PM Modi addresses global and local issues in Indian Independence Day speech 

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Highlights (Extracts from PMO, other news sources. Edited for style)

Addressing the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort on the 77th Independence Day of India, August 15, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attributed the rise of India from 10th to 5th largest economy in the world to the efforts of 1.4 million people of India. He said this has happened because this Government stopped leakages, created a strong economy, and spent maximum money for the welfare of the poor.

STRONGER ECONOMY

“Today I want to tell the people that when the country becomes economically prosperous, it does not fill the treasury; it increases capacity of the nation and its peoples. Results will automatically come if the Government pledges to spend every penny towards the welfare of its citizens. Ten years ago, the Government of India used to send Rs. 30 lakh crore to the States. In the last 9 years, this figure has reached Rs. 100 lakh crore. Seeing these numbers, you will feel that such big transformation has happened with big increase in capacity!”

On the front of self-employment, Modi said, “More Rs. 20 lakh crore have been given to the youth for self-employment for their occupation. 8 crore people have started new business and not only that, every businessman has given employment to one or two people. Therefore, 8 crore citizens benefiting from the (Pradhan Mantri) Mudra Yojana have the ability to provide employment to 8-10 crore new people.”

Referring to COVID-19 Pandemic, he said, “MSMEs were not allowed to go bankrupt with the help of loans worth Rs. 3.5 lakh crore in the crisis of Corona virus. They were not allowed to die, they were given strength.”

RISING MIDDLE CLASS

On the new and aspiring middle class, Modi said, “When poverty reduces in the country, the power of the middle class increases a lot. And I assure you with guarantee that in the coming five years the country will take its place in the first three world economies. Today the 13.5 crore people have come out of poverty to become the strength of the middle class. When the purchasing power of the poor increases, the business power of the middle-class increases. When the purchasing power of the village increases, the economic system of the town and city runs at a faster pace. This interconnected is our economic cycle. We want to move ahead by giving it strength.”

GLOBAL CRISIS, SOLUTIONS

Referring to the recent problems faced by the world collectively, the Prime Minister said, “The world has not yet emerged from COVID-19 Pandemic, and the war created a new problem. Today, the world is facing the crisis of inflation.”

Talking about fighting inflation, the Prime Minister said, “India has tried its best to control inflation. We cannot think that our things are better than the world, I have to take more steps in this direction to minimize the burden of inflation on my countrymen. My efforts will continue to tame inflation.”

On global issues, Modi said India has put forth the concept of “One World, One Family, One Future” for the G20 summit and is working in that direction. As the world grapples with climate crises, India has shown the way and launched the LifeStyle for Environment – Mission LiFE initiative.

The Prime Minister said we formed the International Solar Alliance in collaboration with the world and many countries are now part of the International Solar Alliance. We have emphasized the importance of biodiversity and advanced the establishment of the “Big Cat Alliance.”

WOMEN-LED DEVELOPMENT

Modi underlined the importance of women-led development and how it is essential to take the country forward. The PM recalled that India can proudly say today that it has the maximum number of woman pilots in the civil aviation sector. Women scientists are also leading the Chandrayaan Mission, added the PM.

The Prime Minister said that he has taken forward the issue of Women-Led Development at G20 and that the G20 countries have accepted it and are recognizing its importance.

Talking of ‘Nari Samman’, the Prime Minister shared an experience from one of his foreign visits, where a senior minister of that nation asked him whether the women in India study science and engineering. Prime Minister said that he replied that today in our country, girls outnumber boys in the pursuit of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) and that the world today is looking at this capacity of ours.

NATIONAL SECURITY

“India has gained a new strategic strength in recent years and today our borders are more secure than ever,” said Modi. He reiterated the Government’s unwavering resolve to ensure national security amid the current global security scenario, asserting that a number of military reforms are being undertaken to modernize the Armed Forces and make them young & battle ready to deal with all future challenges.

The Prime Minister also emphasized that the people of the country feel safe today as there has been a drastic decline in the number of terrorist attacks. When the country is peaceful and secure, new goals of development are achieved, he said.

DOMESTIC ISSUES

Prime Minister Modi said that Cooperatives are a significant part of the country’s social economy, and that a separate Ministry of Cooperation has been created to strengthen cooperatives, modernize them and strengthen the biggest unit of democracy in every nook and corner of the country

The Ministry of Cooperation is spreading a network of cooperatives in the country, ensuring that the voices of even the poorest individuals are heard, their needs are met, and they can contribute to the nation’s development. He stressed that India has chosen the path of “Sahkar se Samriddhi.”

Modi noted that the Vishwakarma Yojana will be launched on Vishwakarma Jayanti in the coming month. He said that this scheme is for the people with traditional skills i.e. those people who work with tools and their hands i.e. mostly from the OBC community, such as carpenters, goldsmiths, stone masons, people who do laundry, brothers and sisters who cut hair, the family will work to give new strength to such people. This scheme will be started with a budget of about 13-15 thousand crore rupees.

In his speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi said that we are working to build an accessible India for Divyangjan. He said that we are making Divyangjan capable of hoisting the tricolor flag of India in the Paralympics as well. For which special training is being given to the players.

INDIA’S ADVANTAGES

In his speech, Prime Minister Modi said that today India has demography, democracy and diversity. He said that this trinity of demography, democracy and diversity has the potential to make every dream of India come true.

ON POLITICS

In his speech, PM Modi also noted the three biggest challenges facing the country over the next quarter century as it moves forward to its 100^th anniversary. They are – corruption, dynastic politics, and appeasement.