In his eighth Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi added a new phrase to his existing governance mantra of Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas. Sabka Prayas (everyone's effort) is the new addition that Modi made as he insisted on participatory governance.
As the country celebrates 75th year of independence, Modi in his 88-minute-long speech laid out a roadmap, which the country expects to achieve before it turns 100. Continuing with his earlier message of Atmanirbhar Bharat, announced last year, Modi again asserted that the country will turn into a self-reliant nation in the next 25 years.
Modi uses the Independence Day speeches to announce new initiatives and provide intent of his government for the coming years. This year also, he made a few key policy statements, which are likely to set in motion changes whose impact will be visible subsequently. Modi said the poor who are given free rice and children provided midday meals will now be given fortified rice to meet their nutritional needs. Malnutrition has been a health challenge that the policy makers have found hard to address. If launched successfully by 2024, as Modi said, it will help women and children in their growth needs.
On the social front, Modi batted for changing the fortunes of small farmers. His message to the farmers comes as an agitation has been on for the past 10 months against the three farm laws. In a key change, Modi announced that the Sainik Schools will be opened for admission to the girls.
On the infrastructure front, Modi said the country will become self-reliant in energy before completing 100 years of independence. Modi said the country will become a hub of hydrogen production as he announced the launch of the National Hydrogen Mission. The government had earlier announced the National Hydrogen Mission in the Union Budget 2021 for making a hydrogen roadmap for the country. Hydrogen is blended with compressed natural gas for use as transportation fuel as well as an industrial input to refineries.
India spends Rs 12 lakh crore in energy import bills every year. “The roadmap for that is to increase usage of natural gas in the economy, setting up a network of CNG and piped natural gas network across the country, blending 20 per cent ethanol in petrol and electric mobility,” he said. “The country has achieved the target of 100 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity ahead of the target,” Modi said.
“We have to work together for the next-generation infrastructure, world-class manufacturing, cutting-edge innovations and new-age technology,” Modi said in a message to India Inc. “Political will is required to bring in big changes, big reforms. Today, the world can see that there is no dearth of political will in India. Good and smart governance is needed to bring reforms. The world is a witness to how India is writing a new chapter of governance.”
For holistic infrastructure and an integrated pathway to the economy, the PM Gati Shakti Plan, a 100 lakh crore national infrastructure master plan, will be launched to boost local manufacturing and create jobs. The plan intends to make local manufacturers globally competitive, create future economic zones and create employment opportunities for youth. Modi had a message for the local manufacturers too that they should focus on quality as their products were Indian brand ambassadors.
As the country celebrates its 75th year of Independence, Modi announced that 75 Vande Bharat trains will connect every corner of India in 75 weeks.
August 15 day speeches come with invoking nationalistic pride, and also expressing the strategic intent of the country. Modi said that 'new India' has given a message to its enemies by conducting surgical strikes and air strikes. “It also conveys that India can take tough decisions," Modi said. This direct reference to Pakistan can also be read in light of new challenges that are likely to crop up for India on the strategic front as ISI-supported Taliban moves forward to take control of Afghanistan.
In a move that is likely to keep anti-Pakistan sentiment alive, Modi had announced a day earlier his government's decision to observe Partition Horrors Remembrance Day every year on August 14. During his Independence Day speech, Modi reiterated the decision. The move aimed at keeping the sordid chapter in the country's history comes warped with propelling the feelings of nationalism. But it comes with political overtures as it is likely to be used to target the Congress leadership, especially first prime minister Jawahar Lal Nehru, for agreeing to division of the country on religious lines.
Kashmir has been a recurrent theme in speeches of prime ministers. This year, Modi referred to changes happening on the ground. “Delimitation Commission has been constituted in Jammu and Kashmir and preparations are on for Assembly elections in the future,” Modi said, asserting that the Union territory will have to undertake delimitation exercise before elections could be held. Following the five-year cycle, the elections are due next year, as the last ones were held in 2017.
Modi also told the people about the affirmative action taken by his government for the OBCs as reservation has been provided under all-India quota in medical education. “States have been granted right to make their own OBC lists,” he reminded. Modi's OBC outreach is set to become a hallmark of his seventh year in power.