Hardeep Singh Puri demonstrated enduring leadership in high-stakes situations, fluid geo-political environment, and inter-governmental platforms by adopting best practices, using power constructively, and strengthening coalition-building for humanity and the country.
Multifaceted Diplomacy
In times of great change and a rapidly-evolving world, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri’s leadership has ushered in a sense of an innovative and sustainable future. In his diplomatic career spanning nearly four decades, he excelled in both bilateral and multilateral diplomacy practices. In the former scope of the area, he was stationed at crucial diplomatic posts in Brazil, where he was ambassador; and Japan, Sri Lanka, and the UK where he was Deputy High Commissioner. In the latter, he was the Coordinator of the UNDP/UNCTAD Multilateral Trade Negotiations Project between 1988 and 1991, to help developing countries in the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations. He also served as the chairman of the United Nations Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee and as President of the United Nations Security Council.
A Technocrat and A Politician
Shri Hardeep S Puri is an amalgamation of a technocrat and a politician. His qualities are rooted in his vast range of experiences and extensive knowledge. After spending 39 years as a civil servant, he entered the political fray, where he derives extreme satisfaction as he is able to get immense opportunities to serve the people. Shri Hardeep Puri joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2014 and was given the Independent Charge of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in September 2017. He was the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, and Civil Aviation between May 2019 and June 2021. Shri Hardeep S Puri was appointed as the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, and Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas in July 2021. Meeting the objectives of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, he executed a working process for these ministries that got the work done and targets achieved.
Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat
Fulfilling the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri ensured all the ministries under his supervision witnessed great achievements. His dedicated efforts and zeal to make a self-reliant India bolstered many sectors and contributed towards the upliftment of the economy, revitalization of industries, and boosting infrastructure and connectivity during his tenure with different ministries.
As the Minister of Civil Aviation, he realized the dream of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji to create an ecosystem to make flying affordable for the masses under Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme. His execution strategy turned 59 airports into well-served airports covering over 350 routes. A blueprint was also in action to enable 30 crores domestic ticketing by 2022 and increase cargo volumes up to 10 million tonnes by 2027.
UDAN
As the Minister of Civil Aviation, he realized the dream of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji to create an ecosystem to make flying affordable for the masses under Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme. His execution strategy turned 59 airports into well-served airports covering over 350 routes. A blueprint was also in action to enable 30 crores domestic ticketing by 2022 and increase cargo volumes up to 10 million tonnes by 2027.
Vande Bharat Mission
Under his supervision, Vande Bharat Mission turned out to be a massive success during the Covid-19 pandemic. 95 lakh stranded Indian citizens were facilitated return by entering into Air Bubble agreements with 28 countries. His services as a diplomat then or now as a cabinet minister, speaks volumes about efficiency, dedication, and affection towards the citizens.
Energy Security
In recent times, access to energy is increasingly viewed as a basic human right and is at the heart of all-round development. As the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Hardeep Puri has set a primary objective at par with SDG goal 7 to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. His primary focus is on the increasing domestic production of crude and natural gas to work towards becoming a natural gas-based economy. Shri Hardeep Puri’s plans to enhance the usage of biofuels such as ethanol and the installation of green hydrogen plants would provide a new paradigm to India's energy security. With this, green and clean sources of energy are being promoted across the nation. Leveraging his diplomatic heft, he strengthened the Indo-Russian energy trade as oil majors from both countries signed new deals for bringing stability in oil and gas supplies, which is seen to be a step forward to potentially bringing the much-needed stability to the global energy market.
Ujjwala Yojana
Following his appointment as the Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas in July 2021, he is steadfasting the second phase of the Modi government’s flagship program Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY). After meeting the target of 8 crores LPG connections for the women relied on unhealthy cooking fuels of wood and coal, Ujjwala 2.0 will provide 1 crore additional deposit-free LPG connections to those low-income families that were out of coverage in the previous phase. In the energy sector, under his leadership, all the schemes aim to empower women by making them official owners of the LPG connections.
