripathi said.

Service, Leadership and Shared Responsibility

Development becomes meaningful when it improves everyday lives through better healthcare, housing, clean water, education and employment opportunities. While government initiatives play an important role, citizens can contribute through volunteering, cleanliness drives, blood donation, water conservation and supporting those in need.

As India looks towards 2047, inclusive growth, responsible citizenship and community participation will remain essential to its development journey. Sustained collective efforts by individuals, communities and institutions can help make development more equitable and ensure that its benefits reach those who need them most.