From aspiration to realization…

In comparison to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inaugural speech given a decade ago in 2014, his eleventh Independence Day speech from the Red Fort in Delhi is nothing but a comprehensive assessment of the nation’s overall progress – economic, social and industrial as well as the advancement of the populace and the administration system as a whole over the last ten years. On reviewing the ten speeches and observing the nation’s steady advancement, it is clear that there has been a considerable shift in the overall mindset of the people and that the nation has positioned itself as a leader on the global platform, exhibiting notable signs of progress across sectors.

In his 65-minute address from the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined his vision for the country, the shifts he planned to bring about in people’s attitudes and the way the government would operate. And if we attempt to make connections between the speeches given through the subsequent Independence Day celebrations, we will see that he expressed satisfaction with having achieved the objectives and standards he had set forth in his first address.

Prime Minister Modi had emphasized a very important point while outlining the structure of his government. He declared his resolve that his government will carefully lead the nation forward by honouring the mandate given by the country in the form of a majority rather than using the power arbitrarily. He had urged everyone to walk together in this march to progress. He had rebuked the administration and emphasized the need to alter its perspective.

He brought attention to the necessity and significance of Swachata Abhiyan, a movement for cleanliness that had never before been discussed from the Red Fort. In the speeches that followed, he talked about his intent to put the movement to action. He underlined that public involvement will be the primary motivator, even as he reiterated the nation’s resolve to win recognition abroad. He left a determination in his speech, vowing to not only build the nation but to lead the entire globe in the march towards the development of humanity. He also made sure to include a stern warning that the nation’s security would not be jeopardized in the process. He pledged to protect the nation’s borders while admonishing those who see the nation unfairly that they will not be spared.

In his 2016 Independence Day speech, he emphasized the government’s dedication towards the people while also drawing attention to the government apparatus’s sensitivity to various factors. He said that these systems need to be sensitive, but he adamantly stated that regrettably, they are not. He also reminded the warning he had given to the people in his administration during his maiden speech that he hadn’t forgotten about his warning. Two years after giving his first speech, he had stated that although attitudes inside the system and among people themselves were improving, the old ‘chalta hai’ and ‘what do I have to do’ mentalities needed to be changed. He also made it clear that he was still striving to achieve the objectives he had stated in his maiden address and had not forgotten them.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had strived to unite the country. It is now our social and collective responsibility to strive for ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’. He also said that after 70 years of independence, the thinking was progressively shifting but we needed to quicken the process. The Jan Dhan Yojana announced in his first speech was slowly getting implemented across the country. Also, the smoke emitting stoves were getting replaced by gas connections. Nearly 4 crore gas connections were added in the first 60 weeks of Modi administration, bringing the total number of gas connections to 14 crore that were given during the previous 60 years. Also, the Jan Dhan Yojana brought around 21 crore families into the mainstream of banking who, even decades after independence, had nothing to do with the banking sector. It is quite admirable how willingly the people are cooperating to see Modi’s resolutions getting fulfilled.

Undoubtedly, India’s success over the last decade will need to be documented in the nation’s history. However, at around the same time, the seeds of a new resolve to turn the nation into a powerhouse were being sown and those seeds cannot be forgotten. In his 2016 Independence Day speech, he had asked for people’s support and the first move in that regard has been made. Prime Minister had asked the younger generation born in the 21 st century to join the nation in its pursuit of development while announcing the resolve for ‘Naya Bharat’. In addition, he heralded the end of the ‘chalta hai’ mentality and offered assurances that ‘Naya Bharat’ had arrived. Following the surgical strike, India demonstrated its ability to befittingly respond to terrorism.

A great sense of self-reliance gets aroused when issues are overcome. The first tenure of Modi’s term, which ran from 2014 to 2019, saw the realization of the hopes and wishes of the populace. During this time, ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ became the catchphrase as a newfound sense of assurance emerged. By taking a revolutionary decision and providing support to Muslim women, the Modi government ended triple talaq. He ushered in a new era by strengthening anti-terrorism laws and stepping up counterterrorism efforts.

The year 2020 will go down in human history as the ‘black period’. The Modi government seized this opportunity to introduce the world to the country’s spiritual culture of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. Over the next three years, every Indian saw what India and the rest of the globe went through and how with courage, India survived this catastrophe. Following the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, there have been a series of developmental initiatives including the Startup India, GST, New India, Ayushman Bharat, Vocal for Local, Lakhpati Didi, Vishwakarma Yojana that got introduced and implemented.

Now, at the dawn of a new era, India’s global stature has risen. Preconceived ideas about India have vanished. The country’s 140 crore people have determined the course of the nation’s progress. Regardless of the intensity of the struggle, the nation demonstrated its ability to overcome any obstacles. People now have a growing feeling of optimism that the dream of an affluent India will come true by the country’s centennial anniversary of independence. Under Modi’s leadership, the idea of ‘Maai-Baap Sarkar’ has been abandoned in modern-day India. After shedding its ‘jaise they’ mentality, the nation is now independently progressing towards growth.

The world now seems to be in a state of instability; it seems to be in a state of melancholy. But for India, this might be the start of a golden age. And there is no way that this chance can be missed. The Modi administration is committed to serving a third term as desired by the people. Modi had assured the nation that he was committed to fulfilling the dreams and aspirations of the people during the Lok Sabha elections. And I am confident that if every opportunity during this golden period is seized and actions are taken to fulfil the resolve, the vision of a prosperous and self-reliant India by 2047 can be realized with active participation from the people.

 

 

(Article Pre-Published in Times of India Online – 19 August 2024)

Keshav Upadhye, Chief Spokesperson