Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed the Union Budget 2026 as a historic and powerful reflection of India's Nari Shakti, or feminine strength, following Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's record-setting presentation in Parliament on Sunday.
Record Ninth Consecutive Budget Presentation
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made history by presenting her ninth consecutive Union Budget, a feat unmatched in India's parliamentary history. The presentation took place in Parliament on Sunday, February 1, 2026, marking another milestone in her tenure as the country's finance minister.
PM Modi's Virtual Address to the Nation
Following the budget presentation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation virtually, describing the document as transformative for India's future. In his comprehensive remarks, the Prime Minister outlined several key aspects of the budget's significance.
Highway of Opportunities
"This Budget is a highway of opportunities," PM Modi declared. "The Budget strengthens the foundation of India's bright future. This year's Budget is the foundation for our journey towards Viksit Bharat by 2047."
The Prime Minister emphasized that the budget would provide fresh energy and momentum to what he called the 'Reform Express' that India is currently riding. He noted that the path-breaking reforms outlined in the budget would create an open sky for India's courageous and talented youth to soar to new heights.
Vision of Trust-Based Governance
PM Modi highlighted that Budget 2026 fulfills the government's vision of trust-based governance and human-centric welfare. He described it as a unique budget that achieves multiple objectives simultaneously.
"This Budget fulfills the vision of trust-based governance and human-centric welfare," the Prime Minister stated. "It is a unique Budget which focuses on reducing fiscal deficit, controlling inflation, along with coordination between high capex and high growth."
Strategic Economic Priorities
The budget's comprehensive approach addresses several critical economic priorities:
- Fiscal Responsibility: Maintaining focus on reducing fiscal deficit while supporting growth initiatives
- Inflation Control: Implementing measures to keep inflation in check for economic stability
- Capital Expenditure: Coordinating high capital expenditure with sustainable growth targets
- Youth Empowerment: Creating opportunities for India's young population through innovative reforms
Symbolism of Nari Shakti
The Prime Minister's emphasis on Nari Shakti in his budget response carries significant symbolic weight. By highlighting the budget as a reflection of feminine strength, PM Modi acknowledged both the historic nature of having a woman finance minister present nine consecutive budgets and the broader empowerment of women in India's development journey.
This recognition comes at a time when women's participation and leadership in various sectors of the Indian economy and society are receiving increased attention and support through government initiatives and policy frameworks.
Foundation for Viksit Bharat 2047
The budget positions itself as a crucial building block for India's ambitious goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. By addressing both immediate economic concerns and long-term development objectives, Budget 2026 attempts to balance short-term stability with visionary growth planning.
The comprehensive nature of the budget, as highlighted by the Prime Minister, suggests a multi-dimensional approach to governance that combines economic prudence with social welfare and infrastructure development.
As India continues its economic journey, this budget represents another step in the country's transformation narrative, with particular emphasis on inclusive growth, youth empowerment, and the recognition of women's contributions to national development.
