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My dear countrymen,
brothers, sisters, and dear children
My greetings to all of
you on this day, the anniversary of our Independence
1. Today is an auspicious
day for our country. Today we enter the 60th year of
our Independence. Today we re-dedicate ourselves to
the progress and prosperity of our nation. To the
welfare of all our people. To the unity and
integrity of our country.
2. Today we salute our
beloved tricolor. We pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi
and all those freedom fighters because of whose
efforts and sacrifices we secured our Independence.
We remember all those whose hard work and efforts
keep our flag flying high and keep our country on
the road to progress. We pay tribute to the brave
members of our armed forces, farmers, teachers,
scientists, workers and the millions of our
countrymen who are toiling tirelessly for the
progress and prosperity of our nation.
3. In the early hours of
the 15th of August, 1947, when our nation had just
become Independent, our first Prime Minister,
Jawaharlal Nehru spoke to the nation and asked us
all one important question on the very first day we
became a free country: “Are we brave enough and wise
enough to grasp this opportunity and accept the
challenge of the future?”
4. Today, my fellow
citizens, I stand here once again and ask you that
same question. Are we ready to face the challenge of
the future? Are we brave enough, to do so, and wise
enough, in doing so? Can we rediscover the ideas and
ideals that shaped our freedom struggle, and use
them to take our country forward into the future?
Are we willing to show the courage and the wisdom
that Panditji wanted us to show in building a new
India in a new world?
My dear countrymen,
5. The going has never
been as good for India in the past as it is now. Our
economy has been growing at an impressive pace of
over 8%. Such rapid growth over three successive
years is unprecedented in Indian history. Wherever I
go, I see our nation on the move. Our industry and
services sectors are showing impressive growth. I
see a reassuring confidence in our industry in being
able to take on the challenge of the rest of the
world. The growth of the manufacturing industry has
touched 11% in the last quarter, generating many
jobs for our youth and workers. I see our service
sector competing with the best and earning valuable
foreign exchange.
6. All around us, we see
new roads being built. The railways are expanding
their reach. New power plants are being built. New
airports are being planned. Vast industrial estates
and Special Economic Zones are coming up. This
dynamism is the result of the enterprise, creativity
and hard work of millions of Indians. They are
boldly taking our country into the future, treading
on untrodden paths. I am sure this will result in
far greater prosperity for our people. I sincerely
believe that the most effective way to banish
poverty is to generate growth which in turn will
create new opportunities for gainful employment.
Hence, economic growth is of primary importance for
us.
7. It is almost sixty
years since Independence. It is but a brief period
in the history of an ancient civilization. But, it
is a long time in the life of a young nation. In
these sixty years, the world has been transformed
beyond recognition. The empires of Europe have faded
away. New powers have emerged in Asia. Look at where
Japan was and where it is today. Look at where China
was and where it is today. Look at where the
countries of South-east Asia were and where are they
today? When I see them, I wonder whether we are
living up to our full potential or not.
8. India is certainly on
the march. Yet, we have miles to go before we can
truly say that we have made our tryst with destiny.
Sixty years ago, Panditji told us that the two
challenges before a free India was to end the
ancient scourge of poverty, ignorance and disease
and end the inequality of opportunity. India has
marched a great distance forward in these sixty
years, but the challenge of banishing poverty
remains with us. We have yet to banish hunger from
our land. We have yet to eradicate illiteracy. We
have yet to ensure that every Indian enjoys good
health.
9. There is visible
progress all around. However, when I see this, I
have some worries. And I am aware, that every Indian
has similar worries. Even as we move forward
rapidly, to claim our rightful place in the comity
of nations, I see that there are vast segments of
our people who are untouched by modernization; who
continue to do backbreaking labour; who continue to
suffer from iniquitous social orders. I see that our
farmers in many parts are in a crisis, not managing
to eke out a decent living from their land. When I
visited Vidarbha, the plight of the farmers there
made a deep impact on me. The agricultural crisis
that is forcing them to take the desperate step of
committing suicide needs to be resolved. We need to
think about how we can provide a decent livelihood
to our farmers?
