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PM's address from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of
Independence Day 2013
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Prime
Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, addressed the Nation from the ramparts of the
Red Fort today on the occasion of Independence Day. Following is the English
rendering of the Prime Minister’s address:
“My dear fellow-citizens,
Brothers, sisters and dear children,
I greet
you all on this Independence Day.
Today is
certainly a day of joy for us. But on this celebration of independence we
also feel pain in our hearts that our brothers and sisters in Uttarakhand had
to face devastation about two months back. Our deepest sympathies are with
all the families that suffered loss of life or property. I want to assure the
people of Uttarakhand today that the whole country stands with them in this
moment of crisis. Our government is working with all the resources at its
command to rehabilitate those whose houses have been destroyed and rebuild
damaged infrastructure.
Our army,
paramilitary forces and numerous officers and staff of the Central and State
governments worked in difficult conditions in partnership with the common
people to perform an outstanding task in providing relief to those who were
stranded. We especially pay homage to the officers and men of the Air Force,
ITBP and NDRF who sacrificed their lives to save others.
We are
also deeply pained that we lost the submarine, INS Sindurakshak in an
accident yesterday. Eighteen brave
sailors are feared to have lost their lives.
The accident is all the more painful because the Navy had recently
achieved two major successes in the form of its first nuclear submarine, INS
Arihant and the aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant.
We pay
homage to the brave hearts we have lost.
We also congratulate the Navy on its successes.
Brothers and Sisters,
We
achieved independence in 1947 under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. If we look at our subsequent journey, we
would find that our country has seen major changes every ten years.
In the
decade beginning 1950, India took its first steps as a democratic republic
under the leadership of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru. We established institutions
like the Atomic Energy Commission, Planning Commission and Election
Commission, which went on to make a major contribution to the processes of
nation building in later years. The first general elections were conducted
and a beginning was made towards the formulation of the First Five Year Plan
for socio-economic development of the country.
In the
Sixties, Pandit Nehru set up new industries and factories, implemented new
irrigation projects and opened new universities. By laying emphasis on the
role of Science and Technology in nation building he started the work of
transforming this ancient country into a modern nation.
In the
Seventies, Indiraji boosted our confidence as a nation. During this period,
we launched our first satellite in space. The Green Revolution enabled us to
be self sufficient in food grains for the first time.
In the
next decade, Rajiv Gandhi ji set into motion the process of technological and
economic modernization. The foundation for the progress we later made in the
area of Information Technology was laid during this period. The importance of
Panchayati Raj Institutions was emphasized and this later resulted in
amendments to our Constitutions for strengthening and empowering these
institutions.
In the
year 1991, under the leadership of Shri Narsimha Rao, we successfully
negotiated a major economic crisis and embraced reforms for strengthening our
economy. These reforms were opposed by many political parties at that time.
But the reforms were in national interest and were therefore continued by all
governments that came to power subsequently. Since then, the reform process
has continually moved forward.
I believe
that the last decade has also been a decade of major changes in the history
of our nation. In no other decade has our economic development increased as
much as in this decade. Democratic forces have been strengthened and many
sections of our society have joined the mainstream of development for the
first time. The common man has been given new rights which have led to his
social and economic empowerment.
Brothers and Sisters,
The first
UPA government came to power in May 2004. Ever since, we have worked with
sincerity and honesty to build a progressive and modern India.
We have
envisioned a prosperous India. An India which has got rid of centuries old
burden of poverty, hunger and disease. Where the light of education has
driven away the darkness of ignorance and superstition.
Where
there is social equality and all citizens enjoy equal economic opportunity.
Where no section of the society faces injustice and exploitation.
We have
dreamt of an India where the youth get employment opportunities that enable
them to contribute to the noble endeavour of nation building.
We have
strived for India’s voice to be heard loud and clear at the international
level. We have strived to build a nation that is looked at with respect and
honour by the whole world.
We have
taken many measures to realise these dreams.
But the journey is long and a large distance still remains to be
travelled.
Brothers and Sisters,
We have
recently issued an Ordinance towards a
Food Security law. The Food Security
Bill is now before Parliament and we hope it will be passed shortly. This law will benefit 75 percent of our
rural population and half of our urban population. Under the law, about 81
crore Indians would be entitled to receive rice at 3 Rupees per kg, wheat at
2 Rupees per kg and coarse grains at 1 Rupee per kg. This is the largest
effort of its kind in the whole world.
We have
been able to implement this law only because of the hard work of our farmers.
Our food-grain production reached a record level of 25.9 crore ton in
2011-12.
Without
rapid agricultural growth, we cannot achieve our goal of making our villages
prosperous. We have constantly endeavoured to increase production and to
ensure that farmers get remunerative prices for their produce. In the last 9
years, support prices for various crops have been enhanced as never before.
