NEW DELHI : As India celebrates its 74th Independence Day today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lead the nation in celebrating the occasion by unfurling the national flag at the majestic Red Fort in Delhi.
PM paid tribute to corona warriors, or those at the forefront of the battle against the coronavirus pandemic, as he addressed the nation on Independence Day. PM Modi said India must become self-reliant and use its vast natural resources to produce for the domestic as well as the global market.

In the one-hour 26-minute speech, he focused on the themes of “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India)”, “Vocal for local” and “Make in India to Make for World”. He also paid tribute to those on the frontlines of the fight against the coronavirus and declared that India had a roadmap ready for the production and distribution of three COVID-19 vaccines that are at various stages of testing.
This is PM Modi’s seventh consecutive Independence Day speech, and second since his BJP-led NDA swept to a second term in power in Lok Sabha elections last year.”I am confident that India will realise this dream. I am confident of the abilities, confidence and potential of my fellow Indians. Once we decide to do something, we do not rest till we achieve that goal,” PM said.
We have recently introduced a new education policy. This will shape the India of the 21st century. We will soon have citizens who shape a new India – ones who are global citizens, but know and understand their roots. The new education policy has also focused on research and development to make India a key R&D destination for the world.
For India to grow at a very fast pace, we have focused on comprehensive, multi-modal infrastucture development. No longer are we segregating rail, from road, ports from airports. We have clubbed them to have a holistic approach to infrastructure development. About 7,000 projects of different sectors have been identified to bring new revolution in infrastructure.
The event at Red Fort this year was relatively muted in terms of participation of people in view of the situation created by COVID-19, which has affected over 24 lakh people in the country.
The key highlights of his speech was the discussion around his government’s policies towards women’s empowerment and social media is all in praises. “This government has been always concerned about the health of our daughters and sisters. Through 6,000 Janaushadhi centres, about 5 crore women have got sanitary pads at Re 1. Also, for their weddings, we have made committees so that the money can be used at the right time,” said PM Modi.
What became the highlight on social media soon after is this particular bit in his speech. PM Modi became India’s first prime minister to make a mention of sanitary napkins during an independence day speech.
Modi’s speech drew a round of praises from social media. Menstruation, sanitary napkins are not usually a part of men’s vocabulary. So to have the Prime Minister speak about it on Independence Day meant a lot in shattering those taboos.

Poonam Muttreja, a public health expert and Executive Director of the Population Foundation of India said that Modi’s speech provides an encouragement to talk kore openly about issues that are critical for the empowerment of girls and women, including access to menstrual hygiene products and preventing early marriages, which are vital in any conversation about India’s future.
In view of the situation, the general public was not been invited to the event. Instead, 1,500 corona warriors, including 500 police personnel who have recovered from the infection, attended the function in a symbol of the citizens’ determination to fight the pandemic and emerge winners

PM Modi rues absence of children at Red Fort during Independence Day celebrations . “Today, our children are not here with us. The coronavirus pandemic has halted all of us,” Everyone felt their absence as children clap and cheer loudly throughout the event, but this time, it was a rather quiet affair in keeping with the COVID-19 safety protocols.
Children are vulnerable to the coronavirus infection and so, in view of the containment measures adopted for the event, they did not take part in the celebrations this year, which were significantly scaled down due to the COVID-19 situation.

India has as much commitment to make its security apparatus and Army strong as it has for establishing peace and harmony, Modi said on Saturday, stressing that mammoth steps have been taken to make the country self-reliant in the defence sector.
PM Modi said recently, import of more than 100 military equipment has been stopped. “From missiles to light military helicopters, from assault rifles to transport aircraft – all will be made in India. Our Tejas is getting ready to equip itself as per the modern requirements, for putting up a show of its majesty, speed and strength,” he said.
Delivering his speech the prime minister said, “A special campaign is being worked out to reduce pollution in 100 selected cities with a holistic approach.” Announcing big plans for Ladakh, he said, “Just like Sikkim has made its mark as an organic state, efforts are being made to make Ladakh a carbon-neutral region.” According to officials, Ladakh accounts for 0.1 per cent of the country’s total emissions.
Announcing the National Digital Health Mission on the occasion Prime Minister said that a unique health ID will be provided to every citizen which will have their details of diseases, diagnosis, report, medication and so on.
In his address to the nation, PM Modi mentioned India’s strategy for the development of COVID-19 vaccine. The Prime Minister stated that scientists are working on this mission with strong determination.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi this year went for a saffron and cream safa (head gear) for the Independence Day function at Delhi’s Red Fort. Continuing with his tradition of colourful turbans, the Prime Minister today sported a safa with a long trail.
The PM paired the safa with a half-sleeve kurta in pastel shade, which has attained an iconic status as the famous ‘Modi kurta’ since his campaign days in 2013-14 and earlier. He wore a white scarf with a saffron border that he used for covering his mouth and nose in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Last year, PM Modi had worn a multi-coloured safa as he gave his sixth Independence Day speech, months after a stunning victory in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, and returning to power for a second term.
(With Agency Inputs. Pic: The Hindu ).

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