Came UPI -- more due to determined efforts by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
An hour long casual discussions on economy and Governance Models in a popular tea stall in Ahmedabad's Lal Darwaja area brings into light that the state of Gujarat had in effect leapfrogged to privatisation era much before many other states.
Thus, common business operators admit - the influence of Neta-babu raj, red-tapes of Babudom is much less and instead the focus is on delivery, effective welfare measures and and power of market force in a city better known as 'a trader's paradise'.
Today, scanning a QR code to pay a shopkeeper is routine and normal like getting into a rickshaw. A street vendor, taxi driver or small retailer can receive digital payments without setting up a traditional card-payment infrastructure. India's digital public infrastructure is an economic tool.
"I am a huge fan of UPI system," says Rafiq Qadir - 27 in Ahmedabad's Relief Road area. "I understand techie language etc ... but this is more than just a technology project," he added.
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| Blogger - Relief Road (Ahmedabad) |
The central government data says UPI processed nearly 2,300 crore transactions worth around Rs 30 lakh crore in March 2026 alone.
India accounts for about 49 per cent of global real-time payments.
"We like the growth story. We like the manner Diplomacy is handled. BRICS was a grand success story despite initial hiccups," says Purbaiben Suratwala, an office goer.
However, she has her issues too. "The GDP story is hardly the complete story. I look it as a challenge. Therefore, the country will have to more careful. The high GDP growth as you all highlight in TV debates does not actually mean enough good jobs or Achhey din", says Purbaiben.
On whom she would prefer voting in 2027 assembly elections in Gujarat; she says: "It is my secret card... but for Lok Sabha 2029, it is Narendra Modi".
Others in Ahmedabad and even in Gandhinagar have their grievances.
"I am a student of economics. I know the World Bank has identified job creation as a challenge for the NDA Govt. Over the next 12 years - with or without Modi; India will add more working-age people." says Hiral Kulkarni in Gandhinagar.
Her roommate Sangeeta Chaudhry from Jaipur joins the discussions adding - "The employment challenge is a key indicator because agriculture employs a very large share of India's workforce".
But she is also concerned that manufacturing has not able to accommodate 'labour force' on the scale seen in countries like China or Vietnam.
But opening doors is only half of it. An open door means little if you have no way to reach it. This is where the fairness in the idea shows itself.
Others, however, say financial inclusion and digital payments are important. The targeted credit mechanism has also brought thousands of Indians who were once outside the formal economy into it.
An entrepreneur in Ahmedabad says "We can easily access tools that once belonged almost exclusively to people born into the richer segments. But more such steps should come. I do not understand much about economy in theoretical sense. But 'mere dhande ke liye' aur reform aana chahiye (we need more reforms for business)".
But some people debate other issues too.
One, unlike the past - India has now started to trust its young people.
On this context, a retired Tehsildar admits -
"For most of Indian history, the bright talent pool always left for board to build anything big and rich. But I am happy now there is a change.
By opening 'doors' in space and silicon, in software and the classroom —the Modi Govt in the cente and the BJP regime headed by chief minister Bhupendra Patel in Gujarat has given the "talented youngsters" good options and valid reasons to stay back in the state.
Today, building the future and restructuring infrastructures have become a reality because the young and talented people are staying back.
BJP karyakarta in Gandhinagar - Sanjeev Patel says - "The BJP government in the state under Bhupendra Patel and the centre have shown that young population are not merely votes to be counted. Modi ji has made them participants in the future of India especially in the context of Viksit Bharat of 2047".
BJP workers offering milk on cutout of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during celebrating his birthday on Sept 17, 2026 (social media)
I spoke to a former Congressman - who has quit the grand old party and is likely to join the BJP by December this year. He gives reasons for his political defection after two decades.
"Bahut ho gaya... Congress is not making right moves. We are lost in negativity and people do not like that approach. On the other hand, please chack the data -- India's nominal GDP was around $2 trillion when Modi became PM in 2014. Now it has crossed the $4 trillion mark and is estimated at around $4.15 trillion soon".
He argues the India grew 7.8 per cent in the April-June quarter.
Moreover, he says - the investment grew 11.9 per cent, while household consumption rose 7.1 per cent.
"And the World Bank also gave positive reviews".
Endorsing these views, a state government officer told this blogger -
"Now, the state of Gujarat is a big investor by itself. I am sure many other states like UP and Rajasthan are too. We have one policy decision clearly from the chief minister's office and those concerned that the state government's emphasis should be on capital expenditures."
Analysts both in Delhi and Gandhinagar say - "The transformation is visible. Instead of relying only on subsidies or government consumption, the state governments and the centre are working in good understanding and spending sizable amount on roads, railways, ports, airports and logistics.
As a result, they say -- the enhanced (improved) infrastructures will lower overall costs and is encouraging enhanced private investment.
It is true - the government capital expenditure has risen sharply.
The Economic Survey 2025-26 said central government capital outlay increased from Rs 5.92 lakh crore in FY22 to a budgeted Rs 11.21 lakh crore in FY26, an increase of nearly 89 per cent.
The broader infrastructure push can be seen on the ground.
The national highway network expanded from roughly 98,000 km in FY15 to more than 1.44 lakh km by FY22, while the number of airports increased from 74 to 149 over the same period, according to centre.
In multiple states, the government has expanded metro networks, railway electrification and multimodal connectivity.
This is where PM Gati Shakti fits into the larger picture.
India's foreign direct investment inflows has increased from $36.05 billion in FY2013-14 to $81.04 billion in 2024-25.
Equally significant is the expansion of physical infrastructure. The national highway network grew from 91,287 km in 2014 to 146,145 km in 2024, alongside substantial expansion in airports, renewable-energy capacity and logistics connectivity.
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