• Tuesday, March 19, 2024

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PM Narendra Modi addresses nation on 75 years of Independence: Here is what he said

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi inspects the Guard of Honour at Red Fort on the occasion of 76th Independence Day, in New Delhi on Monday, August 15, 2022. (ANI Photo/PIB)

By: Shubham Ghosh

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi on Monday (15) addressed the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of its 75th anniversary of Independence. In his ninth consecutive speech since coming to power in 2014, Modi spoke for 83 minutes, touching upon various subjects, including the country’s forgotten heroes, ‘paanchpran’ (five promises), ‘naari shakti’ (women power), corruption and family dynasty, among other things.

Modi speaks about forgotten heroes

Modi, who was wearing a blue Nehru jacket and a white turban with imprints of the national Tricolour, started his speech by mentioning the forgotten heroes who played a role in the country’s Independence and recalled the strength of women and sacrifice made by the freedom fighters, including the likes of Rani Lakshmi Bai and Begum Hazrat Mahal, saying the nation is beholden to them. He also took the name of former leaders such as Rajendra Prasad, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Vir Savarkar and others as the builders of the nation.

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“The citizens are thankful to Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Babasaheb Ambedkar and Veer Savarkar who gave their lives on the path of duty,” he said.

Modi added that India’s innumerable revolutionaries had shaken the foundation of the British rule.

“This nation is thankful to Mangal Pandey, Tatya Tope, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru, Chandrashekhar Azad, Ashfaqulla Khan, Ram Prasad Bismil and our innumerable revolutionaries who shook the foundation of the British Rule,” he said.

Modi speaks about ‘paanchpran’

In his speech, the prime minister spoke about five pledges calling them ‘paanchpran’ to help India become a developed country in the coming years.

“In the coming years, we have to focus on ‘panchpran’ (fice promises). First, to move forward with bigger resolves and a resolve of developed India; second, to erase all traces of servitude; third, to be proud of our legacy; fourth, to focus on our strength of unity and fifth, to fulfill the duties of citizens with honesty, which should be done by the prime minister and chief ministers as well,” Modi said, adding, “I urge youth to dedicate the next 25 years of their lives for the nation’s development. We will work towards the development of entire humanity.”

Modi calls India the mother of democracy

Modi asserted that India is the mother of democracy and underlined that its strength lies in its diversity.

“Despite challenges faced post independence, nothing could hamper the zeal of Indian citizens. This soil has power; despite many challenges, India did not stop, did not bow down and kept moving forward. Our nation has proved we have inherent strength coming from our diversity, common thread of patriotism makes India unshakeable. I have dedicated myself to fulfilling Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of empowering the last man in the queue,” the prime minister said.

He also added that the world’s way of viewing India is undergoing a change.

Modi slams corruption, ‘parivaarvaad’ (dynastic rule)

PM Modi said India is currently facing two major challenges — corruption and ‘parivaarvaad’ (dynastic politics). He also urged the citizens to fight against corruption.

“Corruption is hollowing the country like a termite and we will have to fight it,” the prime minister said, adding those who looted India in the past are “paying for their sins now”.

“We are confiscating their ill-gotten gain. In India, where people are fighting poverty, we need to fight against corruption with all our might,” the PM added.

Modi praises ‘har ghar Tiranga’ (Tricolour at every house) campaign

Modi was elated over the ‘har ghar Tiranga’ (Tricolour at every house) campaign this Independence Day saying the nation’s enthusiasm for ‘Tiranga’ seen in the last three days could not have been imagined by many experts and it symbolised India’s reawakening.

“‘Har ghar Tiranga’ is an example of an entire nation coming together to celebrate the spirit of our glorious country,” he said.

India is currently celebrating ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ to commemorate the milestone of its 75 years of Independence.

The Red Fort was covered with multi-layered security on the occasion on Monday with more than 10,000 security personnel deployed at the venue. Around 7,000 invitees were present at the historical monument and a five-kilometre radius area around the fort was marked as a “no kite flying zone” till the prime minister hoisted the National Flag.

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