100 days of Modi 2.0 Govt, reflection of an aspirational India

Harsimrat Kaur Badal
With a sense of great satisfaction that I pen my thoughts on the performance of my government’s first 100 days. Usually termed as the honeymoon period during the first 100 days neither the government acts nor the public expects any major decision-making by the new government.
In fact in case of a repeat government the new government’s attitude as in the past has been Whoa! The elections are won, now take it easy we have to govern next 5 years.
However, all that is in the past. This is Narendra Modi – who as PM neither took a single break during government nor after elections! In fact he told each department to work on a 100 day agenda for the new government even before the 5th phase of polling was over !
The Narendra Modi government took office with the motto of ‘Nation First’. In the first 100 days, this government has demonstrated, not just its intent to walk the talk, but also its ability to show tremendous political will to carry out social and economic reforms that were earlier perceived to be impossible.
The first parliament session of this new government exemplifies the decisive nature of its leadership. By ending the Triple Talaq in its very first week, despite stiff opposition, this government has demonstrated its commitment to restoring the honour and dignity of women. This legislation is a strong step towards protecting and empowering muslim women by ensuring gender justice as enshrined in the Constitution of India.
The landmark legislation for the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2019, that provides death penalty for aggravated sexual assault on children is another illustration of this government’s single-minded focus on social reforms. India’s young children deserve to be safe. They deserve to be protected through a law that deals with sexual assault offenders with aniron hand.
Farmers are at the heart of this government’s progressive development plan. One of the first decisions this government took was to universalise the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)& extend its ambit. The expanded scheme enables all farmers to receive Rs 6,000 a year directly into their bank accounts. About 200 million farmers will benefit from the scheme. By providing an income support of Rs.6000 to every farmer and extending Pension Schemes to labourers, small traders and farmers, Modi 2.0 has tried to uplift marginalized sectors and create a level playing field. Ayushman Bharat provides Rs.5 lakh per family to 500 million populations, has ensured their health needs are met so that together youth and poor can unleash the vast strength of their human resource to shape up New India. An India that could certainly achieve the target of a $ 5 Trillion economy.
While the opposition may accuse our government of raising the expectations of 1.3 billion people to new heights, we take pride in doing so. Modi 2.0 aims to unleash the energy of new India by setting new milestones, goals and deliverables by bringing about a transformational shift that will ensure India surges ahead as a global superpower. To that end, our government has a three-pronged strategy. One, harnessing India’s human resource potential to shape new India, two, weeding out corruption through a Clean-up action, three, Infrastructure push.
We know that corruption is one of the biggest obstacles in the way of progress. Modi 1.0 provided a clean government and Modi 2.0 has set goals to target the corrupt. Forced retirement of big bureaucrats who hitherto stayed untouched by anti-corruption laws and those who built fortunes, are being ousted.  People who looted the government exchequer are behind bars.  Operation clean-up is underway and it will catalyse India to unleash its economic potential & surge ahead.
As we start delivering on our promises, all global multi-lateral platforms like G-7, G-20, BRICS, UN, the strong presence of India led by PM Narendra Modi is a reflection of India gaining in stature. New Delhi is no more a mere spectator or a follower but a global leader—be it environment protection, carbon emission, trade talks or power balance, India has become an integral part of the global power.
The first 100 days of Modi 2.0 government is a reflection of an aspirational India which is confident to reach its full potential under the dynamic leadership of visionary & fearless Prime Minister providing a Nirnayak Sarkar to govern India ensuring Sab Ka Saath Sabka Vikas Sabka Vishwas.
The writer is Union Cabinet Minister of Food Processing