New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Independence Day, warned of a new enemy, the “Dimagi naxal”.
“Naxalism, Maoism destroyed the dreams of lakhs of youth. It stole the sons of numerous mothers, crushed the dreams of numerous mothers. This naxalism had kept a large part of India and population as a hostage for 4 decades with the barrel of a gun, they had destroyed the Constitution… Today I am happy to announce that naxalism does not have even the strength to breathe,” PM Modi said during his Independence Day address.
However, he added, while the naxals who took up arms in the jungle have been eliminated, there are also “dimagi naxals”, who are there in various parts of the country and need to be “identified, and isolated” so the youth of the country can be brought together for a developed India.
“For years, people with Maoist thinking were there in public life, even in government committees. This thinking had affected various institutions and initiatives. My dear countrymen, we have been able to curb and free the country from ‘hathariya naxal’ (armed naxal). But the ‘dimagi naxal’ (people with naxal thinking), are looking for an opportunity, looking to see ways of violence, and trying to drag the country to a wrong path,” PM Modi said.
PM Modi also unveiled ‘Shakti Ki Saptadhara’, defining seven pillars which will power India’s journey to Viksit Bharat.
He spelt out the seven pillars as: Manufacturing; agriculture and food processing; technology and innovation; Gati Shakti focus on “seamless and high speed connectivity”; defence manufacturing and Atmanirbhar defence; greater innovation in the green sector; and India’s ‘soft power’, including Yoga, handicrafts, films, animation, gaming, digital content, etc.
Here are some of the other quotes from PM Modi’s Independence Day speech:
‘Vande Mataram sung at Red Fort for the first time’
“Today, it is a historic moment for all of us. After 80 years, Vande Mataram was sung at the Red Fort for the first time on the occasion of Independence Day.”
‘Viksit Bharat by 2047’
“We will strive towards making a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047. This is collective resonance of more than 140 crore nationals.”
“Internet users, consumers increased by 4 percent; digital transactions rose by 100 percent. Every year, we provided direct water supply and gas connections. We achieved these within the last decade. This tells us that we are on our path to make our country a ‘Viksit Bharat.’
“Before 2014, only 70 cities in India had access to piped gas. Now, more than 700 cities have been connected to piped gas, essentially over 1.45 crore households. Solar energy capacity has been increased to 106 GW.”
‘Make in India’
“We should strive towards making (our) country self-reliant. We need to protect our own interests and the ‘Make in India’ campaign stands out.”
‘Critical minerals evolving demand’
“Critical minerals, energy security, and data centres are evolving demands of our time. By 2047, we aim to generate 100 GW of nuclear power and get 5 new nuclear reactors.”
Gati Shakti, FTAs
“In 90 years, just 30 percent of the rail network was electrified. In a decade, we succeeded in electrifying 100 percent of the rail network.”
“We have ongoing Free Trade Agreements with more than 40 nations. India’s seafood has an evolving potential.”
“India has maintained the spirit of ‘Nagarik Devo Bhav’ when some people thrived on fear-mongering.”
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
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