Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation during the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort in Delhi in 2020 | File Photo: REUTERS
In his first Independence Day speech after returning to power for a third term, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to emphasize India’s “democratic dividend” and present a report on progress made during his decade in office.
“Given the turbulence in our neighbourhood, the Prime Minister is likely to emphasise the democratic dividend as the reason behind India’s continued prosperity. Viksit Bharat and the goal of making India a developed country by 2047 will remain a key theme in his address to the nation,” said a senior government official, requesting anonymity.
In his Independence Day speech last year, ahead of the general elections, Modi had said that the next five years would be years of unprecedented development. “The next five years are the golden moments to realise the dream of 2047. And next time, on August 15, from this very Red Fort, I will present to you the achievements of the country, its capabilities, the progress made by you, the successes achieved with even greater self-confidence,” he added.
The progress achieved through the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) can also be mentioned in the Independence Day speech. The Mission, which Modi launched in August 2019, has so far achieved around 78 per cent coverage of functional piped water connection in over 15 million rural households. There are 15 states and union territories (UTs) that have crossed the 90 per cent mark, of which 11 are at 100 per cent.
The E-shram portal, which currently has nearly 300 million unorganised sector workers and is being integrated with other government databases across ministries to onboard 200 million more workers as a one-stop solution for providing comprehensive social security coverage, is expected to feature in the Prime Minister’s speech.
Moreover, the Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) that were set up seven decades ago soon after Independence as a means of providing employment and training to the country’s youth may also make their mark on the Red Fort discourse. In the recently presented Budget for FY2025, the government announced a new plan to modernise 1,000 ITIs in the next five years with the help of states and industry.
On agriculture, the Prime Minister could emphasise self-sufficiency in oilseeds and pulses production to reduce imports. Together, both commodities account for over Rs 200,000 crore of imports every year, with edible oils topping the list. Apart from that, ways to reduce input costs and save the ecological balance through balanced use of fertilisers and natural farming are other issues Modi could focus on. Climate-resilient seeds and the danger posed to agriculture by climate change could also be mentioned in the speech.
First published: August 13, 2024 | 11:10 PM IS
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this post is for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the post for any purpose.
We respect the intellectual property rights of content creators. If you are the owner of any material featured on our website and have concerns about its use, please contact us. We are committed to addressing any copyright issues promptly and will remove any material within 2 days of receiving a request from the rightful owner.