PM Modi says India aims to become developed nation by 2047, highlights 12 years of growth on Independence Day
New Delhi, August 15
The Nation is celebrating its 80th Independence Day today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the Independence Day celebrations from the iconic Red Fort in Delhi. Upon his arrival, for the first time the national song Vande Mataram was rendered at the Red Fort. The hoisting of the National Flag was synchronised with the 21 Gun Salute and flower petals were showered by two Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force. The celebrations this year also commemorate Yuva Shakti, acknowledging the contribution of young India in building a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Addressing the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort, Prime Minister Modi said that over the past twelve years, crores of citizens of the country, with their determination and dedication, made every possible effort to take the country to new heights. He said, India which was once among the Fragile Five economies has now emerged as a major and the fastest-growing economy in the world. He said, due to these efforts, 25 crore people have come out of poverty. Mr Modi said that India has set a big goal, to become a developed nation by 2047.
Prime Minister Modi said that India has successfully overcome several unprecedented crises while progressing towards the goal of a developed nation by 2047. He recalled the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia. He said, during these crises, several predictions and rumours were spread to create fear among the people about shortages of vaccines, fuel, gas, diesel and fertilizers. Mr. Modi added that India’s well-planned policies, preparations and proactive measures helped the country face these challenges effectively. Prime Minister said the government’s approach, guided by the principle of Nagrik Devo Bhava, ensured that arrangements made during the past decade proved effective in times of crisis.
Prime Minister Modi said that many times, a country does not stop because of a lack of resources but stops because of the limitations of its thinking. He said, today, India has to depend on crude oil and and this is also a result of the limitations of thinking. He said, the government has opened up the 99 per cent of offshore areas that were once designated as no-go zones and converted them into go-ahead areas. He said, the government is now actively pursuing exploration beneath the sea and making efforts to discover new reserves.
Prime Minister Modi said energy security is one of the major requirements of the present times and the government has taken several significant steps in this direction. He said nuclear energy is an important means of ensuring a country’s energy security. Mr. Modi said the government is moving forward with the aim of 100 gigawatts of nuclear power capacity by 2047. He added that India has set a target of commissioning five new nuclear reactors during the current decade.
Prime Minister Modi said since 2014, India has entered into Free Trade Agreements with nearly 40 countries, creating enormous opportunities for Indian businesses and exporters. The Prime Minister called upon the country’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs, to make full use of these opportunities and ensure that Indian products reach markets across the world.
Prime Minister Modi said that government has decided that one crore youth will be given training in AI skilling in the next one year. He said, this will enable them to take the lead in the global AI sector. Mr Modi said, the country has to focus on three things – cost, quality and skill.
Prime Minister said, a talent hunt will be launched across villages, cities and schools to identify talent among children aged five to 15 years. He said, the children’s talent will be identified, and they will be given special training to help them become good players for the country. He said, today India is making its place in the world of sports. Mr Modi said, in 2030, India will host the Commonwealth Games.
Prime Minister Modi announced to provide free online coaching for poor and middle class family for various public examination. He said, this is a revolutionary step towards making quality education accessible to everyone, led by top teachers. He said, this will save thousands of crore rupees of Middle class family in coaching classes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged all parties to support the implementation of women’s reservation in Parliament and state assemblies without making it a political fight. In his Independence Day address to the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort, Mr Modi asked them to step forward to honour women and ensure that country’s women secure 33 per cent representation in the Legislative Assemblies and the Lok Sabha as soon as possible. He said , women should be given the opportunity to contribute to shaping India’s policies.
On naxalism, the Prime Minister said that the people of the country gave the opportunity to serve the nation in 2014 and he resolved to make the country free from Naxalism. He expressed happiness in saying that today Naxal-Maoist violence has lost its strength and breathing its last. He said, today the Naxal-affected regions are witnessing the tricolour of development, trust and efforts.
In his address, the Prime Minister called upon the nation to harness the seven streams of strength called as Sapt Dhara. He said, in the next five to seven years, the country will achieve all those that could not be achieved in the past five to seven decades. He said, with the strength and potential of Sapt Dhara, the government will take the nation to new heights and empower it to achieve and surpass new goals.
Prime Minister Modi said that in the next seven to eight years, another 5 to 8 semiconductor plants are set to commence operations. He said, India has started production at three semiconductor manufacturing plants. the Prime Minister said, the country’s progress in the semiconductor sector reflects its increasing technological self-reliance.
Prime Minister highlighted the government’s focus on critical minerals saying that modern technology depends entirely on critical minerals, and India is actively working to secure its position in this sector. He said, India has launched the National Critical Minerals Mission and announced the Critical Mineral Corridor. Mr Modi added that agreements are being signed with several countries, and nations around the world are increasingly placing their trust in India.
The Prime Minister said that the pace of Railway electrification has accelerated significantly over the past decade. He said, in the 90 years from 1925 to 2015, only about 30 percent of the rail network had been electrified. Mr Modi highlighted that in just ten years, the remaining 70 percent of the network has been electrified, achieving 100 percent electrification. He said, this rapid transition to electric traction has reduced the dependence on imported diesel, resulting in substantial savings.
The Prime Minister said, in recent days, some parts of the country have witnessed severe floods and landslides, affecting many families. The Prime Minister assured all the affected families that the entire nation stands firmly with them. He said, a nation becomes great when it moves forward on the strength of its resolve and capabilities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the government has set an ambitious target to strengthen India’s position globally. In his address to, Mr Modi said that India should aim to have 50 companies among the Fortune 500 companies in the coming decade. He added that at least one Indian bank should be among the world’s top five banks. He said, India has done a lot of work in the pharmaceutical sector and the need of the hour is that one of India’s pharmaceutical companies should be among the world’s five largest pharmaceutical companies.