Social media was abuzz with overwhelming responses from Indians across the world for the past 24 hours on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s maiden Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort.
Even the perennial Modi baiters like Mahesh Bhatt and Shabana Azmi were airing their opinions praising his speech.
“PM’s speech was very good and he spoke from his heart with clarity. It is important to spell that One vision One goal for India must be a pluralistic one,” Azmi tweeted.
Bhatt posted Modi’s observations against rape and protection of girl child. The film maker is a known Modi baiter and engages in slugfest with Modi supporters on social media.
Azmi’s praise of Modi’s speech, however, did not go down well with the anti-Modi sections on social media. Objecting to their comments, she later shot back: “Expected reaction to my tweets on PM speech. Disapproval from Hindu and Muslim Right Wing and even Secularists! Too bad. But I Say it as it come,” she tweeted.
AAP supporters, who tweeted on the “missing points” like combating corruption, were engaged in Twitter war with Modi supporters throughout the day.
Entrepreneur Kiran Mazumdar Shaw tweeted, “PM’s ID address to nation evoked national pride n a progressive future based on societal environmental n economic sustainability.”
“Seen the 1st PM of India in my life time who could bring out tears from politicians with spirit of patriotism and service #ModiSpeech,” spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar tweeted.
As soon as Modi announced the revamping of Planning Commission, the social media was abuzz with jokes on Montek Singh Ahluwalia, describing him as the “last Emperor.”
“If it s true Planning Commission had more than 400 economists then a single largest massacre of that breed on this day — Will ever be remembered,” said Professor R Vaidyanathan, noted economist.
BJP leaders were also coming out with their full-praise of Modi. “Whereas previous Red Fort speeches made tall promises, PM Modi bowed before people as true sevak. Most inclusive speech ever. Zero defect!,” Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan tweeted.
Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani tweeted, “Happy Independence Day. A salute to those who gave up their lives so that we may live free under one flag, as one Nation.”
“NaMo speech was brilliantly structured to make the common man feel he was talking to him,” tweeted BJP leader Subramanian Swamy.
Union law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, “Independence always goes with Discipline.Independence is also when you recognise the Inter-Dependence of our existence. #HappyIndependenceDay.”
Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said in a tweet,” We salute all those who fought for our Independence. #HappyIndependenceDay.”
Prior to his address at the Red Fort, Modi also wished Independence Day to the Twitterati. “Greetings to my fellow Indians on Independence Day! May our Tricolour fly high and our nation scale new heights of development”, he said.
Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi, the active face of the party in social media tweeted, toning down his usual criticisms: “No doubt that Modi is good orator and extempore speeches connect more easily. But what matters is walking the talk.”
“#ModiAtRedFort The PM seems at his best when speaking extempore. Rare gift. Astonishing how his thoughts are so clear,” a tweet said.
Impressed with the PM’s oratory skills during his 65-minute-long speech, users tweeted “#NaMO Zero defect, 100% effect” and “Truly inspirational I-Day speech! Modi spoke like a PM should!”.