76th I-Day: Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyaan, Jai Anusandhan, says PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unfurled the national flag on the 76th Independence Day from the ramparts of Red Fort in New Delhi. PM Modi greeted the nation and Indians living outside India on the 75th anniversary of independence. The prime minister gave Indians a 5-point goal to achieve by 2047. He called it Praan Shakti. PM Modi said that Indian needs to achieve a) Nothing less than a developed India; b) Get over the colonial mindset; c) take pride in the rich legacy of this nation; d) Unity; e) Duties of the citizens. “We have to make India a developed nation in this Amrit Kaal that we are entering right now. The young Indians who are 22-25 years old right now, will be around 50 in 2047. It is your golden phase of life and you have the responsibility to make India a developed nation by then,” said PM. Modi said the world looked at India with pride and hope, and as a problem-solver. “The world looks at India as a destination where aspirations are met,” he said. PM Modi said that Lal Bahadur Shastri gave India the slogan of Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan. Later former PM Atal Bihar Vajpayee added Jia Vigyaan to it and ushered in the era of scientific advancement. Now, I would like to add Jai Anusandhaan to it. India needs to excel in research and innovation to achieve success. “The people of our country made many efforts, did not give up and did not let their resolves fade away.” PM Modi said from the Red Fort. “Our nation has proved that we have an inherent strength from our diversity and the common thread of patriotism makes India unshakeable,” Modi said. “An aspirational society is important for any nation. Today, we are proud that these aspirations are present in every household in India. Every citizen is enthusiastic, impatient for the fast progress of New India,” he said. “My understanding of the spirit of India, made me realise that for the growth of New India we needed to ensure inclusive development across the nation, a vision that was held dear by Mahatma Gandhi,” the prime minister said. Modi said in the last few days, “we have seen an increase in the common consciousness of the love for the nation”. The ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign has been an example of the entire nation coming together to celebrate the spirit of this glorious country, he said. “This Amrit Kaal is providing us a golden opportunity to fulfil the dreams and goals of this aspirational society,” Modi said. ALSO READ: Indian brands that made the world sit up and take notice PM said that this is an auspicious milestone for all Indians to look back and get inspired to take the country ahead in the future. He paid his tributes to the freedom fighters who laid down their lives to gain independence from British rule. He remembered heroes of our independence like Rani Lakshmi Bai, Tatya Tope, Mangal Pandey, Bhagat Singh, Chandrasekhar Azad, Ashfaaqullah Khan, Mahatama Gandhi, and Lal Bahadur Shastri, among others. He said that the nation will never forget their sacrifice and will try to feel inspired by their lives. ALSO READ: How is India celebrating 75 years of freedom? “Every India is filled with pride when they remember the strength of the women of India, be it Rani Laxmibai, Jhalkari Bai, Chennamma, Begum Hazrat Mahal,” PM Modi at Red Fort. PM Modi said that the nation is forever indebted to the leaders and visionaries who showed the path to the nation after the independence. “Be it those who fought for independence or built the nation, Dr Rajendra Prasad, Nehru ji, Sardar Patel, Shyama Prasad Mookerjee, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Deendayal Upadhyaya, Jai Prakash Narayan, Ram Manohar Lohia, Vinoba Bhave, Nanaji Deshmukh, Subramania Bharati, it’s the day to bow before such great personalities,” PM said from the Red Fort. ALSO READ: India @75: Memorable moments in markets He said that while there are so many names that the nation remembers on every Independence Day, many of them do get overlooked.

However, this time, due to the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav campaign that started last year with Dandi March, the nation has been able to recognise and acknowledge the sacrifice of the lesser-known freedom fighters from obscure parts of the country.

“When we speak of the freedom struggle, we can’t forget the tribal community. Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Sidhu-Kanhu, Alluri Sitarama Raju, and Govind Guru, there are innumerable names who became the voice of the freedom struggle and inspired the tribal community to live and die for Mathrubhumi, the PM noted. “India is the mother of democracy. India has proved that it has a precious ability, and faced many challenges during its journey of 75 years,” said PM Modi. ALSO READ: Business doyens of independent India “In this 75-yr journey, amid hopes, aspirations, highs and lows, we reached where we could with everyone’s effort. In 2014, citizens gave me the responsibility, the first person born after independence who received the opportunity to sing praises of citizens of this country from Red Fort”, PM said. PM Modi added, “India can’t just pat its own back and rest on the laurels of the past and talk about the hardship that the nation has faced to reach where it is today. It is the responsibility of every Indian to work hard for the next 25 years, so that when 2047 comes, we can realise the dreams of the freedom fighters”. He said that when the nation is connected to its roots, only then can it fly high. And when the nation will fly high, India will provide solutions to the entire world. Speaking about the dignity of women, PM Modi said that somehow it has come into our habit to not respect women as we should. He said that the nation can not progress without the contribution of women. Therefore, he said, that all Indians must take a pledge and try to avoid words and actions that demean women. “Today, we are seeing the Digital India initiative, startups grow in the country, and a lot of talent is coming from Tier 2 & 3 cities. We have to believe in our abilities. From renewable energy to better infrastructure for medical education, India has improved on every front”, said the PM. PM Narendra Modi said that equality cornerstone of India’s progress and we need to make sure India is united through the mantra of ‘India first’.

During his Independence Day address from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort, Modi said there was an increase in common consciousness of the love for the nation.

The fight against Covid-19 was an example of this common consciousness where citizens came together, he said.

“Covid-19 has been an example of this common consciousness where citizens came together. From supporting doctors to propelling research to taking vaccines to the remotest parts, we stood together. The country’s citizens stood with ‘corona warriors’ by the gestures of banging thalis and lighting diyas,” Modi said on the 75th anniversary of Independence Day.

Lauding citizens for leading the way in taking vaccines, he added: “When there was confusion prevailing in the world over the efficacy of vaccines, my country’s people came forward and we accomplished the feat of administering 200 crore vaccine doses. That surprised the world.” The prime minister also stressed on the fact that the country broke previous records in the administration of vaccine doses.

“We broke all previous records by administering 200 crore vaccine doses in a time-bound manner. Can any other nation do this,” he asked.