PM Modi has been important for Maharashtra’s infrastructure

Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives a bouquet of flowers from Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. Pic/By Special Arrangement

The 25-year journey of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a journey of service, resolve and dedication. It is a journey reflecting the growing confidence of 1.4 billion Indians. On this occasion, on behalf of Maharashtra's 130 million people and the Shiv Sena, I express my warm congratulations and best wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The voice that emerged from the soil of Vadnagar has today become an influential voice representing India's position on the global stage. During his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat from October 7, 2001, to May 2014, Modi took several important decisions for the development of the state.

There is a significant difference between India before 2014 and India after 2014. When the Prime Minister of a country changes, it is not merely the government that changes - the future of the country changes. And that is precisely the transformation that took place after 2014. The expansion of Digital India and UPI brought about a major transformation in the field of digital transactions. The expansion of highways, railways, airports and other infrastructure was accelerated. Initiatives such as Make in India, Startup India and Atmanirbhar Bharat are giving a boost to domestic manufacturing, investment and entrepreneurship.

In Maharashtra too, the Mahayuti government has taken several decisions in the same direction for women's empowerment. Whether it is the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana or the decision to provide higher education to girls - the principle is clear: when a woman becomes empowered, the family becomes empowered; when the family becomes empowered, society becomes empowered. The 12-year period of the Central Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also been important for Maharashtra's infrastructure and economic development. The assistance received by Maharashtra from the Centre has not been limited merely to funding; it has also helped accelerate several long-term projects.

Projects such as the Atal Setu, Samruddhi Mahamarg, Mumbai Coastal Road, Navi Mumbai International Airport, Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train, and the '76,000-crore Vadhavan Port, which will be important for the industrial development of Konkan and Palghar, are in every sense game-changing projects for Maharashtra. It is my great fortune that I have been blessed with the personal affection of the respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as has my entire family. The affection shown to me by Modi ji filled the void created in my life by the passing of Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray and Dharmaveer Anand Dighe and gave me tremendous strength. My heartfelt best wishes to Modi ji for his journey ahead. I pray that God blesses him with good health, a long life and immense strength to continue serving the nation.