PM Modi touches on problem areas in I-Day speech: Manipur, inflation, unemployment

He replaced his usual style of addressing citizens as “Bhaiyo aur Beheno (my brothers and sisters)” with “parivarjan (family members)” in his 90-minute speech and highlighted his track record in the last nine years. Modi said in this time he had brought reforms and transformed the country into a “vishwamitra (friend of the world)”. He used the term 34 times during his speech.

Modi who had emphasised his battle against corruption and dynasty politics in his last Independence Day address reiterated his political fight against them, and added appeasement as another ill, which he said, had “slaughtered social justice. “Corruption is a curse to any nation. Nepotism is the enemy of talents, capabilities, potentials … it devours the country like a termite. Democracy can be strengthened only by finishing them. Appeasement is the foe of social justice and development. Let’s resolve to fight against them,” the PM urged with an apparent call to defeat all the “corrupt and dynasty” parties.

Unlike his address replying to the no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha, which was criticised for his silence on Manipur violence for almost 90 minutes, Modi on Tuesday spoke about it at the beginning itself. “In the Northeast, especially in Manipur, a period of violence ensued, many people lost their lives, disrespect has been shown to the honour of mothers and daughters. But for a few days, news of peace is coming continuously. The country is with the people of Manipur…” Asserting that only peace will find the way to the solution, the PM assured that the central and the state governments were working to resolve the problems.

Interestingly, Modi who usually mentions the “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas” slogan in his speeches, tried to break it into a more nuanced message – in the line of the concept of Bahujan Samaj Party’s (BSP) “Bahujan Hitay, Bahujan Sukhaye (in the interest and happiness of the Bahujan)”, the PM said, “Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhaye”. He named certain communities with traditional skills — Raj Mistris (construction workers), Sunar (goldsmith), Suthar (carpenters), washermen, barbers, vegetable vendors as well as professionals.

Keeping in line with his party’s focus on the women’s support base for the upcoming elections, Modi said now that India had the maximum number of pilots in civil aviation and women scientists were leading the Chandrayaan mission, his next dream was to see two crore “lakhpati didis” in village Self-Help Groups. “For this, we have decided to start a new scheme, in which self-help group women will be trained to operate and repair drones. It will empower rural women and strengthen the country’s agri-tech sector,” Modi said, adding that even the G20 countries were recognising the importance of women-led development in the country. The Prime Minister had highlighted his government’s initiatives for the girl child and women’s empowerment in his previous Independence Day addresses too.

Amid fears that the rising inflation could dent the ruling BJP’s middle class support base, Modi announced that the government was working to increase the number of “Jan Aushadhi Kendras” from 10,000 to 25,000, pointing out that these centres had given new power to people, especially the middle class. “If someone is diagnosed with diabetes, then a monthly bill of Rs 3,000 gets accrued. Through Jan Aushadhi Kendras, the medicines that cost Rs100, we are giving it for Rs10 to Rs 15,” he said.

Throughout his speech, Modi tried to exude confidence about the outcome of the 2024 general election. While a promise for a change brought the BJP into power in 2014, the performance of his government ensured a comeback in 2019, Modi said he would return to power next year to take forward the transformation process and would inaugurate all the projects for which he was laying foundations these days. “The coming five years are the crucial golden moment for realising the dreams for our country in 2047,” he said adding, “Next August 15, from this Red Fort, I will present to you the country’s achievements, your capabilities, your resolve, the progress made in its, its success and its glory. I am saying it with full confidence.”

With his party making efforts to allay apprehensions about a growing disenchantment over inflation and joblessness, Modi sounded positive about India’s future. “This is a new India, this is an India full of self-confidence, this is an India that is working hard to make its resolutions a reality. That’s why this India does not stop, does not get tired, does not pant and this India does not give up.”

Reiterating that he has been committed to the progress and development of India, the PM maintained he had “worked hard, he has done it for the country, he has done with pride” with a resolve that “only and only nation first and nation paramount”. To buttress his point that he was a commoner and not a part of family politics, Modi said, “I come from among you. I come out of you, I live for you. Even my dreams are about you. When I sweat, it’s for you. I am doing this because you are my family and I cannot see any of you sad.”

Terming India’s present position as a “vishwamitra”, the PM said the Covid pandemic brought in a new world order and new geopolitical equation and that India’s role was a prominent one in this global scenario. “A new trust has arisen in the world about India’s potential. Today, the world is watching India’s diversity with astonishment, due to which their fascination for India has gone up.”

Presenting his report card, Modi said Centre’s contribution to state governments had gone up to Rs 100 lakh crore from Rs 30 lakh crore in nine years — from Rs 70,000 crore to Rs 3 lakh crore for local governments and Rs 90,000 crore to Rs 4 lakh crore for housing schemes, He said Rs 2 lakh crore was spent on tap water connections, Rs 70,000 crore on Ayushman Bharat, and said13.5 crore poor people had been upgraded into neo-middle class in five years.