Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan addressing a press conference in Patna on June 17, 2026. Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui
By A Correspondent
Patna: Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday said that India has created a new history of development, good governance, public welfare and national pride over the past 12 years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Addressing a press conference at the Bihar BJP state office, Chouhan described Bihar as a sacred land of knowledge, penance and sacrifice. He said he always feels energised and inspired whenever he visits the state.
The Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that before 2014, the country was going through a period of disappointment and uncertainty. However, under Modi’s leadership, India has gained a new direction and pace of progress.
He said the central government, guided by the principle of “nation first”, has taken decisive action against terrorism and Naxalism. Measures such as the abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir, surgical strikes, air strikes and Operation Sindhu have demonstrated India’s growing strength on the global stage.
Highlighting the government’s achievements, Chouhan said welfare of the poor has been its biggest success. He noted that 25 crore people have risen above the poverty line, while four crore poor families have received permanent housing. More than 60 crore people have benefited from the Ayushman Bharat scheme, and 81 crore citizens are receiving free food grains. Additionally, 58 crore Jan Dhan bank accounts have strengthened financial inclusion across the country.
He said that women’s empowerment has been a top priority. Around three crore women have become “Lakhpati Didis”, while institutional deliveries have increased from 68 per cent to 98 per cent. The gender ratio has also improved significantly. Through the PM SVANidhi scheme, lakhs of street vendors have received financial support.
Speaking on agriculture, Chouhan said foodgrain production has reached record levels. Schemes such as the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and fertiliser subsidies have provided major relief to farmers. He said India, once dependent on food imports, is now moving rapidly towards becoming a self-reliant agricultural economy.
He also highlighted the impact of the Digital India initiative, noting that UPI transactions have grown rapidly, making India a global leader in digital payments. The country has increased self-reliance in defence and has become a major exporter of defence equipment. Initiatives such as Vande Bharat trains, modern infrastructure, the new education policy, start-up culture and semiconductor manufacturing are laying a strong foundation for a developed India.
Chouhan further said that along with development, the government is also preserving the nation’s cultural heritage. Projects such as the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Kashi Vishwanath Dham, Mahakal Mahalok and the redevelopment of Kedarnath Dham are revitalising India’s cultural consciousness.
Congratulating Prime Minister Modi on completing 12 years in office, he said the NDA government aims to make India a fully developed nation by 2047. He expressed confidence that under Mr Modi’s leadership, the country is steadily moving towards becoming a “Vishwaguru”.
Among those present at the press conference were Bihar Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, state vice-president Haribhushan Thakur Bachaul, state vice-president and former MLA Pawan Jaiswal, MLAs Sanjeev Chaurasia and Sanjay Gupta, state media in-charge Danish Iqbal, and Patna metropolitan district president Roop Narayan Mehta.
About the Author
