As India today marks the 77th Independence Day, the auspicious day began with PM Narendra Modi unfurling the national flag at the historic Red Fort in Delhi this morning.The prime minister also delivered his 10th consecutive Independence Day address today.
Greeting the citizens of the nation on the independence day, PM Modi tweeted, "Best wishes on Independence Day. We pay homage to our great freedom fighters and reaffirm our commitment to fulfilling their vision. Jai Hind!"
"We are fortunate to live in the 'Amrit Kaal' of independence. The decisions we make in this 'Amrit Kaal', our actions and sacrifices, would pave the way for a glorious history spanning the next millennium," PM Modi said.
From the atrocious ethnic violence in the northeastern state of Manipur and India's collective fight against corruption and nepotism to the Centre's roadmap to tackle inflation and climate change- PM Modi's speech encompassed several pressing issues that have been making headlines for long.
The nation is with Manipur: PM Modi
In light of the situation in ethnic clashes-hit Manipur, PM Modi today said that the situation in the state was improving and urged the people in the northeastern state to build on the peace restored there.
PM Modi in his speech asserted that the entire nation is with Manipur, and the Centre and the state government were making every effort to find a solution and will continue to do so.
"In the past few weeks, during the period of violence in the North East, especially in Manipur, many people lost their lives, and the honor of mothers and daughters suffered a lot, but in the last few days, there are reports of peace. The nation is with Manipur,” the Prime Minister said at the outset of his 10th consecutive address from the Red Fort.
"The people of Manipur should build on the peace that has been restored over the past few days. The path for a solution will be found through peace in Manipur," the Prime Minister said.
Collective fight against corruption, nepotism, appeasement
Despising corruption, nepotism and appeasement immensely, PM Modi said it is a collective responsibility to promote "suchita (probity), pardarshita (transparency), nishpakshta (objectivity)" to make India developed.
"It is Modi's life-long commitment to keep fighting against corruption...My government weeded out 10 crore fake beneficiaries of welfare schemes, seizure of ill-gotten assets rose by 20 times," he said.
Modi, addressing his 10th independence day speech, said that democracy has been affected by the ills of nepotism and alleged that dynastic parties work with the mantra of "party of the family, by the family and for the family".
25,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendra
PM Modi also announced that the Centre is working towards increasing the number of 'Jan Aushadhi Kendras' from 10,000 to 25,000.
Addressing the nation on the 77th Independence Day from the ramparts of the Red Fort, he said Jan Aushadhi Kendras have given new power to the people, especially the middle class.
"If someone is diagnosed with diabetes, then a monthly bill of Rs 3,000 gets accrued. Through Jan Aushadhi Kendras, the medicines that cost Rs 100, we are giving it at Rs 10 to Rs 15," he said.
Steps to tackle inflation
In a bid to tackle inflation, PM Modi said the Centre will be taking more measures designed to minimise the burden of price rise on people.
"The world is yet to fully recover from the impact of Covid pandemic. The war has created yet another problem. The world is grappling with the problem of inflation. Inflation has gripped the global economy," the prime minister said.
Further, he said when India import goods from other countries, "unfortunately" it also imports inflation.
While speaking about the pressing matter of inflation impacting millions of lives acrooss the nation, Modi said the government has taken several steps to keep inflation under control, and some success has been achieved.
"But we cannot be satisfied (just) because our situation is better than the world. We have to take more steps to minimise the burden of price rise on our people. We will definitely take the steps. My efforts will continue," he also added.
India showing way to fight climate change: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said India has shown the way to the world to fight climate change.
India has launched "Life Mission" which aims to stop mindless consumption of resources and formed important international coalitions such as International Solar Alliance (ISA) and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and International Big Cat Alliance.
"The entire world is grappling with climate change. India has shown the way to combat it," Modi said in his address to the nation from the Red Fort on the 77th Independence Day.
ISA aims to promote solar energy utilisation and facilitate cooperation among solar-rich countries for mutual benefits. It was launched in November 2015 at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris by Prime Minister Modi and then French President Francois Hollande.
CDRI is an international initiative aimed at promoting the resilience of infrastructure systems in the face of natural and man-made disasters.
It brings together governments, organisations and experts to collaborate on developing strategies, policies and technologies to enhance the resilience of critical infrastructure such as transportation, energy, water and communication networks to withstand and recover from various types of disasters.
The International Big Cat Alliance aims to protect and conserve seven major big cats - tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar and cheetah -- across the world.
