Today marks the 68th birthday of Union Minister of Road and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, who is affectionately known as the 'Highway Man of India.' His leadership has significantly contributed to the enhancement of India's infrastructure. The expansion and modernization of the road network under his guidance have greatly improved connectivity across various regions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also shared his best wishes, stating on X, 'Birthday wishes to Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari Ji, who is making notable contributions towards upgrading critical infrastructure in India. May he be blessed with a long and healthy life.'

On this special occasion, we reflect on Gadkari's journey from being a dedicated RSS worker to earning the title of the 'Highway Man of India.'

Born on May 27, 1957, in Nagpur, Maharashtra, Gadkari grew up in a middle-class family and joined the RSS at a young age, driven by a passion for social service. He excelled academically while earning three degrees: B.Com, LLB, and a Diploma in Business Management from Nagpur University. His involvement with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) was pivotal in developing his leadership skills.

Gadkari's political journey began in the 1980s with the BJP's youth wing. His first significant role came in 1989 when he became a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council. He served as the Public Works Department Minister in 1995 when the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance took power in Maharashtra.

Before transforming India's infrastructure, he made significant strides in Maharashtra, notably with the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, India's first six-lane expressway. His tenure as PWD minister also saw the construction of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, earning him the nickname 'Flyover Man' for building over 50 flyovers in Mumbai. He prioritized the development of all-weather roads during this period.

Gadkari's prominence in the BJP rose when he was appointed National President in 2009, leading to significant organizational changes within the party. He has been elected three times consecutively from the Nagpur Lok Sabha seat, which is home to the RSS headquarters.

When the BJP came to power in 2014 under Prime Minister Modi, Gadkari was entrusted with the portfolios of Road Transport, Highways, and Shipping, leveraging his extensive experience. He has served as the longest-serving Minister for Road Transport and Railways.

He has played a crucial role in major projects such as the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (Atal Setu), Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, Bharatmala, Sagarmala, and the Hyderabad-Indore Expressway. Notably, he oversaw the construction of Asia's first solar-powered expressway, the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, and has long advocated for biofuels like ethanol and methanol.

In the past decade, Gadkari has been responsible for the construction of over 90,000 km of national highways and 30,000 km of new roads across India. He firmly believes that for India to achieve the status of 'Vishwaguru,' it must develop infrastructure that meets international standards.

Gadkari stated, 'To develop our country and achieve the goal of becoming a Vishwaguru, as well as to position India as the third-largest economy globally, we must first establish international-standard infrastructure.' This vision reflects his commitment to India's growth and development.