PM’s Independence Day address

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• A Look at PM’s Previous Speeches
• Key Highlights of the PM’s 10th Speech Delivered on 77th Independence Day

 

Why in News?

• While delivering his 10th address (last of his second term) from the ramparts of the Red Fort, the India PM has articulated a wide range of ideas in his Independence Day speech.
• These ideas include Vedic phrase “Sangachhadhwam” or taking along all, a resolve to fight corruption, abandoning “ghulami ki manasikta” or the mentality of servitude, etc.

 

A Look at PM’s Previous Speeches:

• 2014 - Taking all along: He invoked Sanskrit expression Sangachhadhwam: “We walk together, we move together, we think together, we resolve together and together we take this country forward.”
• 2015 - Corruption focus: Team India, which comprises 1.25 billion people, can become corruption-free. In the year prior to the formation of the new government, the CBI had only registered 800 cases.
  • However, in the past year, 1,800 cases have already been registered.
• 2016 - Terrorism, welfare: The PM spoke about terrorism and Maoism, and announced a new healthcare scheme under which BPL families would be entitled to avail treatment up to Rs 1 lakh per year.
• 2017 - Bharat Jodo: Observing that 2017 was the 75th anniversary of the Quit India movement, Modi said that while Quit India was about “Bharat Chhodo”, the call of today is “Bharat Jodo”.
• 2018 - Report card: In the last Independence Day address of his first term (2014-19), the PM presented a report card of his government’s key achievements, including -
  • Making India 100% open defecation free,
  • Electrification,
  • Providing LPG gas connection to every woman in rural and urban areas,
  • Implementation of GST,
  • Constitutional status given to the OBC Commission, etc.
• 2019 - Ideological push: After returning with a thumping majority, the PM’s speech articulated his government’s ideological agenda - Article 370 and Triple Talaq - and spoke of new initiatives like the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).
• 2020 - Covid, self-reliance: In the year of Covid-19, the PM spoke about the pandemic and the need for Self-Reliant India (Aatmanirbhar Bharat).
• 2021 - Vision for 2047: In 2021, the PM urged all Indians to make efforts to build a new India by 2047. By 2047 -
  • 100% villages should have roads,
  • 100% households should have a bank account,
  • 100% beneficiaries should have Ayushman Bharat card,
  • 100% eligible persons should have gas connections under Ujjwala scheme, and
  • 100% beneficiaries should have aawaas/own house.
• 2022 - “Panch Pran”: The PM had urged the people of the country to focus on the “Panch Pran” (Five Resolutions) for the coming 25 years -
  • To move ahead with the major resolve of a developed India.
  • To liberate ourselves from the mindset of slavery.
  • To feel proud of the country’s heritage and legacy.
  • Unity and solidarity.
  • Duty of citizens.

 

 

Key Highlights of the PM’s 10th Speech Delivered on 77th Independence Day:

• The resolution of the crisis in Manipur: It is possible only through “peace” and that the Central and state governments are putting all their efforts into it.
• Inflation: The PM promised that his government would take measures to bring relief to the common people.
• Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhaye:
  • For people having traditional skills [like the Raj Mistris (construction workers), Sunar (goldsmith), Suthar (carpenters), etc - mostly from the OBC community] the PM announced Vishwakarma Yojana.
  • The PM said the government would launch a new scheme to help those living in rented houses in cities to build their own homes.
  • His government is working to increase the number of “Jan Aushadhi Kendras” from 10,000 to 25,000.
• Women-led development:
  • He announced his dream to see 2 crore “Lakhpati didis” in village Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
  • For this, his government has decided to start a new scheme, in which SHG women will be trained to operate and repair drones.
• Track record in the last nine years:
  • His government had brought reforms and transformed the country into a “vishwamitra (friend of the world)”.
  • The Centre’s contribution to state governments had gone up to Rs 100 lakh crore from Rs 30 lakh crore in 9 years for housing schemes (PMAY), Ayushman Bharat, JJM, etc.

 

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Q1) What is Quit India Movement?

The Quit India Movement, also known as the Bharat Chhodo Andolan, was a movement launched at the Bombay session of the All-India Congress Committee by Mahatma Gandhi on 9 August 1942, during World War II, demanding an end to British rule in India.

 

Q2) What is the Jal Jeevan Mission?

Jal Jeevan Mission is envisioned to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections by 2024 to all households in rural India.

 

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Source: PM Modi touches on problem areas in I-Day speech: Manipur, inflation, unemployment | IE