New Delhi: If there was a single purpose of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's marathon Independence Day speech, it was this: to drive away the psyche of negativity engulfing the mood of the nation — owing to the impact of coronavirus and revive the human spirit and appetite for growth.
Modi's punch line was that if we have innumerable problems to grapple with, we also have, amidst us, people who can work to solve them. It was his seventh consecutive address from the Red Fort.
Rebutting his critics who are in a mood to write off his government's efforts, Modi sought to convey a firm resolve to do whatever it takes to set India on the path of rapid change for development.
In doing so, Modi showed that he was undaunted by the task ahead and had not lost verve, which brought the huge mandate of 2014 and the even huger vote of 2019 from an aspirational India.
Ever since the havoc wrought by the pandemic that originated from China, Modi's main focus has remained on the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) mission. So was his thrust in the speech.
Modi outlined in his 86-minute speech roadmap of a modern India that is powerful, self-reliant and a force to reckon with.
He also expanded his India first pitch to 'Make in India, Make for World'. In effect, he said, it would mean that India must become self-reliant and use its vast natural resources to produce for the domestic as well as the global market.
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If anyone thought that it was all-talk and no work, the PM sought to drive home that the FDI growth was recorded at 18% last fiscal. "The country received record foreign direct investments during the last fiscal and even during the coronavirus pandemic, big global companies are looking towards India."
The PM also listed out steps announced under the Rs 20 lakh crore 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' programme, which includes allocation of Rs one lakh crore for revival of agriculture and spurt in the growth of the agro-based industry.
Modi did not mince words in rejecting the idea of a liberal import regime, thinking aloud on how long the country would continue to export raw materials and import finished products. India has vast natural resources and need of the hour was value addition.
"Now we have to move ahead with the mantra of 'make for the world' along with Make in India."
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He unveiled a huge plan for a multi-modal connectivity infrastructure, which should link the entire country and break silos. In this connection, he announced the plan to build a four-lane highway along the entire coastline of India — just as the 5,846 km-long Golden Quadrilateral highway network launched during the Vajpayee era.
As India limps back to normal under various stages of unlock, Modi squarely addressed the concern of a larger number of Indians who are wondering as to when they could hope to see the end of coronavirus.
He spoke about the vaccines being developed in the country, saying not one but three vaccine candidates were going through different stages of clinical trials.
Assuring no delay in their availability for the people, Modi declared once these vaccines get all required clearances, mass-scale production would be started as all arrangements were already in place to make them "available to all Indians."
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In a wellbeing-related measure, Modi indicated the rollout of a National Digital Health Mission under which every Indian will have their own Health ID. This ID and the health profile will have all details like the diseases they have, the treatment they have received, doctor visits, medicines being used etc.
The stand-off with China and the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh after a year since the abrogation of Article 370 also found special mention in Modi's address wherein he sought to deliver a strong warning to Beijing. The PM gave out his commitment for early completion of the delimitation work in Jammu and Kashmir to pave the way for fresh assembly elections.
"This one year is a year of the new journey of development for Jammu and Kashmir. Delimitation exercise is being carried out in Jammu and Kashmir, the country is committed towards the completion of this work so that elections are held and people's representatives are elected there."
Alluding to his critics like Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who have frequently quizzed his government's response to the Chinese incursions, Modi asserted whether it is "expansionism" (by China) or "terrorism" (from across the border from Pakistan), India's soldiers have given a fitting reply to anyone who has challenged the country's sovereignty.
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"From LoC (Line of Control) to LAC (Line of Actual Control), whenever India's sovereignty has been challenged, our soldiers have answered them in their own language."
The PM came out with a new plan for expanding the National Cadet Corps (NCC) as a frontier predatory force in border areas to recruit more than one lakh persons, who could later be drafted into the Army and the paramilitary forces.
Interestingly, Modi enunciated an aspect of India's foreign policy under his leadership.
"A neighbour isn't just someone who shares our borders but those who share our hearts. Where the relationship is respected, it becomes warmer. Today, India has close relations in the greater neighbourhood. We are working together and have a lot of mutual respect for each other," he asserted in what was seen as an allusion to India's growing ties with Japan, Australia and South-East Asian countries as against the frosty ties with China and Pakistan.
Modi did not omit out the Ram Mandir construction for which he performed the bhoomi pujan ceremony on August 5 in Ayodhya. "Ramjanmabhoomi issue that prevailed for centuries, has been resolved peacefully. The conduct of people of the country has been unprecedented and is an inspiration for future," Modi responded, which seemed directed at those questioning his participation in the event.