AMRUT & Smart City Mission
Following the vision of PM Modi Ji, all the missions of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs are designed in a way that caters to the empowerment of women and youth. A city can be said to work for its people only if it supports them in their chosen pursuits. For a young student, his or her needs could be about availability of good educational institutions, safe cycling and walking infrastructure. All these needs are being facilitated by Smart City Mission. Similarly, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) offers basic amenities to all. Individual household water supply crises have been a severe problem for women across the country, but with AMRUT the challenges are resolved and appropriate sanitation facilities have provided to the targeted segment. In its next phase, he is ensuring that AMRUT 2.0 mission is extended from 500 cities to around 4,700 cities and towns and make them ‘Aatmanirbhar’ through encouraging startups and entrepreneurs, as well as ‘water secure’ through circular economy of water by developing the Urban Water Information System.
Swachh Bharat Mission
As per the sustainable development goals, India is set to achieve access to adequate sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and those in vulnerable situations and Swachh Bharat Mission aims for sustained behavioral change while embarking on the newer agendas of sustainable solid waste management and safe disposal of wastewater and reuse. With the launch of the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0), Shri Hardeep Puri is determined to take the cleanliness movement to the next level in urban areas of the country within the next 5 years by building more than 3.5 lakhs individual, community, and public toilets. He is also aiming to complete liquid waste management in cities with a population of less than 1 lakh.
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana
Aiming to strengthen the future of womenfolk and provide a safe future for their families, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Urban (PMAY-U) scheme has been persuasive in empowering women’s ownership of a pucca house. The scheme focuses on ‘Housing for All' by 2022 and has had a huge impact in empowering and facilitating the cause for women’s ownership of housing by mandatory registration of the house in the name of the woman. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana has sanctioned 17.3 lakh houses. Of these, 8.8 lakh beneficiaries have been allotted houses until now. Urban development, under the central scheme, saw a seven-fold jump in investment during the last 6 years of the prime ministership of Shri Narendra Modi ji.
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) was launched to reduce poverty and vulnerability of the urban poor households by enabling them to access gainful self-employment and skilled wage employment opportunities, resulting in an appreciable improvement in their livelihoods on a sustainable basis, through building strong grassroots level institutions of the poor.
Sonbhadra: Making an Aspirational District
As a Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), he adopted the Sonbhadra district, an aspirational district of Uttar Pradesh. From contributing his MP funds in turning an airstrip into an airport to putting in efforts for making Sonbhadra rank among the top five aspirational districts for July 2020, Shri Hardeep Puri has left no stone unturned in bringing a turnaround in Sonbhadra. He is also overseeing the Centre’s efforts to fast-track development plan of Ayodhya, where a grand Ram Mandir is being built.
Sewadaar of Punjab
Shri Hardeep Singh Puri was also fielded by the BJP for Amritsar Lok Sabha seat in 2019. He remains committed to the people of Punjab and be a ‘Sewadaar’ of the holy city. In the same year, he played a pivotal role in spearheading the development of Shri Sultanpur Lodhi Smart City.
Delhi: The Janmabhoomi
In his Janmabhoomi Delhi, Shri Hardeep Puri’s contributions encompass inauguration of the country’s maiden General Aviation Terminal at Delhi Airport, opening Trilokpuri section of Delhi Metro’s Pink Line, and unveiling flyover at Narela focusing on the development of the north Delhi sub city.
A Keen Observer and Critical Thinker
Shri Hardeep Singh Puri has always strived to enhance the area of Security and Strategic cooperation, Human Rights, Science and Technology Cooperation, and economic partnership with different countries. Handling a charge of more than one ministry allows him to work with a wide range of people which is a challenge for many, but he takes it with a smile and believes in working on collective intelligence. He has always believed in empowering and encouraging the manpower associated with him. Shri Hardeep Puri has proven this on numerous occasions.
Operation Ganga
In February 2022, the Russian invasion of Ukraine created an unprecedented situation that demanded efficient coordination and quick communication for the repatriation of Indians stuck in conflict-affected regions. Under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble PM Sh Narendra Modi Ji, Indian government launched ‘Operation Ganga’ to bring back stranded students and Indian citizens. Well-coordinated measures were taken to ensure the safe return of Indian citizens under the Operation Ganga initiative. A special envoy of four ministers was formed and Shri Hardeep Singh Puri was sent to Budapest in Hungary to oversee this large-scale evacuation process. Tens of thousands of Indians, including 6711 students, were safely brought back to India in a week's time.