145;No one can break our will, or unity146;

The 50-minute address from the Red Fort 8212; marked by Cabinet ministers8217; thin attendance 8212; saw these 8216;8216;domestic8217;8217; themes being elaborated by the PM at length, and the crucial subject of foreign policy was reduced to just three paragraphs out of a total of 45. The PM8217;s understated objective clearly was 8212; the world is watching us, so the challenges are in the domestic sector.

To bring home this point, he said, 8216;8216;New powers have emerged in Asia. Look at where Japan was and where it is today. Look at where China was and where it is today. Look at where the countries of south-east Asia were and where are they today? When I see them, I wonder whether we are living up to our full potential or not.8217;8217;

So, quite obviously, he didn8217;t mince words while talking about farmers8217; suicides: 8216;8216;When I visited Vidarbha, the plight of the farmers there made a deep impact on me8230;We need to think about how we can provide a decent livelihood to our farmers?8217;8217; He was equally forthright when he talked about rising prices in the country: 8216;8216;I know that each of our families is concerned about the prices of essential commodities. Let me assure you that we will do whatever is required to keep prices under check.8217;8217;

But, not before he cautioned against subsidies, thereby giving a hint of the times to come: 8216;8216;8230;there is a limit to which we can go on subsidising the consumption of petroleum products in the face of rising import costs. How much more can the government treasury bear this burden? At some point this will affect our ability to spend on other important development programmes.8217;8217;

On terror, Singh talked tough 8212; referring to the 8216;8216;inhuman terrorist attack8217;8217; in Mumbai 8212; as he identified terrorism and Naxalism as the two major threats to internal security: 8216;8216;Let those who want to hurt us by inflicting a thousand cuts remember 8212; no one can break our will, or unity. No one can make India kneel.8217;8217;

On peace moves towards Pakistan, Singh was forthcoming: 8216;8216;It is obvious that unless Pakistan takes concrete steps to implement the solemn assurances it has given to prevent cross-border terrorism against India from any territory within its control, public opinion in India which has supported the peace process will be undermined.8217;8217;

He also took note of the recent floods in Surat, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh: 8216;8216;In the past one month, many parts of the country have been badly affected by floods and there has been extensive loss of life and property. We will provide all possible assistance for the relief of these regions.8217;8217;

Singh also took this opportunity to drive home the government8217;s commitment of 8216;8216;providing reservation in educational institutions for students from socially backward sections of society.8217;8217; But, he allayed fears of any shrinking opportunities: 8216;8216;We will do so, while at the same time expanding educational opportunities for all youth 8230;in this manner, we will recognise and reward individual merit and hard work while working for an inclusive society.8217;8217;

PMSPEAK

8226; War on poverty: NREG and Bharat Nirman programmes

8226; Expert group to look into agricultural indebtedness

8226; JNNURM: Metro in Bangalore and Mumbai

8226; Comprehensive rehabilitation policy for the displaced in the offing

8226; Backward regions grant fund: Rs 500 cr in 250 districts yearly

8226; A Mission on Vocational Education in the works