PM Modi Addresses Nation From Red Fort On 74th Independence Day: Highlights

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is addressing the nation from the majestic Red Fort in the national capital. PM Modi is giving his annual speech shortly after unfurling the national flag at the iconic monument. After the speech is over, the National Cadet Corps cadets will sing the national anthem.

The function at Red Fort this year will be relatively muted in terms of participation of people in view of the situation created by COVID-19, which has affected over 24 lakh people in the country.

In view of the situation, the general public have not been invited to the event. Instead, 1,500 corona warriors, including 500 police personnel who have recovered from the infection, will attend the function in a symbol of the citizens' determination to fight the pandemic and emerge winners.

Here are the highlights of PM Modi's address from Red Fort On 74th Independence Day:

• My fellow Indians, my best wishes to you all on Independence Day.Today, we are breathing in a free India because of hundreds of thousands of our freedom fighters and today's security forces, be it the army, the police or other security forces.
• We are passing through strange times. I don't see children here at the Red Fort because of the pandemic we are facing. We need to take adequate precautions.
• On behalf of the entire nation, I want to thank the efforts of all corona warriors. All those healthcare workers, doctors and nurses, who have worked tirelessly to serve the nation. Many have even lost their lives. The nation salutes them.
• The day of freedom and Independence is a day we remember the sacrifice of all our freedom fighters. It is a day which brings joy and hope to us all.
• As we celebrate the 74th Independence Day, we look forward to the important milestone ahead - our 75th year of Independence, and as we lead up to it, it brings new energy and determination to take the nation forward. When we reach that milestone, we shall celebrate in a grand manner.
• India faced centuries of foreign rule. All efforts were made to destroy our nation, our culture, our traditions, but they underestimated our self-belief and determination. We lived through it all and emerged victorious in the end.
• Those who were busy finding new places to put their flags, who wanted to expand their empire underestimated us. The world saw two world wars and so many nations faced immense destruction, but we rose through it all... our freedom struggle was seen by the world.
• Today, we focus on taking India to new heights, to build a new India - an atma-nirbhar (self-reliant) India. India will most certainly achieve this. History is evidence to the fact that when India is determined to achieve something, it has always done so.
• A self-reliant India has now become the mantra for 130 crore Indians.I believe in the nation, its people, our belief, our young citizens. We believe in Vasudev Kutumbakam - The entire world is one family.
• We need to be self-reliant in the farm sector. India has recently removed all restrictions from the agriculture and farming sector. This will benefit our farmer brothers and sisters immensely.
• Today, we have opened up our space sector to the private sector. When India's space sector grows, our neighbours and the world benefits from it too.
• I admit that there are lakhs of challenges for India to become atma-nirbhar (self reliant), and yes, there is fierce competition from the rest of the world. But I always say that if India faces lakhs of challenges, it also has 130 crore solutions.
• We have seen that when we put our mind to it, we can achieve anything. We never made PPE Kits, our production of masks and ventilators was meagre... but today we are making it all.
• As we move towards our 75th year of Independence, the entire nation must take a pledge to make 'vocal for local' the mantra of the nation.
• Over the last year, with an 18% rise, FDI (foreign direct investments) have broken all past records. It is commendable that even as the world battles COVID-19, investments are pouring into India. It tells us that the world sees our potential and has hope from a rising India.
• Our foremost priority is to bring the nation out of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is restricting us from operating freely.
• For India to grow at a very fast pace, we have focused on comprehensive, multi-modal infrastucture development. No longer are we segregating rail, from road, ports from airports. We have clubbed them to have a holistic approach to infrastructure development.
• About 7,000 projects of different sectors have been identified to bring new revolution in infrastructure.
• Be it electricity for all, gas connections for all, bank accounts for all, toilets in all homes, public sanitation for all, ration to reach all irrespective where they are, the world's largest health cover of up to 5 lakhs for many, connecting villages with the intrnet, bringing technology to small business and ration shops, giving benefits and freedom to farmers - all of it is being done at a rapid pace, and in an inclusive manner.
• As said earlier, we are working to double farmers' income. Some of you may not know this, but unlike any other business, where a business man has the freedom to sell their product or service in any part of the country or the world and at a price they want, our farmers, till recently, did not have that freedom. They could only sell to who they were told to sell to. Now, we have removed these restrictions, and given farmers the freedom to sell at the best price, and to who they want to.
• We are also working on our goal towards Jal Jeevan Mission through which potable drinking water will be made available in every tap in every home. All Indians must have pure drinking water available in their taps. We are working on this on a very large scale, covering every village and every district across the nation.
• A home for every Indian is another area of focus towards which we are working. Every Indian should have a roof over their head, and that is a promise that we will deliver in the next few years. We are building homes for the poor and those who have a meagre income.
• We have recently introduced a new education policy. This will shape the India of the 21st century. We will soon have citizens who shape a new India - ones who are global citizens, but know and understand their roots. The new education policy has also focused on research and development to make India a key R&D destination for the world.
• Today, we are adapting to technology at a faster pace than ever before. The nation has accepted new methods of transactions - digital transactions have already crossed Rs 3 lakh crore. In the next 1,000 days, villages across the country will have optical fibre connections available.
• Today, women walk shoulder-to-shoulder with men. Today we have women officers and soldiers in the armed forces. Be it doctors, engineers, bankers, IT professionals, women are contributing to India's growth in a big way.
• Scientists are working hard for coronavirus vaccine. Three Indian vaccines are in different testing stages.