India Rejects Colonial Mindset, Emerges as Global Pillar of Trust

Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a strong address at the 23rd Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, challenging the long-standing association between India’s previous economic slowdown and the term “Hindu rate of growth.” He firmly rejected attempts to link Hindu religious practices with sluggish economic progress, calling it an effort to tarnish an entire faith and reflecting colonial-era mindset.

India’s Role as Global Stabilizer

Amid unprecedented global uncertainty, Modi emphasized India’s emergence as a beacon of stability and trust. He noted that as a quarter of the 21st century has passed, many nations have faced severe crises including financial meltdowns and pandemics. Despite these challenges, India continues to demonstrate robust growth while global economies face slowdown. “When the world faces a crisis of trust, India becomes a pillar of trust,” Modi stated, highlighting the nation’s growing confidence and economic resilience on the international stage.

Government’s Administrative Transformation

The Prime Minister criticized previous administrations for lacking faith in their citizens, contrasting this with his government’s citizen-centric approach. Key reforms include introducing self-attested documents to reduce bureaucratic procedures and implementing the Jan Vishwas Bill to simplify governance. Additionally, the government has extended Rs 37 lakh crore in guarantee-free loans to small vendors and established camps nationwide to help citizens recover unclaimed public money across banks, insurance companies, and mutual funds. These initiatives aim to empower ordinary citizens and dismantle the colonial bureaucratic framework that previously hindered progress and people’s participation in economic growth.