Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his 85 minute speech on Independence Day, launched important economic schemes designed specifically to accelerate job creation, promote entrepreneurship and self employment, and thrust the agriculture sector.
He virtually announced a new industrial policy, saying investment proposals related to manufacturing and other sectors would now be evaluated, and incentives given based on their potential to create jobs. Modi announced the 'Start-Up India' initiative, launched to create a web of entrepreneurs and help the country become home to the largest number of startups in the world. “Start up India! Stand up India,” he said, urging banks to encourage Dalit and women entrepreneurs.
“You will see that soon there will be a web of startups across India. New entrepreneurs will be born. Some unit will employ two, some four and soon there will be a transformation in the country's economy,” Modi said, as he outlined the theme of the new initiative that is expected to promote entrepreneurship and self-employment.
The Prime Minister stated that every single one of the 125,000 branches of public sector banks should encourage at least one scheduled caste or scheduled tribe entrepreneur, and a woman entrepreneur, as he associated the scheme to the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of Dr B R Ambedkar, an icon for the dalit community. He further said the existing incentives for encouraging manufacturing and exports would continue, but the employment generation potential would now be a critical parameter for the provision of assistance like interest subsidy and investment allowance.
Modi used the occasion to announce the expansion of the responsibility of the agriculture ministry to include welfare of the farmers, whose role, as he mentioned, was as important as that of a soldier. “Agricultural growth alone cannot be enough for rural areas. It is equally important that we pay attention to the welfare of farmers and that there is an institutional mechanism to address the problems farmers face in their daily lives,” said Modi renaming the agriculture ministry as “Ministry for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare”.
The announcements made by Modi, can be seen as a form of assurance by the ruling Bharatiya Janta Party's promises made during the election campaigns.
Fiery answer to the Opposition
“Na khaunga, na khaane doonga,” echoed Modi's voice at the Red Fort. The Prime Minister was under constant attack in the recently conducted Parliament's Monsoon Session, where the Congress party stuck to their theme and bombarded the ruling BJP party. For weeks, Modi was attacked for not acting against his allegedly corrupt colleagues. However, he took his chance when he got one, saying his government had not pilfered a single paisa from the exchequer.
On the contrary, he said, black money worth 6.5 billion pounds had already been unearthed, ruling out any dilution in the law to bring back illicit assets stashed abroad. In his speech, Modi bordered no the theme of corruption and made unapologetic digs at the Congress, detailing the government's successes and measures in tackling the menace.
Modi, who has been under pressure to deliver on his promise to bring back black money, struck a tough note as he defended the law his government has brought. “After its enactment (of black money law), every week people call us and complain that we have passed a very stringent law. They call it a draconian law and a black law and say that officers would harass them ... We need injections if the disease is serious. Doctors also warn us about the side-effects of such injections. Similarly, this disease is so serious that if we want a treatment, we will have to bear the side-effects also. I know some people are upset with the law which we have passed. They find it troublesome. We have received many messages for diluting provisions and relaxing it. Today, I would like to tell the countrymen that even while bearing the side-effects, we are moving forward against black money,” Modi said.
“We have given some grace period for declaring undisclosed income and today, I can say that people have come forward and declared their undisclosed income amounting to 6.5 billion pounds. This amount will accrue to our exchequer. It will benefit the poor of India,” Modi said, adding that people were no longer able to take their illegal money abroad.
“Those who have been engaged in corruption themselves keep suggesting prescriptions for fighting it, just as the person who gives health tips to others despite being unwell himself,” Modi said. The comments as many deemed being at Congress, came with the reminder of the loss of billions due to the allocation of coal blocks, on the basis of 'chits' under the UPA rule.
Opts out bullet proof screen
Prime Minister Modi yet again chose to opt out of the standard bullet proof glass screen. Not known as one to stick with protocols, Modi insisted not to install the bullet proof glass enclosure, despite the home ministry favouring utmost security. The Prime Minister argued he would connect better with the people without the enclosure as the ministry persisted over high threat levels this year.
With the recent execution of Yakub Memon, and various other incidents in the past few months, the Intelligence Bureau said the threat perception to Modi was exceptionally high this year. An IB official even stated that Modi was under the highest threat after Rajiv Gandhi. With the mad rate at which neighbouring Pakistan kept indirectly attacking the country and the recent hanging of Memon that sent everybody into a frenzy, security force at this year's I-day celebrations was pretty tight and enhanced.
All areas in and around Delhi were sanitized. Vehicles coming into the city were checked thoroughly and all alerts received by the Intelligence Bureau were analysed and scrutinised. High rise buildings were sanitized.
What surprised the security was Modi's sudden, uninformed walk through the area where kids were seated. Alfiya, a class VIII student said, “I have been here twice. He shook my hand. I have so much to tell my parents when I get home. It was amazing.” Officials from the directorate of education had a tough time controlling the kids, who went berserk as soon as Modi reached out to them. “We had planned everything so well. The PM's visit was so sudden, the students became very difficult to control,” said one of the officials. Aanchal Pal a class XI student had a similar story, “We woke up at 4 am. We were seated here for five hours, but it was worth it. I am a big fan of Modi and could finally catch a glimpse of him from close quarters.”
