Ahead of the 70th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday invoked the freedom struggles led by Mahatma Gandhi and Quit India Movement and exhorted the countrymen to use the same spirit to expel problems of communalism, casteism, corruption, terrorism, poverty and dirt from the country by 2022.
In his monthly radio talk — Mann Ki Baat, the Prime Minister asked citizens to take a pledge to contribute in some way or other to create a “New India”. He also highlighted the success of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill and said “it has transformed the economy.
“Just like five years between 1942 and 1947 became the decisive period, I can see another five-year period from 2017 to 2022 to make a resolve to end the problems of our nation,” Modi said, narrating the momentum of Quit India movement created in the country. The PM identified these problems as communalism, casteism, corruption, terrorism, poverty and dirt and asked people to work for their removal in the same spirit of “Quit India”.
“It is 70 years since we got Independence. Governments came and went, systems emerged and developed. Everyone contributed in own way to end the problems, raise employment, remove poverty and make the country progress. Successes were achieved but the expectations were also raised,” the Prime Minister said. He said this Independence Day should be celebrated as one of resolve to end the problems in next five years.
“If 125 crore people, remembering August 9, 1942, make a pledge on August 15 to contribute something as an individual, as a citizen, as a family person, as a person from a city or a village, as a member of a Government department, there will be crores of pledges,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister also sought ideas from the public which could be incorporated in his Independence Day speech that he will deliver from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort. Interestingly, he said he has heard about “complaints” that his previous Independence Day addresses were long and that he will try to keep it short this time.
“I will try to finish it in 40-45-50 minutes. I have tried to make a rule for myself. I don’t know whether I will be able to do it or not,” he added.
Modi said GST has literally transformed the economy. He said the “smooth transition” of such a huge measure in a vast country involving crores of people was historic and can be a case study for universities around the world. The Prime Minister said the priority of the Government, while ushering in the GST has been that there should no burden on the plate of the poor.
“It has been about a month since the GST was implemented and I feel satisfied and happy when someone writes to me to say how the prices of goods needed by the poor have reduced. GST has transformed the economy. GST, which I call ‘Good and Simple Tax’, has really made a very positive impact on our economy and in such a short span of time,” said Modi.
Modi also referred to the upcoming season of festivals like Raksha Bandhan, Janam Ashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi and Diwali and urged the people to use the items made by poor people of the country as
it is relates to their economic empowerment. “This is the time when poor people get an opportunity to make an earning,” he said. Giving the example of Diwali, he said the people should use environment-friendly ‘diyas’ (small oil lamps) only. Such things, he said, will give work to the poor and help in their empowerment.
The Prime Minister also detailed the extensive relief provided to the flood-hit States and crop insurance companies have been asked to be pro-active in settlement of claims of the affected farmers. He said the situation in flood-affected States including Assam, Gujarat, Rajasthan and West Bengal is being fully monitored and several agencies like the Army, the IAF, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and paramilitary forces are engaged in rescue and relief operations.
In his broadcast, he also talked about the Women’s World Cup which concluded recently and hailed the performance of the Indian team in it, saying “our daughters” are making the nation proud in various fields. The prime minister, who hosted the team at his residence last week, said the players were feeling bad that they could not win the final.
“I told them whether you won or lost the match, you won the hearts of 125 crore people of the country,” he said. Modi said he told them that in today’s world, the media raises expectations to such an extent that when you don’t get success, there is anger.
“We have seen incidents when the Indian players are not successful, then they face public anger. Some people even breach the line of decorum and write such bad things which cause pain.
“But it is for the first time that when our daughters could not be successful in the World Cup (cricket), the 125 crore people of the country carried that defeat on their shoulders. They did not let that burden to be on these daughters,” the prime minister said.