How India’s meticulously planned policies and programs under a visionary leadership have lifted 415 million people out of poverty in India over the past decade.
Sonal Goel, IAS
I recently had the privilege of delivering a lecture at the prestigious London Metropolitan University, where I shared insights into India's transformative journey under the visionary leadership of our H’bl Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi ji.
Presenting my book, Nation Calling: Holistic Approach to the UPSC Civil Services Examination, was one of the highlights of my visit to the London Metropolitan University. Getting my book placed in the University library was truly an honor given by Dr Arvind Upadhyay to me. I hope my book will play a guiding role in the career aspects of the youth of London.
Furthermore, it was a moment of immense pride to discuss how India's innovative solutions are not only addressing domestic challenges but also offering scalable and adaptable models for countries worldwide grappling with issues like financial inclusion, poverty alleviation, and the rapid expansion of digital infrastructure.
The audience, comprising primarily British and European students, was visibly intrigued and impressed by the innovative solutions India has implemented to tackle challenges such as financial inclusion, poverty alleviation, and the rapid expansion of digital infrastructure.
I am sharing some of the key points discussed in my talk here in this blog for I believe it can benefit- anybody and everybody, who believes in India story.
A Journey from Leakages to Leadership
In 1985, then-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi candidly acknowledged that out of every rupee the government spent on welfare, only 15 paise reached the intended beneficiary.
This stark revelation highlighted the systemic inefficiencies and leakages that plagued public service delivery in India.
Fast forward to 2014, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Digital India Mission, aiming to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.
This initiative sought to enhance transparency, improve service delivery, and empower citizens through digital means.
Digitalization in Project Management
India’s challenges—manual processes, corruption, and inefficiencies—were monumental. Yet, with initiatives like Aadhaar (a biometric ID for over 1.3 billion people), Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT), and Unified Payments Interface (UPI), India redefined the governance landscape.
● Aadhaar enabled accurate identification, ensuring subsidies reached the right people.
● UPI transformed financial transactions, processing over 12 billion monthly transactions in 2024.
● DBT eliminated middlemen, saving ₹2 lakh crore by reducing fake beneficiaries and fraud.
This transformation wasn’t just about technology; it was about empowering people with trust, transparency, and efficiency.
Global Lessons from Digital India
● Efficiency and Scalability: UPI’s model inspired similar systems globally, from Singapore to France.
● Financial Inclusion: PM Jan Dhan Yojana banked over
50 crores previously unbanked citizens, providing a foundation for welfare schemes.
● Replicability: Systems like DBT and UPI show how digital tools can address challenges in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.
Communication in Project Management
Even the most advanced technologies can fail without effective communication. In India, where over 19,500 dialects coexist, connecting with diverse populations posed unique challenges.
● Swachh Bharat Mission (Clean India)
The mission to make India open defecation-free faced resistance rooted in cultural practices. Through creative campaigns like schoolchildren ambassadors and Gandhi’s iconic glasses symbolizing cleanliness, India achieved its goal, building 110 million toilets by 2019.
● Jal Jeevan Mission
Providing tap water to every rural household wasn’t just about infrastructure; it was about trust. Women-led village water committees became the face of the mission, increasing coverage from 17% in 2019 to 60% by 2024.
Lessons in Communication
● Localized Messaging: Tailoring campaigns to cultural contexts ensures engagement.
● Empowering Stakeholders: Involving women and youth fosters trust and accountability.
● Transparency: Open dialogues and public consultations mitigate resistance.
Infrastructure Development: Overcoming Challenges
Infrastructure development in India has seen remarkable progress, exemplified by the transformations of Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru and Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) Airport in Agartala. These projects showcase how challenges can be met with innovative solutions, leading to significant advancements in the nation's aviation sector.
● Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru: A 'Terminal in a Garden'
Expanding Terminal 1 (T1) at Bangalore’s Kempegowda International Airport while maintaining airport operations required meticulous planning to minimize disruptions.
