If the Norwegian Nobel Committee takes note of India’s achievement under the able leadership of Narendra Modi, it can have no better choice for the Prize. The Committee, which usually announces the winner on the Friday of the first full week of October, once regretted not conferring the Prize on an eligible Indian, Mahatma Gandhi. Let it not repeat the mistake.
Nowhere in the world has a ruler worked tirelessly day and night to save citizens, ensuring that the deserving poor receive the food, shelter, medical aid and even money in their accounts through direct benefit transfer – all without error and without ending up in the wrong hands. He also ensured that poor countries in the world deserve hand-holding by India and protected them with the best of food and medical aids, as best as India can. His slogan of Sabka Saat, Sabke Vikas is seen on the ground, in material terms. World Bank data indicated that 270 million people were lifted out of extreme poverty within a decade after Modi assumed power. India’s poverty rate decreased significantly, even after the global poverty threshold was raised.
Modi has framed a policy that ensures the government benefit reaches the right hand at the right time. The Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system has reached millions of Indians, with the government transferring nearly ₹7 trillion. Under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, approximately 820 million people receive free food. This scheme was introduced during the pandemic lockdown to ensure that no one goes hungry.
Approximately 564 million bank accounts have been opened under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), primarily by individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who previously lacked access to the formal banking system. This initiative has enabled them to receive government benefits directly into their accounts without any leakage. Moreover, their average savings have shown a consistent increase.
Millions of homeless individuals received affordable housing through the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, which is part of Modi’s “Housing for All” mission. This scheme identifies those in need of shelter and provides support to help them secure their fundamental rights to shelter.
Additionally, under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), publicly funded community toilets and public toilets (PTs) were established to meet the essential needs of slum dwellers. These individuals were previously forced to live in conditions lacking basic amenities. As a result, the slums of many large cities in India have become Open Defecation Free (ODF) areas—a goal that several generations have aspired to achieve.
Under the Vaccine Maitri of Narendra Modi, India gifted 14.3 million free vaccines to 98 countries, mostly poor countries. India’s free vaccine beneficiaries included Afghanistan, Nepal, Cambodia, Barbados, etc.
Even in the action of neutralising the worst kind of terrorists hiding safely under a country’s military, he ensured that India did not unleash destruction on the enemy country’s citizens.
Under Modi’s leadership, India has donated several thousand metric tonnes of wheat to the UN’s World Food Program, helping millions of impoverished people in countries such as Afghanistan and various African nations. In addition to food assistance, India provides medical aid, humanitarian support, and rescue teams. India is often among the first to respond to disaster sites, no matter where they emerge.