10. When I see large
development projects coming up, while one rejoices
at the progress that is being made, one worries for
those who are displaced, for those who have lost
their land and livelihood. When one sees our cities
growing rapidly, one sees visible progress but at
the same time, one worries for the large number of
people who live in their slums. When our industry
and services compete successfully across the globe,
we celebrate our success in global markets; but at
the same time, we are buffeted by the same global
forces when oil prices go up because of factors
beyond our control. Globalisation certainly has its
benefits; but it can also hurt the common man.
11. The challenge for us
as a nation is to address this duality - to ensure
that while we keep the wheels of progress moving
rapidly forward, no section of society and no part
of the country is left behind; to ensure that growth
generates the necessary wealth which can then
finance the welfare of marginalized groups; to
ensure that growth generates employment and a bright
future for our youth.
12. In the past two
years, it has been our endeavour to address these
concerns. We have taken many steps to expand
employment opportunities and improve the quality of
life in rural and urban areas.
13. The National Rural
Employment Guarantee Act has been enacted to provide
income security for those suffering from extreme
poverty. The programmes under this Act, for which
more than 2 crore families have already registered,
currently cover 200 districts and will be expanded
gradually to cover the entire country. This
pathbreaking Act is the most important social safety
net for our poor. I am confident that this Act will
help us in eradicating poverty.
14. Bharat Nirman is
another programme which will modernize our villages.
As our villages get fully electrified and get
connected by roads and telephones, their economies
will prosper. As they get better irrigation
facilities, their agriculture will grow. As drinking
water and housing facilities improve, their living
conditions will improve. They will participate in
the growth which is already visible in urban India.
I am happy that progress in the first year of Bharat
Nirman has been good and by 2009, I expect to see
visible results across the country.
15. These programmes are
our weapons in the “War on Poverty”. The most
effective weapon against poverty is employment. And,
higher economic growth is the best way to generate
employment. We must create an environment that
encourages business to grow and create more
employment, especially in the manufacturing sector.
We have created a conducive environment for our
industrial enterprises to flourish and the results
of this are visible. We are supporting not just
large industries, but also the labour intensive
small scale and handloom sectors through special
programmes. Handlooms and textile industries employ
over 3.5 crore people. We are giving cheaper loans
to this sector and handloom cooperatives are being
revitalised. I am hopeful that in the coming years,
lakhs of jobs will be generated in these sectors.
My dear countrymen
16. Two years ago,
speaking from the Red Fort, I promised a “New Deal
for Rural India”. There is much we have done, but I
know much more needs to be done. We have kept our
word and almost doubled agricultural credit in less
than three years as promised. We are providing short
term loans to farmers at 7%. We have waived interest
on over-due loans for debt-stressed farmers in
Vidarbha and will do the same in other suicide
affected districts. We are trying to reach
institutional credit to each and every farmer so
that they are out of the clutches of moneylenders.
For this, we are reviving the cooperative banking
system for which a Rs 13,000 crore package is being
implemented. We have been paying special attention
to horticulture, animal husbandry, cotton, sugarcane
and other crops. A National Fisheries Development
Board has been set up for increasing the livelihood
of fishermen. Agricultural research is being
improved and Krishi Vigyan Kendras will soon be
functioning in every district of the country by the
year end.
17. However, I admit that
much still needs to be done to improve the prospects
for farmers. Especially in rain-fed areas and for
dry-land agriculture. We will need to work towards
ensuring more remunerative prices for our farmers. I
am aware of the acute distress of our farmers who
bear the burden of heavy debt. We have recently
constituted an expert group to look into the problem
of agricultural indebtedness. I am confident that in
a few months, we will take concrete measures to help
our farmers overcome the burden of crushing debt.
Most importantly, we must ensure that more people
get employment in manufacturing and services so that
the disproportionate burden on agriculture in
providing a livelihood to two-thirds of our
population gets reduced.
18. The results of our
efforts to improve agriculture are clearly visible
in some places. Farmers are getting better prices
for many crops. This helps them earn a better
livelihood. This, on the other hand hurts the common
man when the prices of essential food commodities go
up. We need to understand that if we want better
prices for farmers so that they earn a better
livelihood, the prices of what they produce and sell
will have to go up! We certainly cannot grudge our
farmers better incomes when incomes of other
sections of society are rising! In order to ensure
that the needy and the poor do not get adversely
affected, our government is committed to ensuring
adequate availability of essential commodities at
affordable prices to them.
