To mark the completion of 12 years of the central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday (June 17, 2026) said that India has achieved historic milestones in the fields of development, good governance, security, and self-reliance over the past 12 years.

Mr. Chouhan was in Patna to take part in several programmes organised by the state government and Bihar BJP. Along with Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, he asserted that today, India has established itself as a strong, confident, and influential nation on the global stage.

He also addressed a press conference at the Bihar BJP office where he asserted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has scripted a new history of development. He remarked that the sacred land of Bihar has been a center of knowledge, penance, sacrifice, and the workplace of great personalities, and that visiting this place always fills him with energy and inspiration.

He pointed out that prior to 2014, the country was grappling with a phase of despair and uncertainty, but under Mr. Modi’s leadership, India gained a new direction and momentum. Mr. Chouhan stressed that, guided by the principle that national interest is paramount, the central government has dealt decisive blows to terrorism and Maoism.

He described that measures such as the abrogation of Article 370 regarding Kashmir, surgical strikes, air strikes, and ‘Operation Sindoor’ have demonstrated India’s newfound strength to the world.

The Union Minister highlighted that the greatest achievement of the Modi government over the last 12 years has been the welfare of the poor. He noted that 25 crore people have risen above the poverty line, 4 crore poor families have received permanent houses, and over 60 crore people have benefited from the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

“Free rations are being provided to 81 crore people across the country, while 58 crore Jan Dhan accounts have given a new direction to financial inclusion. The government has accorded top priority to women’s empowerment. Across the country, 3 crore women have become ‘Lakhpati Didis’. The rate of institutional deliveries has risen from 68% to 98%, and a significant improvement in the sex ratio has also been recorded. Financial assistance has been provided to lakhs of street vendors through the PM SVANidhi scheme,” Mr. Chouhan said.

Highlighting achievements in the agricultural sector, he pointed out a record increase in food grain production, adding that schemes such as Kisan Samman Nidhi, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, and fertilizer subsidies have provided immense relief to farmers. He remarked that India, once an importer of food grains, is now rapidly moving towards becoming an agriculturally self-reliant economy.

He also mentioned that the ‘Digital India’ campaign has led to an unprecedented surge in UPI transactions, making India a global leader in digital payments. He also added that initiatives such as Vande Bharat trains, modern infrastructure, the New Education Policy, the startup culture, and semiconductor manufacturing are laying a strong foundation for a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India).

Mr. Chouhan also said that the central government was preserving the nation’s cultural heritage and pride alongside its development. He expressed confidence that under Modi’s leadership, India is rapidly advancing towards becoming a ‘Vishwa Guru’ (global leader).