To lead the govt for a continuous 25 years in India’s demanding public life is an achievement few can claim. It stands as living proof of the people’s enduring trust, relentless work, firm resolve and a genuine commitment to public service. The 25 years of Narendra Modi as head of govt mark one of the most consequential chapters in modern Indian leadership.The journey that began in 2001 as chief minister of Gujarat has grown into the determined national mission of building a developed India. Through these years, Narendra Modi has treated governance not as the exercise of power but as a direct instrument of change in the lives of ordinary citizens.At the heart of his politics lies an unwavering connect with the masses. No other Prime Minister has enjoyed more sustained and widespread public support. This support has never been accidental. It flows from a leadership that places people, not power, at the centre. In every meeting with him, one senses the same clear priority: work harder for the people and ensure every decision benefits the last person in the farthest corner of the country.He consistently urges public representatives to remain rooted among the people, listen with humility and work without pause so schemes become real improvements rather than distant announcements. This standard is not preached; it is practised. Even at the highest office, the same sensitivity towards the poor, farmer, worker, youth, women, small entrepreneurs and marginalised continues to guide policy. Housing, sanitation, electricity, banking, health and food security, women’s empowerment and opportunities for the young have been shaped into a broad framework of welfare that has reached those long left behind.His leadership has also created a new national confidence. India today advances with visible strength in space, digital infrastructure, startups, connectivity, defence production, manufacturing and innovation. The world now recognises a nation that is assertive, capable and ready for the future.What strikes me most is his unbroken energy and hunger to learn. After decades in public life, the discipline and intensity remain intact. He approaches every issue with depth and insists on results. He repeatedly stresses the essential democratic link: continuous conversation between govt and citizens so work done reaches the people and people’s expectations reach the govt.As chief minister of Bihar, I have found his guidance particularly clear. On the state’s development, his message is firm: keep the aspirations of Bihar’s people at the centre, move with speed and ensure progress reaches every village and every section of society.Bihar is entering a new phase. Our govt works to create jobs, attract investment, strengthen industry, improve education and healthcare and open genuine opportunities for youth within the state. Guided by the Prime Minister’s vision of a developed India by 2047, we are determined Bihar will become a strong contributor to that national journey.In every conversation, he returns to the same insistence: there must be no shortfall in serving the people. Representatives must work harder, go deeper among citizens and understand their problems with seriousness. This remains both a personal and official responsibility for me.My effort as chief minister is to convert this guidance into the daily functioning of Bihar’s govt. Schemes must deliver real benefits to the poor and needy. That priority is non-negotiable.The 25-year journey of Prime Minister Narendra Modi demonstrates lasting change requires sustained effort, clear purpose and continuity of vision. The approach refined in Gujarat was later expanded nationally with greater scale and impact. The advances seen today in the economy, infrastructure, digital systems and global standing are the result of that long-term thinking.Beyond the list of achievements, this remains a journey of trust, the trust of ordinary citizens, dedicated workers and a nation that now believes it can solve its own problems, build its own technology, create opportunities for its youth and engage the world on its own terms.For the people of Bihar, the Prime Minister’s leadership continues to represent hope and opportunity. Unlocking the state’s potential, its talented youth and its human resources requires strong coordination between the Centre and the state. Our double-engine govt works with exactly this purpose.On the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday on Sept 17, I convey on behalf of the people of Bihar our warmest greetings and good wishes. I pray for his continued health, long life and tireless service to the nation.This day should not remain a mere celebration. It must become a moment to draw strength from his example and deepen our own commitment to service, good governance and nation-building.For me, Narendra Modi is not only the Prime Minister of India. He is a guide whose every interaction strengthens the resolve to serve the people with greater sincerity. His life underlines a simple truth: the office is secondary. What endures is duty to the people, dedication to the nation and the determination to carry development to the last citizen.Let us take inspiration from these 25 years of governance and public service and commit ourselves to leading Bihar into a new era of development, good governance and inclusive welfare.A developed Bihar as a proud part of a developed India remains our commitment and our most sincere birthday offering to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.(The author is chief minister of Bihar)
