Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said India has completed 7 decades of Independence but our country is still running behind several countries, including those that got freedom after India. He was addressing thousands of students at an event to celebrate the 76th anniversary of India's independence at Thyagaraj Stadium.
Kejriwal said, “Singapore got Independence 15 years after India. Japan and Germany, which were completely destroyed during World War -II, are among the list of top developed countries.
“Why is India not? India has an abundance of rivers, mineral ores, mountains, herbs, crops, oceans and seas, Indians are the smartest and most hardworking in the world, yet why do we lack behind? We should’ve been a world leader by now.”
“On the ocassion of 76 years of Independence, we all have to take a pledge to make India Number 1. All Indians fought together to kick the British out of India and got Independence. Similarly, we can take India to top if we all work together,” he said.
The Chief Minister said with the initiative of installing 500 high-mast national flags across the national Capital, Delhi has become the "city of tricolours".
"Delhi has become the city of Tricolours. We have installed 500 high-mast national flags across Delhi with the objective that people should see the national flag everywhere they go and do not forget the country," he said.
The Chief Minister said he spotted as many as nine high-mast tricolours on his way to the venue of the event. The Chief Minister also asked everyone to pledge to take India to greater heights. "Indians are the most intelligent and industrious people in the world. We have to take a pledge to make the country number one in the world. So let's take a pledge that we will not throw garbage on streets and keep our roads and surroundings clean.
“If possible, pick any garbage you find on the streets and throw it in the trash bins, if you can’t do this, just ensure there’s no filth around in public places,” Kejriwal said.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and other officials. Kejriwal said the Delhi Government has distributed national flags to 25 lakh children to instil a sense of patriotism in them. He said freedom fighters made great sacrifices for the country and it was time to realise their dreams.
"Babasaheb not only fought for the country but also for the rights of Dalits and oppressed people. He gave us the best constitution in the world. Shaheed-E-Azam Bhagat Singh laid down his life for the nation at the age of 23. His martyrdom teaches us about supreme sacrifice for the country," he added. The event began with the famous poem 'Aa Rahi Ravi Ki Sawaari' recorded in the voice of National Awardee Actor Shri Ashish Vidyarthi. After this, Oscar and Grammy Award winner Shri Sukhwinder Singh mesmerised the audience through his live performance of the song 'Pagdi Sambhal Jatta', remembering Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh, followed by ‘Jai Ho’ to mark the occasion.
At the same time, Geetika Ganjoo gave her voice to the famous poet of freedom movement written by Late Pandit Sohanlal Dwivedi 'Himmat Karne Walon Ki Kabhi Haar Nahi Hoti' and inspired everyone to move forward by fighting the difficulties.
Renowned singer Asees Kaur remembered the struggle and sacrifice of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi in the freedom struggle by singing the hymn 'Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram' in his voice. The poem 'Ruke Na Tu, Jhuke Na Tu,' by Harivansh Rai Bachchan, recorded in the voice of Ms Geetika Ganjoo & Ashish Vidyarthi, was presented after this.