New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the country from the ramparts of the Red Fort and unfurl the national flag on 15 August, the 74th Independence Day. But unlike the previous years, I-Day this year comes amid a raging pandemic, the consequent economic downturn, and the recent India-China stand-off.

We asked our readers: What should be the focus of PM Modi’s Independence Day address this year?

This is what some of them had to say:

‘PM should talk about Covid-19 vaccine, revival of economy’

The country is in the middle of numerous problems … but the priority remains when will the country be independent from this pandemic. There have been multiple conversations about commencement of human trials for the vaccine. A few minutes on where does India stand in this race of launching or receiving the vaccine would help reassure the country that there is a hope. We are almost done, just a little more to go!

The country has heard enough about Ram temple, delivery of Rafale fighter jets and ban on Chinese apps, but a little about revival of economy, restart of sectors which have been hit in the worst possible manner will make for a sensible address that the country, especially the youth, will be interested to hear.

P.S. Modi ji, no new difficult Hindi words to kickstart another chain of memes or trending hashtags.

This Independence Day, let’s talk about being independent! — Shivani Relia, New Delhi.

‘Should address elephant in the room, not an opaque speech’ 

Modi is nothing if not a man of speeches, skipping over the messy bits and making his followers feel like the world is a beautiful place to live in. This may work with some audiences and situations but not always, and one can hope that the day of independence of India will be the day of transparency.

There are multiple elephants in the room — Covid-19, Ayodhya, CAA — that we got a lot of mixed information about but then forgot because of coronavirus, PMCARES Fund, unemployment etc. The ball is in his court and hopefully it isn’t rolling towards another opaque speech — Aditi, Kanpur. Twitter handle: @a_deity_03

‘PM should promise and promote equality among citizens’

First of all, the Prime Minister should promise and promote equality between citizens as it is really necessary if you see current situation.

Secondly, he should take some measures to stop China’s intervention in India.

Improving healthcare system and spending more on education can also be helpful. For farmers, he has promised a lot, but can’t see his policy seriously helping them, so no expectations here.

At last, there must be some strict law for stopping lynching cause it’s one of the most unconstitutional things I saw — Akshit Kadyan. Twitter handle: @KaRmaWillPaY

‘PM should talk about preparing India for a future pandemic’

This Independence Day, PM Modi should talk about preparing India for a future pandemic like this one. If he insists on masks and sanitising measures as behavioural change, I am sure people will listen to him as was the in case of the Swachh Bharat Mission. Also, he should announce a state-sponsored mechanism which will work in preparing India to fight against such pandemics in future.

He should talk about boosting health sector in India which is probably one among the worst in developing countries all over the world. Health facilities are something which we need the most in case of such pandemics — Rahul Yadav, Rewari

‘Speech should be on uniting us against common adversaries’

Right now, we are going through a difficult time. Covid- 19, ailing economy, unemployment, China, floods, etc, issues that affect all, irrespective of religion and politics. In the face of these challenges, our country needs to stand united and weather the storm. But with issues such as CAA-NRC, Kashmir clampdown, Ayodhya etc, our country is becoming increasingly polarised and divided against itself.

Modi’s speech needs to build consensus across the board, and unite us against our common adversaries. Go from leader of 22.5 crore people who voted for BJP to leader of 130 crore Indians — Harit Sandur, Bengaluru. Twitter handle: @haritsv95

‘PM should present his vision on upgrading military arsenal’

As India celebrates its 74th Independence Day, it faces significant challenges due to Covid-19 and China’s transgressions at the Ladakh border. While I assume that the PM is going to talk on healthcare, I would like him to present his vision on upgrading our military arsenal and how India can take this opportunity to make more defence equipment in India. PM should also leave hints in his speech on whether India will continue its non-alignment policy or is it now going to align itself with the US — Vidyuth Chikoti, SanFrancisco Bay area. Twitter handle: @followvidyuth

‘PM’s speech should focus on India’s sovereignty, health infrastructure’

2020 is definitely not like anything that our former president Dr Kalam had dreamt of. This year has been very challenging for India on every front, be it health infrastructure or India’s sovereignty. This year’s Independence Day holds very strategic importance for India, as people across the world will be listening to the PM’s speech to take out inferences on how India will be entering the next decade. This year’s PM speech should focus primarily on India’s sovereignty, plans to improve India’s health infrastructure, to bring India on the path to economic recovery after this pandemic — Mohd. Talha Masood, Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh. Twitter handle: @talha_masood97

‘Modi should make government’s stance transparent’

This Independence Day, PM should focus on all the aspects which are required to be addressed to make his government’s stand more transparent before the people, otherwise he will have to bear the consequences.

In the recent past, the government was seen hiding its face on various vital issues like India-China dispute, scrapping of Article 370, privatisation of government bodies … This leads to an unfavourable condition for PM, where he loses his own credibility before his followers — Syed Ehtesham Ali, New Delhi. Twitter handle: @Ali18Ehtesham

‘Discuss India-China talks, flood-prone states, Covid vaccine’

While India approaches its 74th Independence Day celebrations, the nation in current testing times, stands stronger and more united than ever. Few of the key agendas that PM Modi should throw light upon must be the increasing India-China tensions at friction areas along the LAC and the ongoing diplomatic talks between the two nations in curbing the crisis. Secondly, aim at providing hope and support to the flooding regions of Kerala, Assam, Bihar and Mumbai. Lastly, provide clarity on the stages of development with regards to the in-house Covid-19 vaccinations and the plan for importation from other member nations — Rohit Kumar V, Bengaluru. Twitter handle: @iamrohitvkumar

‘PM must talk about welfare of nation’

The Prime Minister must think and address the welfare of the nation rather than delivering any content (based) on his own political interest. The PM must include arduous national issues such as the ongoing pandemic, religious conflicts, border issues and must speak for the nation’s integrity and development under democratic ideas. The speech must be applause-worthy for the lives lost in fighting for the nation. The speech must be a tribute to our doctors and a ray of hope for citizens. Most importantly, the PM must have a glance on bringing his aphorism and obligations under action rather than just words — Syed Mobashshir Athar, Narkatiaganj, Bihar. Twitter handle: @msyedisback

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