Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort on the occasion of the 71st Independence Day of India on Tuesday.
High security was deployed in and around the Red Fort. An additional 500 closed-circuit television and high-resolution cameras were placed in and around Red Fort.
Here are the highlights of PM Modi’s Independence Day speech:
- Together we will create an India which will have sufficient houses for the poor, will be healthy and clean. We will together create an India that is free from casteism and communalism. It will be ‘Divya India, Bhavya India’.
- No question of being soft on terrorism or terrorists.
- India has the largest youth population. We have to move ahead with digital technology in this age of IT (information technology)
- I request all the countrymen to take a pledge for ‘New India’ well in time and move ahead on the path of development. We have to realise the goal of New India by 2022.
- Neither abuse nor bullet will bring a change: PM Modi on Kashmir issue
- We will soon see increase in transparency with the implementation of GST
- We will continue our fight against black money and corruption
- We are fighting corruption – for the bright future of India and the well-being of the people
- Demonetisation has helped check corruption. We have identified approximately 18 lakh people for their disproportionate income
- After demonetisation, 3 lakh companies were discovered as shell companies and the registrations of 1.75 lakh companies were cancelled
- 99 irrigation schemes will be completed by 2019.
- Many countries are supporting us actively in our fight against terrorism.
- We are devoting significant attention to eastern India: Bihar, Assam, West Bengal, Odisha and the northeast. These parts have to grow.
- We are taking India on a new track (of development) and are moving ahead with speed
- I want to particularly mention those women who have to suffer due to ‘Tripe Talaq’. I admire their courage. We are with them in their struggles.
- Earlier, the slogan was ‘Bharat Chhorro’. Today, the slogan is, ‘Bharat Jodo’.
- Violence in the name of ‘Astha’ (faith) is not something to be happy about, it will not be accepted.
- India is about Shanti, Ekta and Sadbhavana. Casteism and communalism will not help us. Violence in the name of faith will not be tolerated in this country of Gandhi and Budhha
- We increased the duration of maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks
- We are nurturing our youngsters to be job creators and not job seekers.
- The ever-changing demands and evolving technology have changed the nature of jobs in India.
- The farmers need our support. They have been benefited by the various schemes launched by the government.
- About 9 crore farmers have got soil health cards, more than 2.5 crore poor women have got LPG gas connections.
- People of India have extended their full support be it the issue of gas subsidy, Swachh Bharat or demonetisation.
- Development is possible only through mass participation, individual contribution.
- We can reach Mangalyaan within 9 months, this is our capability, but one rail project was stuck for last 42 years.
- Together we will create a ‘New India’.
- This is an important year for people born in the 21st century.
- Our fight against corruption is being strengthened by technological advancements.
- The country’s security remains our priority; our forces have always proved their courage.
- Today is a celebration of honesty.
- GST has shown the spirit of cooperative federalism. The nation has come together to support GST & the role of technology has also helped.
- Those who have looted India and its people are not able to sleep peacefully today.
- The entire world recognised our strength and capability when the surgical strikes happened.
- We have been brought up amid hopelessness. Now, we have to move forward with hope and self-confidence.
- We have to leave this ‘Chalta Hai’ attitude. We have to think of ‘Badal Sakta Hai’.
- We have to create a nation where there is an equality and technological progress.
