I Bow My Head to People for Choosing Me to Serve for 25 Years: PM Modi

As Modi arrived for the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Sabha, people welcomed him with flowers, BJP flags and slogans including 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and 'Modi Ji Ka Swagat Hai'. Many people were also seen using their mobile phones to record his arrival.

Addressing the gathering, Modi recalled taking the oath as Gujarat Chief Minister on October 7, 2001. He said he had never imagined at the time that he would eventually reach the milestone of completing 25 consecutive years as head of a government.

The Prime Minister described the milestone as a reflection of the public's continued support and thanked the BJP, the NDA, and political colleagues who, he said, had faith in the democratic process.

Modi said he bowed his head in respect to the people of India, noting that voters had given him the opportunity to serve through successive Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. He also paid tribute to India's democracy and the Constitution.

The Prime Minister thanked participants of the Seva Jyoti Yatra and acknowledged their presence at the event.

Earlier in the day, Modi visited Shri Vinayak Mandir in Sarojini Nagar, Delhi, where he offered prayers on completing 25 years in public office. He said he prayed for the happiness, prosperity and good health of people across the country.

Modi said he viewed the people as a form of God and credited the trust of citizens and the hard work of millions of workers as his biggest sources of strength.

He said the country had given him a great deal and, as a result, he felt an equally great responsibility towards the nation. He added that he believed every citizen had a right over him as a public servant.

Modi's public service as head of government began with his appointment as Gujarat Chief Minister on October 7, 2001. He succeeded Keshubhai Patel at a time when Gujarat was dealing with the aftermath of the Bhuj earthquake along with political and administrative challenges.

He remained Gujarat Chief Minister until 2014 before moving to national politics and becoming Prime Minister.

During his tenure at the national level, India's international engagement has also expanded, with the government focusing on stronger diplomatic relations with major powers and a greater role for India in the Global South.