What Modi said on India's 75th Independence Day

INDIAN prime minister on Sunday (15) announced a Rs 100 lakh crore (£ 9743 billion) ‘Gatishakti’ initiative to bring employment opportunities for the youth and to help in holistic infrastructure growth.

'Gatishakti National Master Plan'

Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi on the occasion of India’s 75th Independence Day, Modi said he will launch the ‘Pradhan Mantri Gatishakti National Master Plan’. He said the plan will help the country’s local manufacturers turn globally competitive and also develop possibilities of new future economic zones.

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The prime minister said India imported mobile phones worth $8 billion seven years ago and is now exporting mobile phones worth $3 billion.

After hoisting the Tricolour, he also said along with modern infrastructure, India needs to adopt a holistic approach in infrastructure construction.

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort during the celebrations to mark the country’s 75th Independence Day in Delhi on August 15, 2021. (Photo by MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)

“We will have to work together for manufacturing world class products, using cutting-edge innovation and new age technology,” he told the nation.

'Government aims to make small farmers country's pride'

The government’s focus is to make small farmers, who own less than two hectares of land and comprise over 80 per cent of all farmers, the country’s pride, Modi added.

“We are witnessing the rapid transformation of our villages,” Modi said while stressing that digital entrepreneurs are being nurtured in the country’s villages too.

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In 75 weeks of the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, 75 ‘Vande Bharat’ trains will connect different parts of the country, Modi announced.

The prime minister said the capitals of India’s northeastern states will soon be connected with the railways. The region, he said, is also getting connected with neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and Myanmar and other parts of southeast Asia.

'Development visible on ground in J&K'

On Jammu and Kashmir, Modi said the development of the region is visible on the ground, adding that the delimitation exercise is on and preparations are underway for assembly polls there.

Reservation is being ensured for Dalits, STs (Scheduled Tribes), backwards and general category poor, he added.

“We have to bridge the gap between lives in villages and cities," the prime minister said. Over 4.5 crore )450 million) new households have received piped water supply within two years of 'Jal Jeevan Mission,” he said.

Indian prime minister inspects a guard of honour upon his arrival before addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi during the celebrations to mark India's 75th Independence Day on August 15, 2021. (Photo by MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)

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.

India has to march ahead with new pledges for the next 25 years, Modi said.

'Atmanirbhar Bharat when India turns 100'

“We have to ensure we meet our goal of building Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-sufficient India) when we celebrate 100 years of India’s Independence,” Modi said.

He stressed that the day should not be merely a ceremony.

People can take pride that the world’s largest Covid vaccination programme is going on in the country, he said, lauding doctors, nurses as well those involved in vaccine-manufacturing and others involved in fighting Covid-19.

The pain of Partition was one of the greatest tragedies of the last century, the prime minister said while asserting that August 14 will be remembered as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day.

He also lauded India’s Olympic contingent that took part in the Tokyo Games recently. The contingent was present at the Red Fort. He said their performance encouraged the youth of the country.