PM Modi addressed the nation on 70th Independence Day from Red Fort in New Delhi
Highlights
- Our duty to make India the very best: PM Modi at Red Fort
- Government committed to 'responsibility and accountability': PM
- India is celebrating its 70th year of freedom
After he unfurled the National flag at Delhi's spectacular Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said it is "our duty to make India the very best", adding that his focus is on taking India "swarajya (self-governance) to surajya (good governance)".
Wearing a short-sleeved white kurta and a turban streaked in shades of orange, red and pink, the PM said his government is committed to "responsibility and accountability" and has earned the trust of the people with "reform, perform and transform"as its mantra.
The PM's address as India celebrates its 70th year of freedom was once again made without the bulletproof enclosure used by some of his predecessors.
"If we have millions of problems, we have 1.25 billion minds to solve them as well," the PM said while stressing that the country's founding principles including non-violence, social harmony and a respect for all religions. His remarks come amid outrage over attacks on Dalits or members of the lowest caste in different parts of the country including his home state of Gujarat.
The PM in a lengthy speech presented an update on his administration's record in bringing electricity and toilets to villages, curtailing inflation to 6%, controlling leakages in delivering subsidies in welfare reform schemes, and guaranteed greater transparency in government action and policy.
"We want to change the situation where people are scared of Income Tax authorities, particularly the middle class," he said.
In a clear message to Pakistan at a time of deteriorating relations, Mr Modi said the people of Balochistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir have thanked India for speaking up on their behalf. India has faulted Pakistan for instigating weeks of violence in the Kashmir Valley in which nearly 60 people have died and thousands have been left injured as protestors clash with security forces.
The PM's comments today echoed his statement last week in which he said Pakistan has illegally occupied a part of Kashmir that will always belong to India. Delhi has also urged Islamabad to stop violating human rights in the region of Balochistan, which is seeking independence from Pakistan.