Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday delivered his 11th speech from the Red Fort on Independence Day. He covered a wide range of topics the in address that lasted for more than 90 minutes. Keeping up with the theme of Viksit Bharat 2047, the PM mentioned the road for a developed India. He said that if 40 crore Indians could achieve independence, then 140 crore could make India a developed nation.
Road to Viksit Bharat
In the address, PM Modi said that the road to Viksit Bharat had been laid down with the suggestions of citizens from all walks of life. He said that a few suggestions that he received included making India a skill hub, an educational capital, a media capital, aatmanirbhar. He further added that the people of the country wanted India to be an food exporter and support small scale farmers, some wanted governance reforms, justice reforms, greenfield cities, Indian space station, and traditional medicines and wellness hub. He added that the collective goal was to make India the 3rd biggest economy soon.
75,000 new medical college seats
One of the major announcements made by the Prime Minister was that the country would see the creation of 75,000 new medical college seats in the next five years. This is to decrease the number of students flying abroad to study medicine. He said about 25,000 students go abroad to study medical every year. Modi said that even today, children, mostly belonging to the middle class, are going abroad for medical education. They spend “lakhs and crores” on medical education abroad, he said. He said that his government increased the total medical seats to about 1 lakh in the last 10 years.”Around 25,000 youths every year go abroad for medical education and they go to such countries, I get surprised when I hear about them.”So we have decided, 75,000 new seats will be created in the medical line in the next five years,” Modi stated.
He said Viksit Bharat should be Healthy Bharat as well and hence the government has given special attention to nutrition.
“We want to build such an education system in India that youngsters do not need to go abroad to study. In fact we would want foreign students to come here and study,” Modi said.
UCC and One Nation One Election
PM Modi spoke about his desire to implement the Uniform Civil Code and One Nation One Election. He said that currently India’s civil code is communal. He added that even the Supreme Court had ordered to implement the law. Modi said there have been many discussion on Uniform Civil Code in the past and it the “need of the hour” to have a secular civil code in the country that should be ‘secular’ and not ‘discriminatory’. Modi said widespread discussions are needed and urged everyone to share their opinions. He said that laws dividing the country along religious lines should be abolished, as they have no place in a modern society.
“There should be discussions on the Uniform Civil Code. The present civil code appears to be ‘communal’. India needs a ‘secular’ civil code. It is need of hour to have a secular civil code and do away with discriminatory communal civil code,” Modi said in Independennce Day speech, over two months after returned to pwoer for a record-equalling third term.
“Supreme Court has held discussions regarding Uniform Civil Code again and again, it has given orders several times. A large section of the country believes — and it is true, that the Civil Code that we are living with is actually a Communal Civil Code in a way…I would say that it is the need of the hour to that there be a Secular Civil Code in the country…only then would we be free of the discrimination on the basis of religion…” he added.
The push for a Uniform Civil Code has been a key element in the BJP’s agenda, as reflected in its manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections. Several BJP-led state governments have already begun moves to implement such a code.
Foreign investments
The BJP leader said that this was a time when a large number of global companies wanted to invest in India. He urged the states to welcome multinational corporates to set up their offices.
“It’s a golden opportunity” to make India a hub of global manufacturing, he said, and called upon state governments to make polices to attract investment, while ensuring good governance and law and order.
Modi also said the country needs to work on “Design In India” and “Design for the World”. In sync with the Industry 4.0 revolution, the PM said the government’s focus is on comprehensive skill development, spanning every sector, from agriculture to sanitation. Through ‘Skill India’ programme, India has ignited growth and a new momentum, he added.
Infrastructure boost
Modi spoke about the steps taken to boost the country’s infrastructure in the last 10 years. He said that there were developments in railways, road connectivity, houses constructed, and an overall development in the northeast region. He added that the government had taken steps to improve ease of living. The PM said that India’s 5G connectivity had spread across the nation in record time and work on 6G connectivity had already started.
Reforms and schemes
The Prime Minister spoke about several reforms and schemes that his government has introduced. The commitment to reforms is the blueprint for growth and is not borne of any political compulsion but the dedication to nation first.
In this context, Modi noted the growth of the banking sector, which he added has powered the progress in every sector “There was no development and trust in the sector. Our banks were struggling because of scams. We made several reforms. Today Indian banks are placed amongst the best banks of the world. Everyone is getting benefitted through loans provided by banks,” he said.
He recounted many of these ideas– including reform in justice system, campaign for capacity building, developing India’s traditional systems of medicine.
He cited his government’s success in taking electricity to unelectrified areas, piped water to crores of homes, expanding ‘vocal for local’ programme and boosting renewable energy to assert that it has infused a new confidence and consciousness among people.
The nation feels proud when the world wants to learn from its achievements in the fintech sector, Modi said.
Women empowerment and punishment for sexual predators
In the wake of recent Kolkata doctor incident, Modi said that such predators must be afraid of laws. He said there there is a need to widely publicise punishments given for atrocities against women, so that there is a fear of consequence. He added that his government has worked on a “women-led development model,” but he was still concerned over incidents of rape and violence against women.
The Prime Minister said there is anger among people against such incidents.
“We have worked on a women-led development model. Whether it is innovation, employment, entrepreneurship, in every sector women are marching ahead,” Modi said.
“Look at the defence sector — air force, army navy, space sector, we are seeing the strength of women everywhere. But on the other hand, some disturbing things also come forward,” he said.
“Today from the Red Fort, I want to express my pain. As a society, we will have to think seriously about the atrocities against our mothers, sisters and daughters. There is anger among common people because of this. I can feel that rage,” he said.
The PM said the country must take such incidents seriously and the fear of reprisal must be struck among the perpetrators.
“Crimes against women should be probed swiftly, and stringent punishment should be given to those who commit demonic acts, it is important to instil confidence in the society,” he said.
“Those who commit such sins should know that they will be hanged. It is important to have that fear,” Modi added.
Speaking of women empowerment, Modi spoke of the self help groups. About 10 crore new women have joined self-help groups and have become integral to family decision-making, contributing to broader social change, Prime Minister said.
“We are proud to see that women are becoming economically self-reliant,” Modi said.
“When women become self-reliant, they participate in family decision-making processes, which will ensure significant social transformation,” he said.
Modi drew a parallel between the global success of Indian CEOs and the achievements of women in these self-help groups, remarking, “While our CEOs gain global recognition, one crore women are becoming Lakhpati Didis.”
He also said the government has decided to allocate between Rs 10 and 20 lakh to these groups.
“So far, Rs 9 lakh crore have been provided to support our women’s self-help groups,” Modi said.>