Brothers and Sisters,
19. I know that each of
our families is concerned about the prices of
essential commodities. Let me assure you that we
will do whatever is required to keep prices under
check. But I must remind you that two years ago the
international price of oil was just over $30 per
barrel. Today it is close to $75. Even though world
oil prices have more than doubled, we have succeeded
in insulating our consumers to a great extent.
Prices of kerosene and LPG have not been raised. But
there is a limit to which we can go on subsidizing
the consumption of petroleum products in the face of
rising import costs. How much more can the
government treasury bear this burden? At some point,
this will affect our ability to spend on other
important development programmes. In order to keep
food prices within the reach of the common man, we
have even allowed the import of some products to
meet the shortage in our markets.
Brothers and sisters,
20. While employment and
agriculture are of immediate concern to all, our
long term concern is for the future of our children.
They need to be healthy, well educated, with hope
for the future. We launched the National Rural
Health Mission to provide better health care in
rural areas. Under this programme, almost 2 lakh
women have been kept as health assistants (ASHAs) at
the village level; 4 lakh more women will be in
place soon. Through them, we will wage a war against
malnutrition of children, against malaria,
tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and other diseases. These
diseases put a heavy financial burden on our people.
In Vidarbha, I was pained to meet families of
farmers who had committed suicide because they could
not repay the loans they had taken to meet the cost
of health care of their loved ones. We will take
every possible step to help people overcome the
burden of poverty and disease.
21. The expanded Sarva
Shiksha Abhiyan will ensure that all our children go
to school. Under the universal Mid-day Meal
Programme, almost 12 crore children are getting a
nutritious meal at school. Through these two
programmes, we will ensure that all our children
complete basic schooling. I request every citizen to
ensure that every child of school-going age is
enrolled in a school. We will pay particular
attention to the empowerment through education of
children belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled
Tribes and Minorities. We will provide all possible
assistance for the all round growth of children
suffering from disabilities or with special needs.
We also will care for those who suffer from
disabilities so that they can lead a dignified life
in society.
22. All the initiatives
that we have taken to push forward rural development
and ensure farmers’ welfare can be implemented only
with the active participation of our panchayats. For
this to happen, our State Governments have to
empower our panchayats. We have to pay more
attention to the quality of local administration –
in our villages and districts, in our towns and
cities. We need to rid our municipalities of the
cancer of corruption. State governments have a major
role to play in this.
Brothers and sisters,
23. Cities and towns are
centers of growth and generators of employment
opportunities. Our cities need to have a new look
for which they need massive investment and renewal.
They need basic amenities like sanitation, drinking
water and proper housing for the poor. They need
public transport, parks and playgrounds. We need
cities in which the working poor can live with
self-respect and dignity; cities in which children
and women feel safe and secure. In order to ensure
that our cities have better infrastructure and that
they have better living conditions, we launched the
Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.
This programme and other similar ones have started
showing results. Work has begun on Metro systems in
Bangalore and Mumbai. I see a glorious decade of
city development ahead of us.
24. The challenge before
Government is to implement these programmes. We have
to improve the way governments function and deliver
public services. How do we do this? How do we ensure
that higher financial outlays translate into better
outcomes? I sincerely hope that the Right to
Information Act enacted by our Government will
empower our people who will be able to use their
rights to make government more accountable. We have
to work hard to eliminate corruption in the delivery
of public services, in fact eliminate it from all
walks of life. We will work to put in place a system
that rewards honesty, probity and efficiency.
Brothers and sisters
25. India has contributed
extensively to human knowledge. Today, we are at the
dawn of a new millennium which many call the
knowledge economy. In this world, knowledge will
determine our progress and the place we occupy in
the world. We must continue to be at the forefront
of new research and new thinking, especially in
science and technology. We must build top-class
institutions. We have begun work on three new Indian
Institutes of Science, Education and Research in
Kolkata, Pune and Punjab. We have also begun work on
19 medical institutions of the same standard as
AIIMS. We will need to ensure far greater
availability of educational opportunities at the
higher education level so that we have not just a
literate youth but a skilled youth, with skills
which can fetch them gainful employment. As our
economy booms and as our industry grows, I hear a
pressing complaint about an imminent shortage of
skilled employees. As a country endowed with huge
human resources, we cannot let this be a constraint.
