PM's address to the nation on 69th Independence Day
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, highlighted the resolve of 125 crore Indians, as "Team India", to root out corruption, and to make India a developed nation by 2022 – the 75th anniversary of independence.
Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of India's 69th Independence Day, the Prime Minister gave a broad overview of the achievements of Team India, over the last 15 months. He said that the unity, simplicity and brotherhood of 125 crore Indians, is the strength of this nation, and casteism and communalism have no place in our society.
The Prime Minister explained how various initiatives of his Government have resulted in removing corruption from different aspects of governance. In this context, he highlighted the auctions of coal, spectrum and FM radio licenses. He mentioned the PAHAL scheme for direct transfer of LPG subsidy, which has resulted in savings of Rs. 15,000 crore. He said the introduction of "neem-coated urea" has helped to end diversion of subsidized urea to non-agricultural purposes. He acknowledged that the common man still faces problems because of corruption. The Prime Minister described corruption as a termite, which needs bitter medicine, with possible side-effects, to cure. Through the various initiatives of the Government, the Prime Minister highlighted how each had contributed to the elimination of middlemen. He said that in the last year, the CBI had registered 1800 cases against corruption, as against 800 in the year before that.
The Prime Minister said important steps had been taken in the drive against black money, and the outflow of unaccounted income to foreign destinations had been checked.
The Prime Minister stressed on the need for farmers' welfare, and declared that the Ministry of Agriculture would be renamed as the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare. He said that his Government was focusing on raising farm productivity, and providing electricity and irrigation to farmers. He said the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana had been launched with an outlay of Rs. 50,000 crore.
The Prime Minister recalled some of the resolves he had made in his Independence Day address last year. He said the promise of toilets in all schools had been almost fulfilled, with the cooperation of States. He said financial inclusion had received a big boost with the opening of 17 crore bank accounts through the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana. He said the Rs. 20,000 crore deposited in the Jan Dhan accounts reflected the "richness of India's poor" (गरीबों की अमीरी).
The Prime Minister also spoke of the welfare schemes launched by the Union Government, including Atal Pension Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Yojana, and the schemes launched for labour welfare.
Describing children as the greatest brand ambassadors for "Swachh Bharat Abhiyan," the Prime Minister said this vision had generated great interest for the people of India.
The Prime Minister announced the "Start-Up India" initiative, which would encourage entrepreneurship among the youth of India. He said each of the 1.25 lakh bank branches, should encourage at least one Dalit or Adivasi entrepreneur, and at least one woman entrepreneur. "Start-Up India, Stand-Up India," the Prime Minister said.
On the long-standing demand from ex-serviceman for One-Rank, One-Pension, the Prime Minister reiterated that the demand had been accepted by the Government "in-principle." He said the modalities were being worked out with stakeholders, and he was hopeful of a positive outcome.
The Prime Minister reiterated his Government's resolve to make India a developed nation by 2022, with a house and access to basic services like electricity, to all. He said the Government had resolved to connect with electricity, all the 18,500 villages which still remain without power, within the next 1000 days. He also reiterated his vision for the development of eastern India.
Questioning the practice of "interviews" for recruitments even at relatively junior levels, the Prime Minister called upon concerned departments to end this practice at the earliest, and to promote merit by recruiting only through transparent, online processes.
History
The Independence Day of India is celebrated on the 15th of August to commemorate the birth of a free and democratic nation. 15th August, 1947 is the historic day that marks India’s freedom from the stranglehold of the British Raj. On the eve of 15th August 1947, the Indian flag was unfurled proudly by Jawahar Lal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, at the Red Fort in Delhi. Jawaharlal Nehru’s landmark ‘tryst with destiny’ has gone down in the annals of Independent India as a proud moment for Indians. Thus India’s Independence Day is a deeply inspiring day and a day to revel in the freedom and glory regained by our freedom fighters.
India maintained good trade relations with the western world, till the East India Company defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah and set its sight on India with the aim of colonizing it. The East India Company took over and later the Crown ruled with the Viceroy helming the administration.
The Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 put paid to the status quo with the Barrackpore Sepoy Mutiny rising up in arms against British rule, as did the Meerut uprising. Soon discontentment took serious proportions in the fierce battle of Jhansi, battle of Kanpur and violence and protests in Bengal, Bihar and Gujarat. The early wave of nationalism from 1885 to 1905 was led by liberalists like Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Dadabhai Naoroji and Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya who were believers in moderate politics and boasted of legal, literary backgrounds. Towards the end of the nineteenth century, the extremists comprising Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal and several other leaders dominated the political climate by launching a fierce attack on British rule. They insisted on boycotting foreign products and insisting on ‘swadeshi’ or homegrown products. Bal Gangadhar Tilak gave the call for 'Swaraj' and very soon the resounding of the slogan "Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it" filled the air.
From the Jalianawala Bagh tragedy to the Non-cooperation Movement and Quit India Movement, India’s struggle for freedom is chequered. The era of Gandhian nationalism gave direction to mass movements till the Quit India Movement or ‘Bharat Chhodo Andolan’ in 1942 finally shook the confidence of the British administration. By this time, the two World Wars had already taken its toll on the resources of the British. Finally, the bridled determination of Indians led to the ouster of the British Empire. The powers were transferred to Constituent Assembly in India, and India was declared a free country. India gained its independence on August 15, 1947.
Official Celebration
On the eve of India’s Independence Day, the President of India addresses the nation with a heartwarming speech which is telecast on television. On 15th August every year, the Prime Minister of India hoists the national flag at Red Fort in Delhi, followed by the official 21-gun salute and the Prime Minister’s Address. The national anthem is sung and makes every Indian’s heart fill with pride as the music drifts through this monumental structure, once regarded as a bastion of power.
The Prime Minister then presents his speech which evaluates the performance of the past year and offers insights on the way forward for achieving the next milestone. Tributes are paid to the martyrs for their contribution to the freedom struggle. A march past led by the Armed Forces, sequentially followed by the parade represented by the para military forces is held. In a heartrending display that is symbolic of India’s struggle for freedom, pageantry is shown, reminding us of how much our freedom fighters suffered to gain independence. Later, cultural programmes are held highlighting India’s cultural heritage and historic lineage.
In all state capitals of the country, similar programs are held at the state level. The Chief Ministers of the respective states unfurl the national flag and give a speech. This is followed by a parade and cultural events.
