Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Outlining the roadmap for a new and assertive India, PM Narendra Modi on August 15, 2021, announced a slew of development programmes, including a landmark National Master Plan of Prime Minister ‘Gati Shakti’ , a worth Rs 100 lakh crore initiative, to boost infrastructure development and employment opportunities
PM Modi, in his eighth consecutive address from the ramparts of Red Fort on the 75th Independence Day, called for making the next 25 years glorious for India with “new thresholds, aspirations and dreams” in the run-up to the centenary of its independence from British colonial rule. This will lead to an India which will have every modern infrastructure of the world, Modi said.
Modi also said India is fighting the challenges of terrorism and expansionism with great courage and astuteness. He said that India does not hesitate in taking tough decisions and has political will to do so
Today, on the pious festival of the Amrit Mahotsav of freedom, the country is bowing to all its freedom fighters and brave heroes who continue to sacrifice themselves day and night in the defense of the nation. The country is remembering every personality, including the revered Bapu, who made freedom a mass movement, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, who sacrificed everything for the freedom, or great revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh, Chandrasekhar Azad, Bismil and Ashfaqulla Khan; Rani of Jhansi Lakshmibai, Queen Chennamma of Kittur or Rani Gaidinliu or the valour of Matangini Hazra; the country’s first Prime Minister Pandit Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who integrated the country into a united nation, and Baba Saheb Ambedkar, who determined and paved the way for the future direction of India. The country is indebted to all these great personalities, Modi said.
The PM said while we celebrate our freedom today, we cannot forget the pain of partition that still pierces through the heart of all Indians. This has been one of the biggest tragedies of the last century. After attaining freedom, these people were forgotten too soon. Just yesterday India has taken an emotional decision, we will henceforth commemorate August 14 as “Partition Horrors Remembrance Day” in the memory of the victims of partition. “Those who were subjected to inhuman circumstances, suffered torturous treatment, could not even receive a dignified cremation. They must all remain alive and never get erased from our memories. The decision of celebrating “Partition Horrors Remembrance Day” on the 75th Independence Day is a befitting tribute from every Indian to them,” Modi said.
Modi said it is a moment of pride for us that because of our scientists, we were able to develop two Make in India Covid Vaccine and carry out the world’s Largest Vaccine Drive. It was extremely difficult to get vaccine during such a major crisis, with pandemic plaguing the entire world. India might or might not have received it and even if it had received the vaccine there was no certainty of getting that in time. “But today we can proudly say that the world’s largest vaccination programme is being run in our country. More than 54 crore people have received the vaccine dose. Online systems like Cowin and digital certificates are attracting the world today,” the PM added, according to a PIB release.
Modi said it is true that fewer people have been infected in India compared to other countries; but it is also true that in comparison to the population of other countries of the world, we managed to save more citizens in India but it is not something to be proud of! We cannot rest on these laurels. To say that there was no challenge, will become a restrictive thought in the path of our own development. Our goal is to develop a nation where we not only have world-class infrastructure but also move ahead with the mantra of ‘Minimum government, maximum governance’.
The way India has kept the stoves burning for the poor’s house by providing free foodgrains to 80 crore countrymen continuously for months during the pandemic is not only astonishing to the world but also a matter of discussion, Modi said. He also said India’s young generation made our country proud at the Tokyo Olympics. All such athletes are amongst us today. They have not only won our hearts but also inspired our young generation, the PM said.
PM Modi said that in this Bharat ki Vikas Yatra, we have to ensure that we meet our goal of building an AatmaNirbhar Bharat when we celebrate 100 years of India’s Independence. Just as we have made electricity accessible to 100% households, and have made authentic efforts to construct toilets in 100% households, similarly, we now have to move ahead with the goal of achieving saturation of schemes, and, for this, we do not have to keep a distant deadline. We have to make our resolutions come true within a few years.
Now, we have to move even further. 100% villages should have roads, 100% households should have a bank account, 100% beneficiaries should have Ayushman Bharat card, 100% eligible persons should have gas connection under Ujjwala scheme, and 100% beneficiaries should have Aawas. We have to move ahead with a mindset of cent percent achievement.Till now, no thought was given for our street vendors, who sell their goods on tracks, footpaths and carts. All these colleagues are now being linked to the banking system through the SVANidhi scheme. ” I am happy that just within 2 years of Jal Jeevan Mission, over 4.5 crore families have started receiving Nal Se Jal; this is our main achievement when the benefit reaches the last mile citizen,” PM Modi said.
The PM said we need to provide hand holding to the backward categories and sectors. With the concern of fulfilling the basic needs, reservation is being ensured for the Dalits, Backward classes, Adivasis ,and the poor people from general category. More recently, in the field of medical education, reservation has also been ensured for the OBC category in the All India Quota. By formulating a law in Parliament, the right to make their own list of OBC has been given to the states, Modi said.
He said Ladakh is witnessing a new transformative phase where the government is focusing on building world-class infrastructure.On one hand, Ladakh is witnessing the creation of modern infrastructure, while on the other, ‘Sindhu Central University’ is going to make Ladakh a centre of higher education, Modi added.
“I want to tell the manufacturers – Every product you make is a brand ambassador for India. As long as that product is in use, the buyer will say – yes this isMade in India. We have to stop the over involvement of government in the form of complex policies. Today, we have abolished over 15,000 unnecessary compliances,” PM Modi said.
In the 21st century, no obstacle can stop us from fulfilling the dreams and aspirations of India, the PM said. Our strength is our vitality, our strength is our solidarity, our vitality is the spirit of nation first – always first. “This is the time for shared dreams, this is the time for shared resolve, this is the time for shared efforts… and this is the time to move towards victory,” PM MOdi added.