We are planning to launch a Mission on Vocational
Education so that the skill deficit in our economy
is addressed.
26. As we expand
educational opportunities, we must ensure that these
opportunities are accessible to all marginalized and
weaker sections of our society. Our government is
committed to providing reservation in educational
institutions for students from socially backward
sections of society. We will do so, while at the
same time expanding educational opportunities for
all youth. This is our solemn commitment. In this
manner, we will recognize and reward individual
merit and hard work while working for an inclusive
society.
27. While we are moving
fast to develop every region of our country, we have
to take pains to see that this does not adversely
affect those who are displaced. Nor should it affect
our environment. Nor should any region of the
country get left behind. Our government will soon
put in place a comprehensive Rehabilitation Policy
so that displacement does not lead to impoverishment
and those who lose their land benefit from
subsequent economic development. We have also taken
special measures to save our wildlife, including the
tiger. We are taking concrete steps to develop
backward regions through the Backward Regions Grant
Fund and will be spending Rs 5000 crores annually in
250 districts.
My dear countrymen
28. Our other concern is
national security. India is facing two major threats
to its internal security. Terrorism and Naxalism.
Just over a month ago, Mumbai witnessed the most
inhuman terrorist attack in the recent past, killing
and injuring hundreds of innocent citizens. The
entire nation was pained by this suffering. Mumbai
demonstrated its courage and patience and showed its
resolve not to be cowed down by these incidents.
29. I had said in Mumbai
then that it cannot be business as usual for any of
us. Terrorists want to undermine our growing
economic strength; destroy our unity; and provoke
communal incidents. We cannot allow this to happen.
Our strength lies in our unity. We will not allow
the secular fabric of our country to be broken.
30. I give my assurance
to every citizen that we will do our utmost to
preserve our unity and integrity, to make our
country safe and secure for every citizen. We will
modernize, strengthen and properly equip our
security forces and our intelligence agencies. We
will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that
terrorist elements in India are neutralized and
smashed. Let those who want to hurt us by inflicting
a thousand cuts remember – no one can break our
will, or unity. No one can make India kneel.
31. While terrorism has
been raising its ugly head time and again, we have
also seen peace having its victories. The people of
Jammu and Kashmir continue to face the wrath of
terrorism. But they have also seen new rays of hope
for peace and progress. New links of connectivity
have brought people on both sides of the Line of
Control closer – Srinagar to Muzaffarabad, Poonch to
Rawalkot. Through the Round Table Conferences, we
have started a dialogue with all political groups
and parties of Jammu and Kashmir. We are jointly
exploring new pathways to build a better tomorrow
for its people – a tomorrow where they can live in
peace and dignity, free from fear, want and
exploitation.
32. Today the people of
the North-Eastern region look to the future with
hope. The last two years have seen immense progress
in the North East in all spheres of development –
better roads, better rail connectivity, the first
ever thermal power projects in the region and better
universities. I am hopeful that in the coming few
years, the North-eastern region will gradually catch
up with the rest of the country. However, many
states here are still afflicted by insurgency. There
is a great desire among the people of the region for
peace and tranquility. While we are determined to
tackle insurgency, we are hopeful that the dialogue
that we have initiated with many disaffected groups
will produce a peace dividend. A life of progress
and prosperity with self-respect and dignity is the
right of the people there and we are confident of
providing it.
33. I want those who have
mistakenly taken to Naxalism to understand that in
democratic lndia, power will never flow from the
barrel of a gun. Real power flows from the ballot
box. At the same time, our State Governments must
pay special attention to the welfare of our tribals
and small and marginal farmers. It is their distress
that Naxalites exploit. The path of violence can
never solve the problems of the poor. Our security
forces will respond appropriately to the violence
unleashed by Naxalites.
34. In the past one
month, many parts of the country, particularly
Andhra Pradesh, Surat and Maharashtra, have been
badly affected by floods and there has been
extensive loss of life and property. We will provide
all possible assistance for the relief of these
regions.
