In May 2014, the Modi Government came into office and since then – India’s progress has been moving forward at a rapid pace.
Besides releasing an e-book on these 11 Years, the government also shared a series of fun videos – that provide insights on just how much India has grown in 11 Years – which the Modi government is referring to as ‘Viksit Bharat ka Amrit Kaal’.
The Sound of 11 Years of Progress
One of the most fun parts of the series of videos released by the government is a series titled ‘The sound of 11 Years of Progress’.
Each video starts with an audio snippet and the question ‘Kya aap jante hai ye awaz kiski hai?’ – followed by the video footage of work done and prosperity brought about in various sectors, showcasing the growth achieved in it over the past 11 years in a fun way.
We’ve been hearing many of these sounds since childhood – but today, they represent something much different than what we remember.
Our Favorite Sounds of Progress
The Sound of Railway Tracks
We used to be obsessed with the ‘chuk-chuk’ sound of trains that we took to travel to nani’s house. Though we would’ve loved to reach there without any hassles, we were forced to drop off at stations far away, because railway connectivity wasn’t all that good. Even waiting at stations used to be a struggle, with foul smells, no internet and rats running around.
In the last 10 years, India’s railway capex grew to a massive 17+ lakh crore, with countless renovations, enhancements and expansions being done in the sector at a fast and steady pace.
There’s more towns, cities and villages connected through the railway network than ever before – and waiting at stations isn’t boring anymore, due to universal WiFI access. In a nutshell, India’s railway system has become world-class – giving competition to even the most advanced countries.
The Sound of School Bells
If you graduated from school before 2014, then your favorite school memory was probably when the school bell rang for the last time. Because at that time, schools weren’t about developing skill sets or preparing kids for the future, but about memorising outdated books in an outdated system. Many children never even got to go to school.
However, today – under schemes like PM Shri, which have selected over 13,000 schools to support initiatives like ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ and Kaushal Vikas – there has been a reform and the education system has changed entirely. The focus is more on holistic education, skill development and individual strengths – thanks to the New Education Policy.
The Sound of Running Water
For most of us, this is something we hear everyday. And while most of us had access to safe drinking water, enough water to bathe two times a day and even carry out the biggest Holi celebrations – before 2014, for crores of households in India, this was not a reality.
While water was being supplied to urban houses every other day through direct connections, rural settlements and village folks had to travel in scorching heat, through tough terrains, to fetch water – it was a luxury to have enough water to bathe, to care for cattle and even to drink.
After 2014, PM Modi started a mission that changed these lives forever – the Jal Jeevan Mission. So far under which, over 12 crore houses have received direct access to piped water. It is one of the many ongoing missions and schemes under the current government, which are clear evidence of how it truly wants to better the lives of every single Indian.
The Sound of A Sewing Machine
If you grew up with your dadi, nani – you’ve probably heard the sounds of a sewing machine, and had the privilege of wearing a scarf or sweater made by them.
It’s warm and comfortable, isn’t it? The exact opposite of the lives of many women, who are discouraged from seeking education, finding jobs, or even developing basic skills.
For these women, being able to make a living was like a dream – until PM Modi’s Mudra Yojana transformed their lives. Over 35 crore loans have been provided to women, who then were able to become full-fledged entrepreneurs and run their own businesses.
The Sound of Soldiers Marching
Every year, on Independence Day and Republic Day, we hoist the Indian flag and listen to soldiers march in parades. But in every other instance, we have the privilege of living our everyday lives carefree and manage to sleep soundly at night.
One of the main reasons for this sound sleep are our soldiers – who live and breathe the sentiments of ‘Vande Matram’ and would lay their lives on the line for the Indian flag. The Modi government, which has shown remarkable support for the defence sector and armed forces, is also responsible.
It’s incredible just how capable, powerful and advanced India’s defence has become in the last 10 years. From 2014 to now, India’s defence budget has grown 33 times – reaching an all time high of 26,600 crores. India always hoists the flag of peace, but with indigenous technology and necessary artillery for modern-warfare, it stays prepared to protect its citizens at any cost.
The Sound of Progress will Only Get Louder, As India Continues Its Path Towards Viksit Bharat
Like these, there are countless sounds that once were a reminder of a darker past – but today are a symbol of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, which will eventually be heard throughout India as the sounds of ‘Viksit Bharat’.
One thing is clear, the Modi Government continues to remain committed to the goal of turning India into a developed nation. They’re doing this not through promises or claims, but through actual, beneficial work done on-ground – as can be observed small, yet massive changes throughout everyday lives.
The 11 Years of Progress can indeed be looked as the ‘Amrit Kaal’ of a soon to be developed nation, and clearly, they’ve done a brilliant job at showcasing the same through such initiatives.