India has to march ahead with new pledges for next 25 years: PM Modi

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said India has to march ahead with new pledges for the next 25 years.
While addressing the nation on India's 75th Independence Day, PM said we have to ensure we meet our goal of a self reliant India. "We have to ensure we meet our goal of building Aatmanirbhar Bharat when we celebrate 100 years of India's Independence," he said.
He hoisted the tricolour at the historic Red Fort before his speech and stressed that the day should not be merely a ceremony.
People can take pride that the world's largest Covid vaccination programme in going on in the country, PM Modi said.
He lauded doctors, nurses as well those involved in vaccine manufacturing and others involved in fighting Covid-19.
Pain was one of greatest tragedies of last century, the prime minister said while asserting that August 14 will be remembered as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day.
He also lauded India's Olympic contingent, which was present at the Red Fort, and said their performance encouraged the youth of the country.
‘Sabka Prayas' for building a self-reliant India
PM Modi gave a call for ‘Sabka Prayas' (everyone's efforts) along with 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas' for building a self-reliant India.
"We have to ensure we meet our goal of building Aatmanirbhar Bharat when we celebrate 100 years of India's Independence,” PM said.
He added that ‘Sabka Saath - Sabka Vikas - Sabka Vishwas' and everyone's efforts are very important in achieving “all our goals”.
Hand-holding of deprived communities necessary, reservation being ensured
Reservation is being ensured for Dalits, STs, backwards and general category poor, said PM Modi said and stressed that the hand-holding of deprived communities is necessary.
"We have to bridge the gap between lives in villages and cities," the Prime Minister said.
Over 4.5 crore new households have received piped water supply within two years of 'Jal Jeevan Mission', he said.
The prime minister, who hoisted the tricolour at the Red Fort before his speech, gave a call for 'Sabka Prayas' along with 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas' for building a new India.
Govt focus to make small farmers pride of India
The government's focus is to make small farmers, who own less than two hectares of land and comprise over 80 percent of all farmers, the country's pride, PM Modi said.
Rice provided under any scheme will be fortified by 2024, the PM said. "We are witnessing the rapid transformation of our villages," Modi said while stressing that digital entrepreneurs are being nurtured in villages too.
75 Vande Bharat trains to connect parts of India
75 'Vande Bharat' trains will connect different parts of country, the Prime Minister announced. The capitals of northeast states will soon be connected with the railways.The region, he said, is also getting connected with Bangladesh, Myanmar and southeast Asia, he added.