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Atmanirbhar Bharat, reply to China, Ram Mandir — what PM’s I-Day speech was all about

PM Narendra Modi spoke about vaccines and the challenges thrown up by Covid. He also announced the launch of the National Digital Health Mission.

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address on the 74th Independence Day Saturday spoke of the challenges faced by the country due to the coronavirus pandemic as well as the border stand-off with China, but added that there are “crores of citizens to present solutions” to these problems.

In his 90-minute speech delivered from the ramparts of the Red Fort, PM Modi laid special emphasis on ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and how it has become a “slogan” for the 130 crore Indians.

“For how long will we keep selling raw materials to the world and import finished goods… We are one step away from completing 75 years of Independence. We need to become atmanirbhar (self-reliant),” Modi added.

The prime minister also addressed the question of the arrival of Covid vaccines, by saying that currently, there are three different vaccines in varying stages of testing in the country.

“As soon as the scientists give a green signal, the country will begin large-scale production,” he added.

Modi was delivering his 7th consecutive Independence Day speech this year as the longest-serving non-Congress prime minister.


Also read: J&K to soon have its MLAs and CM, says Modi, thanks sarpanches for efforts in development


Important launches — Digital Health ID, pipeline project

One of the most pertinent announcements made by Modi was the launch of a ‘National Digital Health Mission’.

A unique health ID, as part of the mission, will be given to every citizen in a bid to bring “technological revolution” in the country’s health sector, he said.

All information — from doctor visits to medication prescribed — will be saved in this database, Modi added.

PM Modi also announced the launch of a national infrastructure pipeline project to “end silos in the multi-modal connectivity infrastructure sector”. He said Rs 110 lakh crore has been earmarked for this project.

Modi also said that in the next 1,000 days, every village in India will be connected with optical fibre cable networks.

Every village in India will be connected, within 1,000 days, with optical fibre cable networks, to aid their internet accessibility, he said.

The prime minister also touched upon the new National Education Policy, which was released last month, and said it would “help our students become global citizens”.

Ram Mandir and scrapping of Article 370

PM Modi also spoke of the Ram Temple construction, whose bhoomi pujan he attended on 5 August. 

“The Ram Janmabhoomi issue that prevailed for centuries, has been resolved peacefully. The conduct of people of the country has been unprecedented and is an inspiration for the future,” Modi said.

The president of Ram Janmabhoomi Trust, Nritya Gopal Das, who had shared the dais with Modi at the bhoomi pujan, tested positive for Covid-19 Thursday.

Modi also spoke about the scrapping of Article 370 in J&K last August, and how it has been the one year of “development” for the region.

He also said Jammu and Kashmir will gets its MLAs and CM soon.

“We are committed to holding assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir once the delimitation exercise is complete,” he added.

The prime minister also spoke about how Dalits and women have benefitted from the Article 370 move.

‘Gave befitting reply to China’

Modi addressed the border stand-off with China, which has been going on since early May, at the Line of Action Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh as well as the continued tensions with Pakistan.

“Those who challenge India’s sovereignty, be it LoC (Line of Control) or LAC, have been given a befitting reply in their own language. What India can do, the world has seen it in Ladakh,” he said.

Modi also spoke about India’s “strengthening” relations with the “extended neighbourhood”.

“Today’s neighbour is not just the one with whom we share a border, but also those with whom our heart stays connected, where there is harmony and peace in relations. I’m happy that India has further strengthened its relations with all countries in our extended neighbourhood,” he said.  


Also read: ‘LoC to LAC, India has given befitting reply’ — Modi’s message to Pakistan, China on I-Day


 

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