But the strategic planning, futuristic design and use of natural materials helped the execution team overcome significant design and installation challenges.
As a result, the capacity of T1 was expanded from 11.4 million passengers per annum (mppa) to 20 mppa, with the area of the terminal doubled to approximately 158,000 square meters.
The expansion has enabled the airport to handle a higher volume of passengers while providing world-class airport experience, positioning it as a key gateway to South India.
● Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport, Agartala: Gateway to the Northeast
MBB Airport in Agartala serves as a crucial link for my home cadre- Tripura and the entire north-eastern region of India. With the growing passenger traffic, the existing terminal was saturated.
To accommodate growing passenger traffic and enhance connectivity, a new terminal building spanning 30,000 square meters was constructed, equipped with 20 check-in counters, four passenger boarding bridges, and modern amenities.
It became possible only because the state government actively collaborated with the central government to expedite approvals and address land acquisition issues.
Now this new terminal can handle 1,200 passengers during peak hours, significantly enhancing capacity. This number was 500 before upgrade. The upgrade has even paved the way for MBB Airport to become the third international airport in Northeast India, boosting regional connectivity.
Roads and Highways: Connecting India
Another great case study are India’s achievement in constructing world-class roads and highways at a rapid pace in the last once decade.
India’s roads, often seen as lifelines for trade and connectivity, grew from 91,287 km in 2014 to 1,46,145 km by 2023. This progress came through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) despite hurdles like land acquisition and regulatory delays.
Government of India used following strategies to achieve the remarkable feat that is going to play a key role in India’s journey from a developing to developed economy:
● Single-Window Clearances: Reduced bureaucratic delays.
● Digital Monitoring: Real-time project tracking improved efficiency.
● Community Engagement: Fair compensation and consultations eased land acquisition.
These case studies illustrate how strategic planning, innovative design, and effective stakeholder collaboration can overcome infrastructure development challenges, contributing to India's vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
AI and Blockchain in Government Projects
Emerging information and communication technologies are redefining project management in India in ways previously unimaginable.
AI in Governance
● Agriculture: AI predicts crop yields, helping farmers plan better.
● Healthcare: Disease surveillance systems identify potential outbreaks, enabling swift responses.
● Law Enforcement: Facial recognition aids in solving cases, enhancing public safety.
Blockchain for Transparency
● Land Records: States like Andhra Pradesh use blockchain to secure land ownership, reducing disputes.
● Procurement: Blockchain networks in Karnataka validate supplier claims, improving efficiency in public contracts.
● Drug Supply Chains: Blockchain tracks pharmaceuticals, ensuring authenticity and combating counterfeit drugs.
These technologies ensure transparency, reduce fraud, and enhance public trust, laying the groundwork for smarter governance globally.
A Vision for the Future: Viksit Bharat 2047
Every project discussed in my talk—from digital payments to clean water initiatives—showcased a step toward the ambitious vision of Viksit Bharat 2047: a developed India by its centenary year of independence. This vision isn’t just India’s; it’s an inspiration for the world.
Broader impact of these projects, policies and programmes is already reflecting in:
● Economic Growth: India is set to become the third- largest economy by 2030.
● Social Inclusion: Initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao challenge deep-rooted biases, creating a more equitable society.
● Environmental Sustainability: Projects like Namami Gange demonstrate the power of blending tradition with modernity.
A Proud Moment
Honestly speaking, sharing these insights with an international audience was a moment of immense pride and satisfaction. It underscored how India's innovative solutions are not only addressing domestic challenges but also offering scalable and adaptable models for countries worldwide grappling with issues like financial inclusion, poverty alleviation, and the rapid expansion of digital infrastructure.
India's experience demonstrates that with visionary leadership, technological innovation, and a commitment to inclusivity, transformative change is possible.
As we continue on this journey, we hope to inspire and collaborate with nations around the world to build a more equitable and prosperous future.
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