Brothers and Sisters,
35. Every Indian wants to
live in a neighbourhood of peace, stability and
prosperity. People in our neighbouring countries
share the same aspirations. South Asia is a common
cultural and economic unit. Our past and destinies
are inter-linked. India, as the largest country in
the region, is ready to give our neighbours a stake
in our own prosperity and share the fruits of our
growth with them. However, the dream of a South
Asian community, where borders have ceased to matter
and there is an unhindered flow of goods and
peoples, culture and ideas, can hardly be realized
if terrorist violence and the politics of hate and
confrontation continue to cast a dark shadow.
36. We are prepared to
work together with all our neighbours to usher in an
era of peace and prosperity for our peoples. We have
taken several initiatives in this regard, in
particular with Pakistan. To be successful, these
initiatives need an atmosphere of peace. It is
obvious that unless Pakistan takes concrete steps to
implement the solemn assurances it has given to
prevent cross-border terrorism against India from
any territory within its control, public opinion in
India, which has supported the peace process, will
be undermined. All countries in our region must
recognize that terrorism anywhere is a threat to
peace and prosperity everywhere. It must be
confronted with our united efforts. There is a large
constituency for peace and shared prosperity among
our people and we must work together to build on
that.
37. In the past two
years, we have succeeded in creating an
international environment which supports our
development aspirations. Our relations with the
United States of America, China, Japan, and the
European Union, have never been better and with
Russia, we have further strengthened our time-tested
partnership. In South-East Asia, India has been
welcomed into the East Asian Summit. There has been
a significant expansion of both our political and
economic links with countries of the Gulf and the
Arab world. The continents of Africa and Latin
America are now the new areas of focus for our
diplomacy and India’s engagement has become truly
global. We are recognized for the scale of our
achievements since Independence and the world wants
India to progress.
My dear countrymen,
38. India is a young
nation. India is a nation of young people. Our youth
are ready to work hard for a bright future. Our
former Prime Minister, Shri Rajiv Gandhi, was
greatly concerned about the prospects for our youth
and took many steps for ensuring a bright future for
them.
39. Even today, the youth
of our country are in search of a bright future.
They seek new opportunities and are in search of new
possibilities. They are willing to think in new
ways. They have no time for old ideas and
ideologies. They want to build a new India. We must
build a new India of their dreams. I want every one
of our youth to walk shoulder to shoulder, and walk
forward with us in building a new India. Every young
person must have faith in our future. To know that
this country will create opportunities for all for
the full expression of their talent and skill.
40. We have a dream of an
India in which every woman can feel safe, secure and
empowered. Where our mothers, sisters and daughters
are assured a life of dignity and personal security.
We must end the crime of female foeticide. We must
eliminate gender disparities. We must see that every
young woman is educated and skilled and capable of
guiding a new generation.
41. The laws of our land
are meant to protect every law abiding citizen. The
rule of law can become a reality only if justice is
seen to be delivered. Only if the rights of
law-abiding citizens are protected. We need a more
efficient, humane and responsive police force. We
also need a more efficient and effective judiciary.
Our government will work to make this possible.
42. Today, from this
historic Red Fort, I appeal to every one of you to
re-dedicate yourself to build a new India.
- An India that is united
in thought, not divided by religion and language.
- An India that is united
in our Indianness, not divided by caste and region.
- An India that is united
in seeking new opportunities for growth, not divided
by disparities.
- An India that is caring
and inclusive.
43. Our religions may be
different. Our castes may be different. Our
languages may be different. But we are all Indians.
In our progress lies the progress of the nation. Our
fortunes and our nation’s fortunes are intertwined.
And working together, we can make this fortune a
glorious one.
44. If we have to fulfil
our potential, we need a politics that will help us
realize it. We need a politics that will propel us
forward. We need a politics that will guide us to
new frontiers, take us to new horizons. I urge all
our political leaders to think deeply about the
future of our country. We must shun the politics of
divisiveness and adopt the politics of change and
progress. Our political parties and leaders must
learn to work together. To build a consensus around
national issues. If we are able to do so, then I am
confident that then we will soon be able to realize
the golden future which millions of our countrymen
are eagerly waiting for.
45. Let us all join
together, hand in hand, to build a new India.
Jai Hind.
Jai Hind.
Jai Hind.
New Delhi,
Aug 15, 2006 |
