Modi's 75th Independence Day speech: In a nutshell

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi delivered his eighth Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi on Sunday (15) which marked the country’s 75th Independence day. He touched upon several points to assert his vision of taking India forward in the days to come. The occasion this year also saw the presence of India’s Olympics contingent which has returned with the country’s best-ever medal haul from the quadrennial tournament.

Here is what he said in his independence day speech in brief:

• A delimitation constitution has been set up in Jammu and Kashmir and works are on to hold the assembly elections in the future.
• India's villages are under focus. While facilities like roads and electricity have already reached them, the optical fibre network is now providing power of data to the villages, Modi said. He added that the internet is making a penetration while digital entrepreneurs are getting ready in the rural areas.
• Modi said India now has to work together for the next-generation infrastructure, world-class manufacturing, cutting innovations and new-age technology.
• Modi said the 'Pradhan Mantri Gatishakti National Master Plan' -- a Rs 100 lakh crore (£ 973 billion) national infrastructure master plan which will help the country’s local manufacturers turn globally competitive and also develop possibilities of new future economic zones.
• The prime minister said 75 'Vande Bharat' trains will connect every corner of India in 75 weeks of 'Amrit Mahotsav of Independence' (unique initiative to celebrate and commemorate India's 75 years of Independence).
• Modi said India today has to pledge to make itself energy-independent before the completion of 100 years of independence. He said work is underway on 100 per cent electrification of Indian Railways with an aim to become net-zero carbon emitter by the year 2030. India currently spends more than £1,168 billion annually for importing energy.
• He announced the National Hydrogen Mission in view of the challenge of climate change. He focused on the importance of making India a hub of production and export of Green Hydrogen.
• The prime minister also gave a call for ‘Sabka Prayas’ (everybody’s efforts) along with ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas’ (Everyone’s support, everyone’s development and now everyone’s trust)) for building a new India.
• Modi emphasised on increasing the collective strength of the country's small farmers and providing them with new facilities.
• Modi announced that rice distributed through government schemes will be fortified with nutrients.
• The prime minister said reservation is being ensured for the Dalits (lower castes), Backward classes, Adivasis (tribals) and the poor people from the general category. Recently, reservation has also been ensured for the OBC category in the All-India quota in the field of medical education.