India, March 29 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated Phase I of the Noida International Airport in Jewar: a project first approved in 2003 that survived three Governments, four postponements, and over two decades of political blame before a plane could taxi on its runway.

Standing before a crowd of thousands, Modi did something unusual for an airport inauguration. After pulling the ceremonial curtain, he declared the job only "half done." He asked every person present to switch on their mobile phone flashlights and raise their hands, effectively handing the inauguration over to the public.

"This is your property, this is your future, this is your hard work, and therefore, its inauguration is also being done by your ha...