We will do it: PM Modi coins slogan of confidence, gives India 5 big targets

Celebrating 25 years as the head of governments, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a new slogan to Indians. "We will do it," the PM said, and the crowd cheered as he gave five ambitious goals to a confident country.

In Short

• PM Modi spoke in New Delhi celebrating 25 years as head of government
• He gave a new slogan and tried to infuse new energy into India's growth
• PM gave five big targets, and the crowd responded with 'we will do it'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday tried to infuse renewed energy into the country's growth ambitions by giving a new slogan, "We will do it". Celebrating his 25 years as head of various governments, Modi gave five big targets to citizens, with the huge crowd at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi responding loudly with "we will do it" every time.

It was 25 years ago that Modi was sworn in as the chief minister of Gujarat for the first time. He took the oath of office on October 7, 2001, succeeding Keshubhai Patel as the state's 14th chief minister.

On Wednesday, Modi repurposed the day, which was being marked by the BJP and his supporters, into one when the country had to make a fresh resolve.

"Today, at this stage of my journey, I respectfully salute every volunteer and every fellow worker. Friends, today is not just a day for memories. It is a day to fill our resolve with new energy. This is a day to repeat that promise, to express that intention, which says, We will do it. We will do it. We will do it. We will do it," said Modi.

Modi listed a series of goals, including making India a developed nation by 2047, and listed the big five. Other than Viksit Bharat at 2047, Modi listed the five goals. "Top three economy, Atmanirbhar Bharat, global manufacturing hub, hosting the Olympics, setting foot in space."

Each time, he called out the goal, and the crowd responded in unison: "We will do it!"

"This energy, this enthusiasm, this self-confidence is extraordinary," Modi also said.

The moment of the pledges and energy infusion come at a time when analysts say that the Modi government is facing one of its toughest phases.

A protest movement led to the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as a Union minister in July. Protesters are back on the streets, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and the Congress-led Opposition have alleged that the BJP was in cahoots with the CEC and rigged elections.

Then there is the now-withdrawn UGC equity guidelines, which have made the general category — the BJP's major support base — rise up in protest.

The energetic speech by Modi will instil confidence in the party and his supporters, because the Opposition and the CJP were seen as presenting their opinions very effectively in recent times. The CJP organised a big protest over the weekend in Mumbai and the Opposition staged a sit-in near the Election Commission of India office in New Delhi on Tuesday.

MODI'S FIVE BIG TARGETS FOR INDIANS

The five big targets, to do with India's economy, self-reliance, manufacturing, a manned space mission and the hosting of the Olympic Games, set by Modi on Wednesday will take back some of the focus on the government's policies and agenda.

India is the fastest-growing major economy in the world. Currently, the sixth-largest economy, India was at number 10 when Modi took over as PM in 2014.

The last few years have been tough for leaders across the world, first with the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdown, the Russia-Ukraine war, and then the war in the Middle East. The two wars have upended the global supply chain and disrupted energy routes.

India, under Modi's leadership, has managed the crisis better than many emerging economies.

The five big goals also speak about the canvas of India's ambitions. One has to do with its economic power, which is largely consumption-driven, while the two others are to do with science and the confidence to host events of a global scale.

Modi's target of making India the hub of global manufacturing has to do with the goal of trying to turn the economy's reliance from consumption to production of goods and products. The NDA government's Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, launched in April 2020, which rewards domestic manufacturing projects, has shown good results.

MODI HIGHLIGHTS INDIA'S RESILIENCE AMID GLOBAL CRISIS

"Whenever a crisis struck [in the past], India's economy would be shaken. Today, when a crisis comes, India's strength is discussed. India's resilience is discussed. Friends, back then, there was talk of policy paralysis, and today there is talk of reforms express. Back then, ways were sought to increase imports, and today new export records are being set," Modi said.

The mention of policy paralysis was a subtle dig at the Congress, the principal Opposition party, and its UPA 2 government from 2009 to 2014.

"Today, we ourselves are the makers of our destiny. Therefore, it would be an injustice to Mother India if we were to pursue small goals. It would be an injustice to the nation's potential if we were to pursue easy goals. This is the time when we, as a nation, should set big goals," Modi said.

The goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat is aligned with the target of turning India into a global manufacturing hub, and reducing imports.

India's trade deficit narrowed to $9.41 billion in August 2026, down from $11.62 billion in August 2025, according to reports.

All the targets spelt out by Modi on the anniversary of his 25 years as the head of various governments (in Gujarat and at the Centre) are aimed at making India a developed country by 2047. The slogan of "we will do it" is aimed at infusing new energy into a confident country that needs a positive push.

- Ends
(Written by the Yudhajit Shankar Das)