India became a challenge to forces of expansionism with its freedom struggle, the prime minister said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the importance of a self-reliant or Atmanirbhar Bharat in his speech on the occassion of India's 74th Independence Day today.
"In midst of coronavirus pandemic, Indians resolve to become 'self-reliant'; this is not a word but mantra for all people. India became a challenge to forces of expansionism with its freedom struggle. It is necessary for us to prepare ourselves to make India self-reliant and India's share in world economy should increase for which we have to be self-reliant," the prime minister said.
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"For how long India will export raw materials and import finished products; country has to become self-reliant. We have to go beyond reducing our imports," he added.
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