PM Modi Marks 12 Years of Virasat Bhi Vikas Bhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday commemorated the 12-year anniversary of the ‘Virasat Bhi, Vikas Bhi’ initiative, asserting that the nation’s cultural legacy is being preserved and advanced with renewed energy under this foundational governance policy.

In a public statement released on X, the Prime Minister emphasized that targeted actions like the repatriation of historic antiquities and the robust expansion of spiritual and pilgrimage infrastructure continue to successfully reconnect citizens with the country’s ancient traditions.

India’s cultural heritage is being actively safeguarded, celebrated, and propelled forward with enhanced vitality, Modi stated. He noted that the guiding vision combines development with heritage to restore spiritual centers and link the populace with historic legacies.

Alongside the Prime Minister, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma also commended the 12-year milestone of the campaign on Thursday. Writing on X, the Chief Minister affirmed that this dual focus on development and heritage has provided a refreshed identity to national faith, culture, and history.

Under Modi’s leadership over the past 12 years, India has reached new developmental milestones while protecting its diverse cultural roots, Sharma observed. He added that unprecedented work has been executed to conserve ancient sites and elevate Indian civilization globally.

Sharma detailed specific successes of the campaign, including the construction of the Shri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, the extensive redevelopment of Kedarnath Dham, and the expanding global acknowledgment of domestic UNESCO World Heritage sites, which have collectively fortified national cultural consciousness.

This era has effectively empowered the cultural renaissance of the nation, fostering self-assurance and driving the collective resolve for a highly developed India, the Chief Minister stated.

The overarching objective of ‘Virasat Bhi, Vikas Bhi’ is to rapidly modernize the state’s economic infrastructure while simultaneously protecting its deep historical and foundational roots.

According to official state documentation, primary programs have focused on restoring iconic landmarks, upgrading visitor amenities, conserving ancient temples, and constructing modern heritage cities alongside specialized pilgrimage circuits.

These coordinated state programs seek to revitalize historic spiritual hubs, ensuring the preservation of the country’s unique historical character while significantly boosting public access and domestic tourism capabilities.

The administration highlighted major quantitative achievements under the policy, including the successful recovery of 668 stolen artefacts from overseas and the comprehensive digitization of 1 crore ancient manuscripts and heritage logs.

Furthermore, state data confirmed that the Mahakumbh 2025 registered an unprecedented attendance of 66 crore devotees, establishing the religious gathering as the largest peaceful human assembly recorded in modern history.

History of Virasat Bhi Vikas Bhi

Launched as a core policy framework, the ‘Virasat Bhi, Vikas Bhi’ initiative was designed to bridge the gap between rapid economic modernization and cultural preservation. Over the past 12 years, the government has integrated heritage conservation into urban planning and infrastructure budgets, shifting public policy to view historical sites as drivers of economic tourism rather than static monuments. This dual-track strategy has reshaped India’s cultural geography through large-scale restoration projects and global diplomatic efforts to reclaim lost national antiquities.

FAQs

What is the Virasat Bhi Vikas Bhi campaign?

It is a governance initiative launched by the Indian government that focuses on rapidly modernizing national infrastructure while simultaneously preserving, restoring, and celebrating India’s historical and cultural heritage.

How many antiquities have been brought back to India under this scheme?

The government has successfully repatriated 668 historical artefacts and antiquities from various international locations over the course of the campaign.

What are some major projects completed under this initiative?

Key milestones include the construction of the Shri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, the comprehensive redevelopment of the Kedarnath Dham infrastructure, and the digital cataloguing of ancient texts.

How many records have been digitally preserved?

The campaign has achieved the digital preservation and cataloguing of 1 crore ancient manuscripts and national heritage records to ensure long-term conservation.