Prime Minister speech on 75th Independence day

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The Prime Minister of India called for everyone’s effort for inclusive development and world-class infrastructure in his independence day address.

Key Points in Speech

• Theme of the Speech: 
  • It was on the line of appeal to the economic agents in the country to aim for “world class” and “next generation” targets for the global economy as it reshapes after the pandemic.
• 5 aspects:
  • Freedom Struggle, 
  • Ideas at 75, 
  • Achievements at 75, 
  • Actions at 75 and 
  • Resolve at 75.
• Amrut Kal: 
  • The PM virtually prophesied the next 25 years till the centenary year of Independence as ‘Amrut Kal’, during which India will transform itself to newer heights.
• Pledges taken: 
  • Work together for Next Generation Infrastructure. 
  • Work together for World Class Manufacturing. 
  • Work together for Cutting Edge Innovation. 
  • Work together for New Age Technology.
• Prime Minister Gati Shakti national master plan: 
  • The plan will be Rs 100 lakh crore worth of infrastructure schemes that will generate employment opportunities. 
  • It appeared as a version of the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) announced by the government earlier. 
  • This new master plan will keep the foundation of a holistic infrastructure plan that will not work in silos.
• Urged manufacturing sector to go global: 
  • Indian manufacturers were urged  to produce world-class goods in the new economy and assured government support in their endeavors to break new grounds in the global economy. 
  • Should dream to capture the global market.
• Sabka sath, sabka vikas, sabka Vishwas, sabka Prayas: 
  • The slogan, introduced during his first tenure as the Prime Minister, was transformed to focus more on efforts from everyone.
  • The time has come in India’s development journey – ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas‘. Now, ‘Sabka Prayas’ (everyone’s effort) is important for the achievement of all our goals. 
• Connectivity
  • The work to connect the state capitals in the region with rail services will be completed soon.
  • Multiple parts of the country whether it’s east, northeast, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh including the entire Himalayan region, the coastal belt or the tribal region — will become a big base for India’s development in the future.
• Move towards Saturation:
  • The government will now target saturation level coverage of eligible beneficiaries of different welfare programmes launched by the government.
  • 100 percent villages should be connected through roads; 100 percent families should have a bank account; 100 percent beneficiaries should have Ayushmaan Bharat card; 100 percent eligible persons should have Ujjwala Gas connection
  • The saturation level target will cut down corruption during the implementation of these schemes. 
• Vision of new Cooperative Ministry for small farmers: 
  • It assured small farmers that the government was working for their welfare. 
  • Chhota Kisaan, Bane Desh ki shaan (small farmers become the pride of the nation)
  • In the upcoming year ,the aim is to further increase the collective strength of small farmers of the country, provide them with new facilities. 
  • ‘Kisan rail’ runs on more than 70 rail routes of the country today
• Fortified Rice
  • Government’s priority was to provide nutrition to every poor person of the country. 
  • Malnutrition and lack of essential nutrients in poor women and poor children poses major obstacles in their development. 
  • In view of this, it was decided that the government will fortify the rice given to the poor under its various schemes. 
  • It will give rice fortified with nutrition to the poor. 
  • Be it the rice available at the ration shop, the rice provided to the children in the mid-day meal, or the rice available through every scheme, it shall be fortified by the year 2024.
• Sainik Schools for Girls
  • Sainik Schools for girls were announced. 
  • A pilot project was done in the Sainik School of Mizoram two-two and half years ago by giving admission to girl children. 
    • Now the Government has decided that all the Sainik Schools will be open for girls. 
• National Hydrogen Mission
  • The setting up of the National Hydrogen Mission was announced. 
  • Green Hydrogen is the future of the world. 
  • Aim is to make India a Global Hub for Green Hydrogen Production and Export in the ‘Amrit Kaal’. 
• E-commerce platform for Self-Help Groups
  • For self-help groups, an e-commerce platform was announced. 
  • More than eight crore women in the villages are associated with Self-Help Groups and they design top-end products.
  • Now the government will create an e-commerce platform to ensure a huge market in the country and abroad for their products
• 75 Vande Bharat Trains
  • The country has resolved to celebrate the Amrit Mahotsav of independence for 75 weeks. 
  • It started from 12th March and will continue till 15th August, 2023. 
  • During these 75 weeks of the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence, 75 Vande Bharat trains will connect every corner of the country. 
  • The pace at which new airports are being built in the country and the UDAN scheme connecting remote areas is unprecedented.

• Reservation : Hand-holding of deprived communities necessary, reservation being ensured
  • Reservation is being ensured for Dalits, STs, backward and general category poor.

Issues not addressed

• The issue of international relations and in particular developments along the border did not get as much attention. 
  • As far as the military stand-off with China along the LAC is concerned, the Prime Minister virtually repeated last year’s formulation that India has resolutely stood against “terrorism and expansionism” and will counter them effectively. 
  • There was no reference to the situation in Afghanistan which is now a major geopolitical challenge in our immediate neighborhood.
• No accountability was taken on the present crisis and situation in the country.

Conclusion

• There is a need for world-class infrastructure to achieve these aspirations and open new economic opportunities.
• India has to move forward with all the five aspects mentioned in the speech. 
  • All these should include the ideas and feelings of 130 crore people of the country.

Sources: IE