The Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the centre turned one year old on May 26. Faced with tasks of ruling the country and ensuring delivery of his pre-poll promises, Modi government has drawn mixed reactions from different quarters vis-a-vis events and issues in the past year.

From communal tensions and controversial statements made by his ministers, to the question of whether 'ache din' have really come knocking at the door of India's poor and impoverished, Modi, in an exclusive interview on Friday, May 29, to Tribune, not only explained taking up from where the previous UPA government had left, but also the significance of his thrust on maintaining relationship with India's neighbours.

Here's is everything that the Prime Minister had to say on different issues and concerns of the country:

Source: New Indian Express

Impression of running the government

From the potential I have seen in the country, I believe there is no logic in it staying poor and underdeveloped. Countries that attained freedom much later have developed more than us; we too could have been there. There is nothing lacking in the country. I won’t go into where we went wrong or who did wrong.

When I spoke of Swachh Bharat on August 15 last year, I knew I was taking a risk, but I was amazed at the response that I received, it was beyond my imagination. Even the media that is usually critical of the government (which is natural and how it should be) has been furthering this particular campaign. Such has been the awareness created today that children point out to their parents if they litter.

Then I have seen the strength of the government machinery. When I declared we’ll open bank accounts before January 26, everyone was shocked: this is something that has never happened in 60 years, what is this man saying! But within around 100 days, before December 25, the targets were nearly met by all.