PM’s address to the Nation at Red Fort on the 68th Independence Day - Highlights

PM’s address to the Nation at Red Fort on the 68th Independence Day - Highlights

Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today called upon all citizens to contribute to the cause of building national character. Addressing the nation for the first time from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 68th Independence Day, he said, it is an occasion for introspection for all, as to how his or her acts would weigh on the scale of National Interest. Let all actions be in the National Interest, and be seen as a contribution towards nation building, the Prime Minister said.  Greeting the people of India on Independence Day, Shri Narendra Modi stated that he was addressing them not as “Pradhan Mantri” but as “Pradhan Sewak” – the first servant.

Here are the highlights of his speech and new schemes announced

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a series of initiatives aimed at empowering the common man, and unleashing the potential of India`s youth.

* In a major new scheme to universalize banking access and financial inclusion, the Prime Minister announced the Pradhanmantri Jan-Dhan Yojana which will provide for a bank account, a debit card and an insurance amount of Rs. one lakh, to poor families.

* A nationwide “Skill India” movement will be initiated to provide skills which ensure employability.

* Prime Minister also announced a vision of “Come and Make in India”inviting manufacturers from across the world to invest in India, and help boost India`s industrial growth.

* Shri Narendra Modi announced his Government`s resolve to work towards Digital India, which would provide information and services to the people in a timely and effective manner.

* Stressing on the need for cleanliness, the Prime Minister announced his Government`s resolve for “Swachh Bharat” – a vision which will be launched on October 2nd this year, to be accomplished by 2019, on the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. In a related initiative, the Prime Minister said the first step towards “Swachh Bharat” begins with immediate effect, through a commitment to build toilets in all schools, including separate toilets for girls, within one year.

* Prime Minister announced the launch of the Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana, under which each Member of Parliament would be invited to make one model village in his constituency, by 2016. He said a complete blueprint for this scheme would be announced on October 11th, the birth anniversary of Shri Jayaprakash Narayan.

* Shri Narendra Modi announced that a new institution would be created to replace the Planning Commission. This new institution would respect the federal structure of the country, he asserted.

Referring to reports of the positive change in work culture of the Union Government since he took over as Prime Minister, the Prime Minister said he was taken aback by such news reports – since it should be the norm for Government Servants to work with due diligence. The Prime Minister said the fact that this should make news, shows how low our collective standards of duty and responsibility have fallen. The Prime Minister called upon society to give up the selfish attitude of “Mera Kya, Mujhe Kya.”

'We don't want to go ahead with the strength of numbers; we want to go ahead with unanimity. This could be seen in the just concluded Parliament session. We have taken the Opposition in agreement at every step.'

The Prime Minister also said he was appalled by the discord and disunity among various Government departments that he saw after assuming office. He assured the people that he would resolve this issue, so that the Government of India worked not as an assembled entity, but as an organic entity. The Prime Minister said development and good governance were the only two tracks which could take the nation forward

'I am an outsider in New Delhi. I have been away from the elite in this city. In the 2 months I have been here I now have an insider view. I was astonished. I saw many governments functioning within a government. One department fighting the other. So we are trying to break this wall; we want to have one mission and target: Take the nation forward.'

Can someone tell me, whatever we are doing, have we asked ourselves if our work has helped the poor or come to benefit the nation in any way? We should come out of the 'Why should I care' attitude and dedicate ourselves to the nation's progress

The Prime Minister expressed dismay at the rising number of rape incidents in the country. Pointing out that daughters are asked a lot of questions in a family, he called upon parents to question their sons also, and keep a tab on their activities. Every rapist is someone`s son, the Prime Minister said. In a similar vein, he called upon misguided youth who had taken to terrorism or Maoism, to give up violence and return to the national mainstream.

The Prime Minister quoted Shri Aurobindo and Swami Vivekananda, reflecting on their vision to see India as a “Jagatguru” once again, and called upon all Indians to help convert this vision into reality.