NaMo: ARCHITECT OF ASPIRATIONS BEYOND INFRA AND EDUCATION

PM Narendra Modi will be in Gujarat on March 31 to attend three events, including a key programme in Vav-Tharad, Gujarat’s 34th district, which shares a small border with Pakistan. There, he will inaugurate and lay the foundation for projects worth around Rs 19,000 crore. The visit also reflects PM Modi’s broader journey marked by a deep belief in education as a transformative force, from grassroots efforts in Gujarat to nationwide reforms promoting access, quality, and girls’ empowerment.

Kanya Kelavani to Digital Classrooms: Modi’s mission to transform education

Over the past twenty-five years in public life, from his time as Chief Minister of Gujarat to his role as Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi has treated education not just as a government policy, but as a mission closely connected to the nation’s growth and future.

Even in his early days as an RSS pracharak, he believed that education is the strongest tool for empowerment. People who worked with him recall how he would spend hours convincing families to send their daughters to school. He also suggested an important idea to fellow karyakartas: when a worker’s daughter turns twenty, her education or marriage should become the top priority, even if it requires taking a break from organisational work. This showed his deep belief that an educated daughter strengthens not just a family, but the entire nation.

This vision also took shape in reality when he helped establish Sanskardham School in Ahmedabad in the early 1990s, which became a model for valuebased education.

When Narendra Modi became the Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001, the state ranked low in education among Indian states. He made education his top priority and started a movement that involved the entire society. In 2003, he launched two major programmes—Shala Praveshotsav and Kanya Kelavani—to increase school enrolment.

These programmes were unique because they were not limited to government offices. For three days every year, ministers, officers, teachers, and local leaders would visit villages and personally encourage parents to send their children, especially girls, to school. Modi himself took part in these campaigns and often travelled in simple ways, like using a bullock cart, to connect with rural people. He believed that education must become a people’s movement, not just a government effort.

The impact of these initiatives was remarkable. School enrolment increased rapidly, and dropout rates fell sharply. Between 2001 and 2013, enrolment rose from about 75 percent to nearly 99 percent. Dropout rates in primary classes reduced from over 20 percent to almost 2 percent, and in upper primary classes from nearly 40 percent to around 7 percent. These changes showed that focused efforts and public participation can bring real results.

Modi’s approach to education was always practical and solution-oriented. For example, when he learned that many girls missed school because they had to take lunch to their fathers working in farms, he quickly responded. School timings were adjusted, and farmers were encouraged to make other arrangements so that girls could attend classes regularly.

His personal actions also reflected his commitment. He auctioned the gifts he received as Chief Minister and used the money for the Kanya Kelavani Fund, which supported girls’ education. This turned symbolic gestures into meaningful contributions.

There were also moments that showed his sensitivity towards individual students. In one case, a terminally ill girl wanted extra time to complete her Class 10 exams. Modi personally ensured that she was allowed to do so. It reflected his belief that rules should never come in the way of a child’s right to education.

In 2009, he launched Gunotsav, a programme that shifted the focus from just enrolment to the quality of education. Under this initiative, ministers and senior officials visited schools to assess teaching standards, infrastructure, and learning outcomes. This helped improve accountability and brought attention to the actual classroom experience.

To modernise education, several steps were taken. The Smart Class Project introduced digital learning tools, which later became part of the larger Mission Schools of Excellence. Schools, even in rural areas, were provided with electricity and internet connectivity. Through Computer Aided Learning programmes, students were introduced to multimedia-based education, helping them learn in a more engaging way.

Special attention was also given to girls and disadvantaged communities. The Vidya Laxmi Bond Scheme provided financial incentives to families to encourage girls’ education. More than ten lakh girls benefited from this scheme. Eklavya Model Residential Schools were strengthened to ensure that tribal children also had access to quality education.

During his time as Chief Minister, several specialised universities were established in Gujarat, such as Gujarat Forensic Sciences University, Raksha Shakti University, Children’s University, and the Indian Institute of Teacher Education. These institutions reflected his vision of building expertise in different fields and making Gujarat a centre of excellence in education.

By 2014, Gujarat had made significant progress. Dropout rates had reduced, female literacy had improved, and a strong system for education had been created. Before moving to Delhi, Modi made a meaningful gesture by donating `21 lakh from his personal savings to support the education of daughters of government staff like drivers and peons. It showed that his commitment to girls’ education remained strong.

As Prime Minister, he expanded this vision across the country. The Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign, launched in 2015, focused on saving and educating the girl child. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 brought major changes, promoting flexible learning, skill development, and education in the mother tongue.

The PM SHRI Schools initiative is working to upgrade school infrastructure across India, providing modern classrooms and better facilities. At the same time, Pariksha Pe Charcha has become a popular programme where the Prime Minister interacts with students, helping them deal with exam stress and encouraging them to learn with confidence.

Understanding the importance of research and innovation, the National Research Foundation was established in 2023 to strengthen academic research and connect it with industry. Digital platforms like DIKSHA and SWAYAM, under the PM e-VIDYA initiative, have made quality education accessible to students across the country, especially during challenging times like the pandemic.

Programmes like Skill India Mission and PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana have focused on making young people jobready by providing them with practical skills. These efforts aim to connect education with employment and prepare India’s youth for the future.

From a young pracharak who encouraged families to educate their daughters, to a leader who has shaped education policies at the national level, Narendra Modi’s journey reflects a consistent belief in the power of education. His work shows that when education becomes a shared mission, it can transform not just individuals, but the entire nation.

COMPILED AND EDITED BY SHASHIKANT SHARMA