Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking the 75 years of India's Independence, addressed the nation from the fortifications of Red Fort for the 9th consecutive time. In his 83-minute-long speech, he said that India will be a developed nation in the next 25 years. He also talked about the forgotten heroes of the country, panchpran, naari shakti, corruption and family dynasty, among other things.
PM Modi started his speech by honouring the forgotten heroes who played a role in the country's Independence and recalled the strength of women and sacrifice of freedom fighters including Rani Lakshmi Bai and Begum Hazrat Mahal. He also said that Rajendra Prasad, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Vir Savarkar and others were the nation builders. The PM said, “The citizens are thankful to Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Babasaheb Ambedkar and Veer Savarkar who gave their lives on the path of duty."
Marking that the heroes of history have been forgotten, he said India's innumerable revolutionaries shook the foundation of British Rule. This nation is thankful to Mangal Pandey, Tatya Tope, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru, Chandrashekhar Azad, Ashfaqulla Khan, Ram Prasad Bismil and our innumerable revolutionaries who shook the foundation of the British Rule”.
'Panchpran' pledge
During the speech, which he started after unfurling the Tricolour, he talked about the five pledges calling it “Panchpran” to help India become a developed nation in the coming years. "In the coming years, we have to focus on Panchpran (5 promises). First, to move forward with bigger resolves and a resolve of developed India, second, to erase all traces of servitude, third, to be proud of our legacy, fourth, to focus on our strength of unity and fifth, to fulfill the duties of citizens with honesty, which should be done by the Prime Minister and Chief Ministers as well."
Mother of democracy
India is the mother of democracy and diversity is its strength, he said, "Despite challenges faced post independence, nothing could hamper the zeal of Indian citizens. This soil has power; despite many challenges, India did not stop, did not bow down and kept moving forward. Our nation has proved we have inherent strength coming from our diversity; common thread of patriotism makes India unshakeable. I have dedicated myself to fulfilling Mahatma Gandhi's vision of empowering the last man in the queue."
Attacks corruption, 'parivaarvaad'
He said India is currently facing two big challenges – Corruption and “parivaarvaad” (nepotism). "Corruption is hollowing the country like a termite and we will have to fight it." He added that those who looted India in the past are "paying for their sins now. We are confiscating their ill-gotten gain. In India, where people are fighting poverty, we need to fight against corruption with all our might."
'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign
Modi said the nation's enthusiasm for 'Tiranga' seen in the last three days could not have been imagined by many experts and that it symbolises the nation's reawakening. Har Ghar Tiranga is an example of an entire nation coming together to celebrate the spirit of our glorious country.
While India was celebrating 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav', the historical monument in Delhi was covered with multi-layered security with more than 10,000 security personnel deployed at the venue. Around 7,000 invitees arrived at the Red Fort and a 5-km area around the monument was marked as a "no kite flying zone'' till the national flag was hoisted.
PM Modi said, "We must turn India into a developed country in the next 25 years, in our lifetime." "It's a big resolution, and we should work towards it with all our might," he said. Despite the rapid rise in economic clout for the country, there's still a long road ahead if Modi's goal is to be realized. India's per capita income has more than quadrupled since 2000, when it was below $500 per person per annum. He told the crowd at the Red Fort that India had seen ups and downs over the past 75 years, battling against all odds with resilience and perseverance. He asked people to remove any trace of a colonial mindset. PM Modi did not mention tensions with China or Pakistan in his speech, nor any steps to improve relations.
