Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the centre stage at the Red Fort on Wednesday, delivering his Independence Day speech with a keen eye on the 2019 general elections.
Presenting a report card of his four years in office, Modi made two significant announcements in his nearly 90-minute speech: the launch of manned space mission Gagan-Yaan by 2022, and the rollout of affordable healthcare programme Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Abhiyan (Ayushman Bharat) on September 25, the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay.
Economic issues such as the unemployment situation, falling rupee and aftermath of demonetisation did not find any mention in the speech.
Asserting that he was impatient, anxious and keen to see India progress and her citizens get a better quality of life, Modi said it would have taken hundreds of years for facilities such as domestic LPG to reach the poor if one had settled for the pace of growth seen during the UPA regime. “The same set of experts who had earlier dubbed India as a ‘sleeping elephant’ are now saying it has woken up and started running,” said Modi.
The current dispensation has made rapid strides in improving access to electricity, LPG and other daily needs for the poor, he added.
“In 2013, they used to talk about policy paralysis. Today, in 2018, it is about ease of doing business,” said Modi. “In 2013, India used to be counted as part of the ‘Fragile Five’ in the world. Today, India is seen as a destination for multi-billion-dollar investments...Today, the entire world is looking at this achievement with pride.”
Referring to the government’s commitment to double farm income by 2022, Modi said it is working towards putting in place a National Agri Export Policy. Refraining from commenting on farmer suicides, he lauded the farm community for its efforts to bolster agricultural output.
“My dear countrymen, I am restless, I am agitated and I am also impatient for my country to lead the fourth industrial revolution, the revolution that is based on knowledge, the revolution which will be led by those who have IT skills. I am impatient for my country to lead it,” he said.
Industry captains welcomed the announcement on the universal healthcare plan and reacted favourably to the comments on India’s economic growth trajectory.
Cong wants debate
The Opposition, however, was quick to point out the PM’s silence on key issues. Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said what the nation needs is independence from discrimination, unemployment, poverty and empty rhetoric.
In 2013, Modi had created a symbol of Red Fort in Chhattisgarh and challenged the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to an open debate, recalled Surjewala. Modi had wanted to discuss the issues of corruption, China and Pakistan threatening the territorial integrity of India, falling rupee and discrimination against women and farmers.
Surjewala challenged Modi to have an open debate now with Congress President Rahul Gandhi on the issues of unemployment, corruption, Rafale deal, falling rupee, failing economy and the plight of farmers.