The support prices for wheat and paddy have been more than doubled. Many
States which faced shortages of food-grains earlier are now producing more
than what they require for themselves.
The
average annual rate of agricultural growth in the 11th Plan was
3.6, which is more than both the 9th and 10th Plan
levels.
We now
see clear indications of enhanced economic prosperity in our rural areas. In
the period 2004 to 2011, rural per-capita consumption has increased four
times faster than earlier.
Rural
wages have also increased much faster in this period. MNREGA provides
employment to crores of people in rural areas.
Measuring
poverty is a difficult task. There are diverse views about what constitutes
poverty. But whatever definition we may adopt, it cannot be denied that the
pace of reduction in poverty has increased after 2004.
Many
States which had been considered backward for a long time, with some of them
being called Bimaru, are now progressing rapidly.
We have
enacted the Right to Education Act to provide every child in the country the
opportunity for education. Almost all our children are today being imparted
education in Primary schools.
The
number of young men and women going to college has more than doubled in the
last 9 years.
We have
implemented new schemes for scholarships on a large scale to enable poor
children and those belonging to the weaker sections to access opportunities
for education. Today, the Central government provides scholarships to more
than 2 crore children.
Many new
institutions have been opened in the area of Higher education. For example, 8
new IITs, 7 New IIMs, 16 new Central universities and 10 new NITs. New institutions have also been opened to
boost scientific research. Steps have been taken to attract students to the
study of science and encourage Indian scientists working abroad to return to
India.
However,
much still remains to be done for reforming our education system. Many of our schools still lack drinking
water facilities, toilets and other necessary infrastructure. There is a need
to improve the quality of education. To achieve this, it is necessary to lay
more emphasis on training of teachers.
About 11
crore children are being provided afternoon meals every day in schools under
the Mid-day Meal Scheme. This programme is of immense benefit for both
education and nutrition of children. However, it is necessary to improve its
implementation. The tragedy that happened in Bihar some days back should not
be repeated anywhere in the country.
We had
launched the National Rural Health Mission in 2005. The Mission has started
showing good results. Both Maternal Maternity and Infant Mortality rates have
come down sharply. A much larger proportion of children is now born in
hospitals. There has also been a large increase in the proportion of children
being inoculated.
No case
of polio has been detected in the country in the last two years. We have been
able to eradicate a disease which used to cause disability to lakhs of
people.
The
Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana, which provides free in-patient treatment in
hospitals to our poor brothers and sisters, now covers about 3.5 crore
families.
We have
implemented the Health Mission in urban areas also. This will result in both
expansion and improvement of health services in such areas.
For
ensuring better safety and security for women, we have strengthened the law
dealing with offences against women.
There has
been good progress in the last 9 years in the infrastructure sector also,
covering areas such as Roads, Railways, Power, Civil Aviation, Ports and
Telecommunications. About 2 lakh km of new roads have been constructed for
connecting villages under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana. More than 37,000 km of new Highways have
been built, facilitating travel and trade. More than 40 airports have been
built or upgraded. In 2004, only 7
percent of the people had telephone connections. Today, 73 percent enjoy this
facility. In rural areas, this figure has gone up from 2 to 40. There has
been a record addition to our capacity for electricity generation.
Brothers and Sisters,
In the
recent months, there has been much discussion on the fact that last year our
growth rate came down to 5 percent. This is indeed true and we are trying our
best to remedy the situation. However, it is not only our country that is
facing economic difficulties. The last year has been difficult for the world
economy as a whole. Major European nations are experiencing a slowdown these
days. All over the world, there has been a slump in export markets. All
developing countries have slowed down.
I believe
that this phase of slow growth in India will not last long. In the last 9
years, our economy has grown at an annual average rate of 7.9 percent. This
pace of development is the highest in any decade so far.
Brothers and Sisters,
Countries
today are more integrated with each other than ever before. We have
endeavoured that our foreign policy exploits this fully to India’s benefit.
In the last 9 years, there has been a continuous improvement in our relations
with the major powers of the world. Our Look East policy in respect of 10
ASEAN countries in East and South-East Asia has borne good results,
especially in economic matters. We have also strived for friendship with our
neighbouring countries. However, for relations with Pakistan to improve, it
is essential that they prevent the use of their territory and territory under
their control for any anti-India activity.
