August 15, 2020: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech, spoke about many things from Atmanirbhar Bharat to Ram Temple.
Atmanirbhar India: Today, we focus on taking India to new heights, to build a new India - an atma-nirbhar (self-reliant) India. India will most certainly achieve this. History is evidence to the fact that when India is determined to achieve something, it has always done so." As we move towards our 75th year of Independence, the entire nation must take a pledge to make 'vocal for local' the mantra of the nation. Over the last year, with an 18% rise, FDI (foreign direct investments) have broken all past records. It is commendable that even as the world battles COVID-19, investments are pouring into India. It tells us that the world sees our potential and has hope from a rising India. Our foremost priority is to bring the nation out of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is restricting us from operating freely.
Infrastructure development: For India to grow at a very fast pace, we have focused on comprehensive, multi-modal infrastructure development. No longer are we segregating rail, from road, ports from airports. We have clubbed them to have a holistic approach to infrastructure development. About 7,000 projects of different sectors have been identified to bring new revolution in infrastructure.
New education policy/Digital India/Women empowerment: We have recently introduced a new education policy. This will shape the India of the 21st century. We will soon have citizens who shape a new India - ones who are global citizens, but know and understand their roots. The new education policy has also focused on research and development to make India a key R&D destination for the world. Today, we are adapting to technology at a faster pace than ever before. The nation has accepted new methods of transactions - digital transactions have already crossed ₹ 3 lakh crore. In the next 1,000 days, villages across the country will have optical fibre connections available. Today, women walk shoulder-to-shoulder with men. Today we have women officers and soldiers in the armed forces. Be it doctors, engineers, bankers, IT professionals, women are contributing to India's growth in a big way.
J&K/Ladakh: I want to thank all the sarpanches across Jammu and Kashmir, who are putting in a great effort to ensure development reaches everyone in the union territory and it progresses along with the rest of the country. Ladakh too is seeing a lot of work done. Ladakh is leading the way and is focusing on becoming carbon-neutral. Just as Sikkim has made its mark as an organic state, efforts are being made to make Ladakh a carbon neutral region. We are working actively with residents of Ladakh in taking new and innovative ways of development. What India can do, world has seen it in Ladakh. Respect for India's sovereignty is supreme for us. Be it terrorism or expansionism, India is standing up to both and defeating it. From LoC to LAC, whenever India has been challenged, our soldiers have given a fitting response in a language they understand. Today the world stands with India, and to get 184 votes out of 192 nations in the UN for a (non-permanent) seat at the UN Security Council is a testament of it.
Climate change: Climate Change is of great concern to us, and we are focusing on clean energy and solar power to take us forward and ensure that our per capita carbon foot is reduced. We are working on mission mode to ensure that pollution levels across India drop significantly. Today, how India can defend itself is something the entire world has seen us do in Ladakh.
Neighbouring Countries: For India, neighbours are not only ones we share a border with, but all those who have a bonding of the heart with us. Today, India has close relations in the greater neighbourhood. We are working together and have a lot of mutual respect for each other. ASEAN nations not just have have a great partnership with us today, but have shared values and cultures for centuries.
Defence Production: Today to become Atmanirbhar in defence production is a top priority. Now, from pistols and guns to tanks and fighter jets like the Tejas, from artillery guns to missiles, everything will be made in India. Fibre optic cable to connect Andaman and Nicobar Islands: India is not just the mainland and the northeast, but also thousands of islands. Recently, we launched a submarine fibre optic cable to connect Andaman and Nicobar Islands with the rest of India digitally. This will bring high-speed internet and other benefits to residents in those islands. In next 1,000 days, Lakshadweep will also be connected with high-speed internet.