Modi sees Amrit Kaal in 25 years
Moots ambitious growth plan till 2047
In his eighth consecutive Independence Day address to the nation from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday proposed an ambitious development plan for the country for the next 25 years till India’s centenary of Independence in 2047, terming it as ‘Amrit Kaal’ (a period for emancipation), and announced a slew of development programmes, including a landmark `100 lakh crore ‘Gati Shakti’ initiative to boost infrastructure and employment opportunities
Modi began his speech
by praising India’s athletes who took part in the Tokyo Olympics and were in attendance at Red Fort, freedom fighters and all those who helped the country in its fight against coronavirus after he hoisted and unfurled the national flag.
“This is a day to remember our great freedom fighters… The athletes who have made us proud at the Tokyo Olympics are here amongst us today. I urge the nation to applaud their achievement today. They have not only won our hearts but also inspired future generations,” Modi said.
During his nearly 90minute speech, Mr Modi outlined the roadmap for a new and assertive India and added weight to his oft-quoted slogan “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas”, by adding a new call -“Sabka Prayas” (everyone's effort), saying this would be very important for the achievement of all the country’s goals.
Taking a swipe at China and Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that India is fighting twin challenges of terrorism and expansionism with courage.
The Prime Minister said that India has also given the message of the might of new India to the enemies of the country by carrying out surgical and air strikes. “It shows that India is changing. India can change. India can take the toughest decisions and it does not hesitate and stop in taking even the toughest decisions,” Modi said from the ramparts of Red Fort in his Independence day address.
He said that there is a possibility of a new world order post-Corona. “Today the world is looking at India from a new perspective. There are two important aspects of this perception — one is terrorism and the other is expansionism. India is fighting both these challenges and is also responding strongly,” he said.
The Prime Minister’s comment comes when India and China have been involved in a year long military stand-off in Eastern Ladakh and have disengaged forces from three friction points. However, still both India and China have maintained
a large number of troops in Ladakh just few kilometres away from LAC along with artillery, armoured vehicles and tanks. India also continues to deal with Pakistan-backed
cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
He said that country’s defense preparedness has to be equally strong if India has to fulfil its obligations properly.
“We are making constant efforts to provide new opportunities to our hardworking entrepreneurs and to encourage Indian companies to make the country self-reliant in the field of defence. I assure the country that we will leave no stone unturned to strengthen the hands of our forces engaged in the defense of the country,” Modi said.