There has
been improvement in the area of national security also. Despite some
worrisome communal incidents in 2012 and this year, the last 9 years have
been good for communal harmony. There has been a reduction in terrorist and
Naxal violence also. However, the area of national security calls for
constant vigil. We have not been successful in preventing Naxal attacks that
happen from time to time. The Naxal violence in Chhatisgarh on 25 May was a
frontal attack on our democracy. Recently, there was a dastardly attack on
our Jawans on the Line of Control with Pakistan. We will take all possible
steps to prevent such incidents in the future.
Brothers and Sisters,
We have
taken many important measures to make the work of the government responsive,
transparent and honest. I would like to mention only two of them here.
Through
the RTI Act, the common man now gets more information than ever before about
the work of the government. This legislation is being used on a large scale
at all levels. The Act frequently brings to light irregularities and
corruption and opens the door for improvements. I am sure that the RTI will
lead to further improvements in the way the government functions.
We have
introduced the Lokpal Bill in Parliament. The Lok Sabha has passed the Bill
and it is now before the Rajya Sabha. This legislation will be a major step
towards making our political system clean.
Brothers and Sisters,
We have
journeyed a large distance in the last decade. But much remains to be done.
The process of change that we have initiated will be continued in the coming
time.
As I have
stated earlier also, rapid economic growth is an imperative for our country.
Without it, we cannot possibly achieve targets such as removal of poverty, provision
of good quality education and health services and creation of new employment
opportunities. The average rate of economic growth that we have attained in
the last 9 years shows what we are capable of. However, economic growth has
slowed down at present and we are working hard to remedy the situation.
We have
recently taken many steps to speed up the process of government clearances
for industry, build an environment more conducive to trade and industry and
increase investment in the economy. A special Cell has been set up to help
big projects with clearances. The Cabinet Committee on Investment is working
to remove hindrances in the way of stalled projects.
Inadequate
supply of coal had become a major problem affecting our efforts for
increasing electricity generation. This has been resolved to a large extent.
We will
start work on a number of new infrastructure projects in the coming months.
This includes 2 new ports, 8 new airports, new industrial corridors and Rail
projects.
To boost
Foreign Direct Investment, we have recently enhanced the limit of such
investment in many sectors and made its easier procedurally.
In the
coming months, we will see visible results of these efforts to increase
investment. Our growth will accelerate, new employment opportunities will be
generated and there will be improvements in the infrastructure sector.
Brothers and Sisters,
After the
enactment of the Food Security legislation, its implementation will be one of
our priorities. We have already started working in this direction in
partnership with States. Computerization of the Public Distribution System
will be speeded up.
The
Mid-day Meal scheme will be reformed. The meals being provided to our
children should not only be nutritious but also be cooked hygienically. We
will take concrete measures to ensure this.
In the
area of Skill Development, we could not initially achieve as much progress as
we wanted. But now the pace has picked up. We have established the National
Skill Development Authority a few months back. We will shortly launch a new
scheme under which those who have successfully acquired new skills will be
given a grant of about Rupees 10,000.
This scheme will benefit about 10 lakh young men and women in the next
12 months.
The Multi
Sectoral Development Programme for minorities has been reformed recently. We will
now implement it effectively.
A scheme
for offering Minimum Support Prices for minor forest produce has been
approved some days back. This will enable our tribal brothers and sisters to
get remunerative prices for the minor forest produce they collect. We will
implement the scheme expeditiously.
A High
Level Committee has been constituted to collect accurate information about
the socio-economic, educational and health status of our tribal population.
The report of the Committee will help us in designing better schemes for
their benefit.
We can
solve many of the problems that our country faces by deploying advanced
technology. The Aadhaar scheme is a good example. Under the scheme, by the
end of this year, about 50 crore people will acquire the means of proving
their identity and this will bring them convenience in their daily lives. It
will also enable crores of people to avail of banking facilities for the
first time.
Brothers and Sisters,
There can
be no place for narrow and sectarian ideologies in a modern, progressive and
secular country. Such ideologies divide out society and weaken our democracy.
We should prevent them from growing. We need to strengthen those traditions
of our country which teach us to promote tolerance and respect for thought processes
different from ours. I would appeal to all political parties, all sections of
our society and the public at large to work in this direction.
Brothers and Sisters,
I had
stated a few minutes back that every decade after independence has witnessed
major changes in our country. We need to think today what changes we would
like to see in the decade ahead.
If in the
future we can achieve the same kind of progress as in the last decade, the
day is not far off when India will be rid of poverty, hunger, disease and
ignorance. Our India will be prosperous and all its citizens will be equal
partners in this prosperity, irrespective of their religion, caste, region or
language.
We will
also need to build an environment of political stability, social cohesion and
security for this to happen.
Let us
all re-dedicate ourselves to building such an India together.
Dear
children, please repeat with me thrice: Jai Hind, Jai Hind, Jai Hind.”
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SC/NK/SH/SKS
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