Independence Day Speech: PM Modi pitches for self-reliant India on 74th Independence Day, Key Highlights-

New Delhi, August 15: In his seventh consecutive Independence Day speech here at Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the country must not only ‘Make in India’ but also ‘Make for the World’. Continuing his 'turban tradition', PM Modi used the newly coined phrase in an orange-colour headgear, with a dash of yellow shade along with a long trail extended till his ankle as he visited to celebrate India's 74th Independence Day.

 

 

 

PM Modi started his speech by paying homage to all those who have laid their lives down in the line of duty including the Indian Armed Forces and frontline workers amid the coronavirus pandemic while also remembering Aurobindo Ghose, a freedom fighter and spiritual philosopher whose birth anniversary falls today.

 

 

"Congratulations and best wishes to all the countrymen on this festival of Independence Day. The sacrifice and the resolve to free the country of lakhs of sons and daughters of Maa Bharati is the reason for us being able to breathe in independent India today. This is a day to remember the sacrifices of our freedom fighters. This is also a day to show gratitude to security personnel including that of Army, paramilitary and police ensuring our safety," PM Modi said.

 

"We are going through distinct times. I cannot see young children in front of me today (at Red Fort). Corona has stopped everyone. In these times of COVID, Corona warriors have lived the mantra of 'Seva Parmo Dharma' (service is the main duty) and served the people of India. I express my gratitude to them," he said. He also paid condolences to the families who had to face tragedies like floods and landslides. "In past few days we have faced tragedies like floods and landslide in many parts of India and many people lost their lives; my condolences to their families".

 

 

He said India was going through a unique phase due to the pandemic but would achieve victory thanks to the resolve of the people. "We are going through a unique situation because of coronavirus pandemic and hail 'corona warriors'. We will achieve victory over coronavirus with the resolve of people of the country. In the midst of coronavirus pandemic, Indians resolve to become 'self-reliant'; this is not a word but mantra for all people. It is necessary for us to prepare ourselves to make India self-reliant. India's share in the world economy should increase for which we have to be self-reliant. While we focus on economic growth and development, humanity must retain a central role in this process," he said.

 

 

Thereafter, the PM emphasized on the importance of becoming self-reliant, saying it was not just a word but a mantra 130 crore Indians should follow. He added that self-reliance would help increase India’s share in the world economy. "We have to move forward with the mantra of 'Make in India' as well as 'Make for World'. Today, many big companies in the world are turning to India. Self-sufficient India means not only reducing imports but also increasing our skills, our creativity. About 7,000 projects of different sectors have been identified to bring a new revolution in infrastructure. We have to remove silos and the entire country has to move towards multi-modal connectivity infrastructure," he said.

 

 

He also listed out a number of reform measures undertaken by his government which has resulted in a record Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the country last year. "World is witnessing the results of reforms which we are unveiling one after another; last year FDI in India broke all records with an 18% increase. Now along with Make In India, we have to move forward with mantra of Make For World also, he said. He informed that about Rs 90,000 crore directly transferred to bank accounts of poor; over 80 crore people provided free food grains. Seven crore poor families were given free gas cylinders. "Self-reliant India has an important priority -- self-sufficient agriculture sector and self-reliant farmers," he said.

 

 

PM Modi also announced the launch of the National Digital Health Mission saying that the mission will bring a "revolution" in the health sector in the country. "From today a new campaign is going to start in the country. It is the National Digital Health Mission. National Digital Health Mission will bring a new revolution in the health sector in India. One Health ID will have the information of every test, every disease, which medicine was prescribed to you by which doctor, what the reports were," he added.

 

 

PM Modi asserted that there are three vaccines against the virus are in the testing stage in the country and it is geared up for mass production once there is a green signal from scientists. Talking about the steps taken to increase the number of labs and production of protective equipment to prevent the spread of COVID-19, he said scientists were working hard for the production of the vaccine. Today in India, not one, or two but three vaccines are in the stage of testing. As soon as there is a green signal from scientists, the country is prepared to produce it in large numbers," he said. He said when coronavirus broke out, there was only one testing lab in the country and the number has now gone up to 1,400.

 

 

He also batted for mantra' Vocal for local'. Vocal for local should be the mantra of the free India, he said. "India became a challenge to forces of expansionism with its freedom struggle. For how long India will export raw materials and import finished products; country has to become self-reliant. We have to go beyond reducing our imports. Mindset today should be 'vocal for local'," he further said.

 

 

Remarking that those who challenge India's sovereignty, be it LoC or LAC, have been given a befitting reply in their own language. "India is committed to hold assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir once delimitation exercise is complete. Just as Sikkim has made its mark as an organic state, efforts are being made to make Ladakh a carbon neutral region. What India can do, world has seen it in Ladakh," he said. "Respect for India's sovereignty is supreme for us. Today, neighbours are not only those with whom we share our geographical boundaries but also those with whom our hearts meet," he further added.

 

 

Earlier, on his arrival at 7.14 am in front of the Lahore Gate of Red Fort, Prime Minister Modi was received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar. The GoC Delhi Area then conducted the Prime Minister to the Saluting Base where a combined Inter-Services and Police Guards presented general salute to PM Modi. Thereafter, the Prime Minister inspected the Guard of Honour.

 

After inspecting the Guard of Honour, the GoC Delhi area conducted the Prime Minister to the dais on the rampart to unfurl the national flag. On unfurling the national flag by Prime Minister Modi, the National Guard gave 'Rashtriya Salute' to the national flag. The Army Grenadiers Regimental Centre Military Band played the national anthem during unfurling of the national flag and the 'Rashtriya Salute'. The band was commanded by Subedar Major Abdul Gani.

 

Major Shweta Pandey assisted the Prime Minister in unfurling the national flag. The unfurling of the tri-colour was synchronised with the 21 Gun Salute fired by the valiant gunners of the elite 2233 Field Battery (Ceremonial). The ceremonial battery was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Jitendra Singh Mehta and the Gun Position Officer was Naib Subedar (AIG),Anil Chand.