Modi makes pledge on India’s 75th birthday
Prime minister says millions in nation will be lifted from poverty.
NEW DELHI — Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged Monday to raise millions of people out of poverty and turn India into a developed country in the next quarter- century as he marked 75 years since independence from British rule.
Wearing a cream- colored turban bearing small stripes of orange, white and green, the colors of the national f lag, Modi addressed the country from New Delhi’s 17th century Mughal- era Red Fort, saying the world was looking toward India to help resolve global issues.
Modi said the journey of the last 75 years had seen ups and downs, with India battling against all odds with resilience and perseverance. He asked people to remove any trace of a colonial mind- set.
The prime minister said India would be guided by the ideals of self- reliance and the spirit of international partnership to attain excellence in science and technology, establish industries, and achieve food and energy security. He said billions of dollars in investment were f lowing into the country,
turning it into a manufacturing hub.
India’s efforts have already propelled the country of 1.4 billion people into the ranks of leading nations in information technology, pharmaceuticals, space science and civil nuclear energy.
Modi said millions of people across the country were commemorating the 75th anniversary of independence by raising national f lags at their homes and businesses for three days as part of a government campaign “of awakening the spirit of patriotism in every
heart.” India’s Parliament, the presidential palace, national monuments and other government offices blazed with multicolored lighting.
The main opposition Congress Party accused the government of leaving opposition groups out of the celebrations.
“There were special functions in Parliament’s historic Central Hall to mark the 25th, 50th and 60th anniversary of India’s independence,” said Jairam Ramesh, a spokesperson with the opposition party, formally known as the Indian Na
tional Congress. “Sadly, nothing like that has been organized for the 75th anniversary, which has been reduced to an occasion to glorify the Sarvagyaani,” a term meaning “know- it- all,” in reference to Modi.
President Biden, in a statement celebrating the anniversary, said the two countries were indispensable partners grounded in a shared commitment to the rule of law and the promotion of human freedom and dignity.
Biden said he was confident that “the two countries will continue to stand together to defend the rulesbased order; foster greater peace, prosperity and security for our people; advance a free and open Indo- Pacific; and together address the challenges we face around the world.”
India and the U. S. have been expanding their security partnership, underscoring their mutual concerns over China’s growing inf luence in the region. They are both part of the regional Quad alliance that includes Japan and Australia and focuses on China’s growing economic and military strength. China has called the Quad an attempt to contain its ambitions.
In his 80- minute speech, Modi made no reference to India’s tense ties with neighbors Pakistan and China, or any steps to improve relations.
He called for national unity but didn’t respond to critics who say that India has gradually retreated from some of its commitments and that the backsliding has accelerated since he took office in 2014. They accuse his populist government of using unbridled political power to undermine democratic freedoms and pursuing a Hindu nationalist agenda that foments hatred of and discrimination against India’s 200 million Muslims.
Modi pledged to fight political corruption and nepotism.