On PM Modi’s 10th Swearing-In Anniversary, Gujarat Roars with Nationalist Pride and Tribal Honour
Dahod/Vadodara | May 26, 2025 - Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the 10th anniversary of his first swearing-in as India’s Prime Minister with a powerful homecoming to Gujarat, invoking deep nationalist sentiment and tribal heritage during a two-day visit that blended symbolism, political messaging, and major development promises.
Returning to his political roots, Modi addressed a massive public gathering in Dahod, shortly after leading a grand roadshow in Vadodara. The visit was charged with emotion, memory, and assertive pride as the Prime Minister declared that “India has broken free from the shackles of decades” since his leadership began in 2014.
Operation Sindoor Honoured; Tribute to Martyr’s Family in Vadodara
The visit began with the ‘Sindoor Samman Yatra’ in Vadodara, where PM Modi was seen engaging warmly with citizens and notably met the family of Colonel Sophia Qureshi, who was martyred during Operation Sindoor—a recent high-stakes cross-border military operation carried out in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack.
Later, in Dahod, Modi was presented with a commemorative photo frame of Operation Sindoor by Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel, in the presence of Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The gesture underscored the operation’s symbolic weight in current national discourse.
Addressing the crowd, Modi thundered:
“Operation Sindoor is not just a military mission. It is an expression of our collective emotion. The enemies of our nation cannot even begin to imagine the consequences when they challenge Modi.”
Tribal Legacy Front and Centre: Birsa Munda Statue Presented
Highlighting the region’s rich tribal culture, the Chief Minister gifted the Prime Minister a statue of tribal freedom icon Lord Birsa Munda, reinforcing the central government’s recent efforts to honour India’s Adivasi legacy. The moment served as a reminder of the government's sustained outreach to tribal communities in central India.
₹24,000 Crore Development Push: ‘Made in Dahod’ Takes Off
A key highlight of the visit was the foundation-laying of development projects worth ₹24,000 crore, including the much-anticipated Railway Production Unit in Dahod under the “Made in Dahod” initiative. The unit, with an investment of ₹20,000 crore, is expected to turn the tribal region into a manufacturing and employment hub focused on locomotive engine production.
The initiative is a major milestone in the government’s efforts to industrialize underserved tribal areas, which Modi hailed as a model of inclusive development.
10 Years of Modi Rule: “India is No Longer Shackled”
Emotionally recalling the day he first took the oath as Prime Minister in 2014, Modi said:
“Exactly ten years ago, I took oath as the Prime Minister. Today, I return to you in 2024, blessed by the love and trust of 140 crore Indians. We are now hoisting the Tricolour not just in the skies but also pulling it out of the darkness of despair.”
Modi portrayed “New India” as fearless, industrially resurgent, and spiritually awakened. With multiple references to national security, tribal empowerment, and technological growth, the Prime Minister painted a picture of an India marching confidently into the future.
Strong Words for Political Rivals
PM Modi did not shy away from launching a direct attack on his political opponents, blaming them for historical inertia and lack of strategic willpower.
He referred to the Pahalgam terror attack, stating:
“Those terrorists did not just attack our soldiers, they challenged 140 crore Indians. And I did what I was entrusted to do as the Pradhan Sevak.”
Recounting the swift Indian military response, he revealed that on the night of May 6, Indian armed forces located and destroyed nine terrorist camps in 22 minutes—a feat he described as “unseen by the world in decades.”
Political Messaging Through Cultural Symbols
The speech and surrounding visuals—especially the presentation of the Birsa Munda statue and the Operation Sindoor frame—sent a powerful political message. The BJP continues to emphasize a blend of cultural nationalism, military strength, and grassroots development, especially ahead of major elections in Gujarat and across India.
Modi’s deliberate evocation of tribal pride in Dahod, a region with a substantial Adivasi population, reflects the BJP’s strategic positioning to retain its voter base among ST communities, particularly in the backdrop of opposition efforts to mobilize tribal sentiments.
As PM Modi’s 10th anniversary in power was marked with symbolism, strong nationalistic rhetoric, and mega development promises, his Gujarat visit encapsulated the core themes of his governance—security, pride, identity, and progress.
With the nation’s eyes on upcoming legislative battles, Modi's message from Dahod and Vadodara was clear: New India will not be shackled again.