From Vision to Action: Rathore’s Roadmap for a Self-Reliant Bharat
When Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Olympic medalist turned Cabinet Minister, speaks of Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India), he does so not as a politician, but as a soldier and reformer who believes that true strength lies within people.
From the streets of Jhotwara in Jaipur to the grand vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, Rathore’s leadership combines technology, empowerment, and community participation. His efforts in Rajasthan reflect the national mission led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where “local innovation meets national aspiration.”
Building the Self-Reliant Model in Rajasthan
As MLA from Jhotwara and Cabinet Minister overseeing key portfolios — Information Technology & Communications, Industry & Commerce, Youth Affairs & Sports, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, and Military Welfare — Rathore has a broad yet integrated vision for development.
His model of governance is rooted in four pillars:
- Women Empowerment and Safety
- Youth Skill and Employment Creation
- Digital Transformation and Startups
- Innovation in Local Enterprises
This balanced approach ensures that Rajasthan not only grows economically but evolves socially and technologically as well.
Empowering Women: The Heart of Self-Reliant Bharat
Rathore believes that no nation can be truly self-reliant without empowering its women. In his constituency Jhotwara, women are leading the change — running small enterprises, food processing units, and digital businesses.
Key Women Empowerment Initiatives in Jhotwara:
- Digital Skill Programs: Women trained in UPI, QR payments, ONDC selling platforms.
- Home Entrepreneurs: Local women producing millet-based foods, fashion products, and handicrafts.
- Safety Infrastructure: 5000+ streetlights installed, new police stations in Begas and Hathoj.
- Self-Help Groups (SHGs): Supported to market products regionally and online.
“Our daughters are not just learning; they’re leading. Self-reliance begins when women turn challenges into opportunities,” Rathore said during an Atmanirbhar Bharat event in Jhotwara.
This model has gained attention for being both inclusive and replicable, showing how local governance can empower women through skill, safety, and digital access.
Youth Power: From Job Seekers to Job Creators
At the core of Rathore’s mission lies youth empowerment. As Rajasthan’s Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, he views young citizens as India’s driving force for innovation and productivity.
Under his leadership:
- Career counselling and employment fairs have been organized, including the Rajasthan Career Mela in Dhankya, connecting youth with top industries.
- Collaboration with Skill Development Department is providing new-age courses in AI, data analytics, and robotics.
- Young entrepreneurs are being guided to launch startups through government incubation programs.
Rathore often says,
“Our youth don’t wait for jobs anymore; they create them.”
This shift in mindset, supported by government initiatives, reflects the larger Skill India and Startup India ecosystem promoted under the Digital India Mission.
Technology and Industry: Driving the New Rajasthan Economy
As Minister for Industry & Commerce and IT & Communications, Rathore is steering Rajasthan toward becoming an innovation-driven economy.
In collaboration with the central government’s Digital India and Make in India missions, his departments are:
- Establishing IT hubs and software parks in Jaipur and nearby districts.
- Encouraging solar startups and green energy ventures through state incentives.
- Promoting ease of doing business reforms that reduce red tape and attract investment.
Rathore has been vocal about turning Jaipur into a hub for solar technology and software startups, emphasizing that “Rajasthan must not only be the land of forts and festivals but also of futuristic industries.”
His initiatives have earned praise for balancing economic growth with employment generation, ensuring that industries also contribute to local livelihoods.
Innovation from the Ground Up: Jhotwara as a Model Constituency
Jhotwara has emerged as a microcosm of Rathore’s larger Self-Reliant India vision. In just 22 months, the constituency has witnessed major infrastructure and welfare advancements:
- ₹450 crore sewerage and drainage projects improving sanitation.
- ₹90 crore+ road projects connecting rural belts with Jaipur city.
- Atal Pragati Path and MDR road expansion enhancing connectivity.
- Kalwar College and ITI at Sarnachor to train youth in technical skills.
- Satellite hospital and ambulance services ensuring accessible healthcare.
These projects are creating a self-sustaining local ecosystem — where youth find opportunities, women find platforms, and families find stability.
Digital Transformation: The Backbone of Atmanirbhar Bharat
Rathore’s focus on digital governance ensures transparency, speed, and accessibility.
Through the Rajasthan Soldier Welfare Portal and Digital Grievance Platforms, citizens now directly connect with welfare schemes and updates.
In addition, new social media-based information networks have been developed to:
- Spread awareness about government programs.
- Provide real-time assistance to citizens.
- Support startups and self-help groups with digital marketing guidance.
Rathore sees digital empowerment not as a luxury, but as a necessity:
“In the new India, technology is the bridge between dreams and delivery.”
The Soldier’s Perspective: Discipline Meets Development
As a former Indian Army officer, Rathore brings a rare perspective to governance — one of discipline, precision, and patriotism.
He ensures that every initiative under his watch is mission-oriented and results-driven.
In his Military Welfare portfolio, he has:
- Increased financial assistance for decorated soldiers and their families.
- Approved ₹406 crore for soldier welfare programs and new district offices.
- Strengthened job reservation policies for ex-servicemen in state departments.
His philosophy reflects a balance between strength and compassion, inspired by the spirit of the Indian Armed Forces.
Rathore’s Broader Vision: Viksit Bharat 2047
All of Rathore’s policies align with the national roadmap for Viksit Bharat 2047 — a vision of a developed India by its 100th year of independence.
His regional initiatives in Jhotwara contribute to this mission by fostering grassroots innovation and digital inclusion.
“When every district becomes self-reliant, the nation becomes unstoppable,” he says.
This bottom-up approach transforms local development into a national movement — one that blends technology, entrepreneurship, and empowerment.
Conclusion: The Future is Self-Reliant, the Future is Jhotwara
Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore’s leadership in Rajasthan exemplifies the essence of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
His integrated efforts — empowering women, training youth, advancing digital innovation, and uplifting veterans — are shaping a new India where growth is both inclusive and sustainable.
Jhotwara today is more than a constituency; it’s a case study in how visionary governance can inspire change, one community at a time.
And as Rathore says,
“Self-Reliant Bharat is not just about making in India — it’s about believing in India.”
Stay Connected with Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore
- Website: www.rajyavardhanrathore.in
- Facebook: facebook.com/Rathore
- Instagram: instagram.com/ra_rathore
- YouTube: youtube.com/@rajyavardhanrathore_
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