New Delhi, August 16 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech on Friday gave out several mantras to rev up the economy, bring prosperity and end communal violence.
These were:
1. Two yojnas: Speaking from the Red Fort, Modi unveiled two new ambitious schemes: The first is Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojna where he appealed to MPs to adopt villages and target making them model villages by 2016. He asked MPs to use a year of MPLAD funds for village development.
The second scheme is PM Jandhan Yojna which will link the poor with bank accounts and debit cards. It will also provide every poor person an insurance of Rs.1 lakh.
2. End of Planning Commission: Modi announced that a new institution would be created to replace the Planning Commission. “This new institution would respect the federal structure of the country,” he said.
3. Anti-girl mentality must end: Modi rooted for woman empowerment. In his speech, the PM said daughters are asked a lot of questions in a family and he called upon parents to question their sons too and keep tab on their activities. “Every rapist is someone’s son,” he said.
Modi also called upon misguided youth who had taken to terrorism or Maoism to give up violence and return to the mainstream. On the issue of female foeticide, Modi said doctors shouldn’t kill the girl child for profit. He also requested parents not to kill their unborn daughters.
“Girls are not a financial burden. They are the most reliable support for old age. Nineteen woman athletes were among the medal winners at 2014 CWG. Girls contribute immensely to progress. The anti-girl mentality must end,” he said.
4. No more ‘mera kya, mujhe kya’: Modi in his speech called upon society to give up its selfish attitude and find out what one can do for the nation.
5. Swachh Bharat: Modi stressed on the need for cleanliness and announced his government’s resolve for Swachh Bharat campaign to be lunched on October 2 and to be accomplished by 2019, on the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
In a related initiative, PM said the first step towards clean India begins with immediate effect, through a commitment to build toilets in all schools, including separate toilets for girls, within one year.
6. Toilets for all: Modi in his speech lamented the fact that women in villages had to wait till dark to relieve themselves. “It’s a matter of shame in Independent India. Our aim to build toilets for all,” he said. He said the government resolved to build toilets in all schools, including separate toilets for girls, within one year.
7. Zero defect, zero effect: Modi said India can become a nation that can become a big exporter if it does not compromise on two things: zero defect and zero effect. “No defects in manufacturing items and zero effect on our environment,” he said.
8. Make in India: Modi invited foreign industrialists to set up manufacturing units in India. “I want to tell everyone in the world: come make in India, sell any product anywhere in the world but manufacture in India.
We have the skill and the talent. We want to give the world an offer – from chemicals to pharmaceutical, automobiles, satellites, submarines – come, make in India,” he said.
9. Digital India: He said just as railways connected everyone, it was time for mobiles to connect government to the poor. “First rail connected everyone. Now it will be mobile governance for the poor. It is easy and economical government. E-governance is the way to good governance. Digital India can compete with the world,” he said.
10. Moratorium on communal clashes: Modi called for a 10-year moratorium on communal and caste violence. “So many lives have been lost. What has been gained thinking on caste and class lines? They are against progress. Give peace a chance,” he said.
-INDIA TODAY
