'We can create prosperous India through commitment to live for India'; PM's Independence Day speech focuses on development 

Ours is a country that is facing dire situations even after decades of independence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a speech on the 78th Independence Day at the Red Fort in which he openly proposed solutions and hoped that they would be implemented step by step so that India would make great progress in the future.

Prime Minister reminded that today is the time for the youth to commit to live for the country reminding that we got freedom as a result of people's commitment to die for the country. He pointed out that if the commitment to die for the country gives us freedom, we can create a prosperous India through the commitment to live for the country.

"The first thing that needs to change is our attitude of 'chalta hai'. We do not believe or participate in actuating the change. We do not challenge the status quo and do nothing new thinking that it will create more problems. There was an environment of status Quo, to make do with what is available, people believed that nothing is going to happen. We had to break this mentality; we had to fill ourselves with confidence, and we made efforts in that direction. The ordinary citizens of the country were waiting for change, they desired change, they were eager for it. We were given the responsibility and we implemented significant reforms. Our commitment to reforms is not for a few days of applause. Our process of reforms is not driven by compulsion but by the intention to strengthen the nation." The Prime Minister highlighted that the path of our reforms has become a blueprint for growth and not because of political pressure.

In terms of reforms, he cited the banking sector as an example. “There was no development or expansion in the banking sector. Not only that, the kind of activities that were going on led our banks into crises. We implemented multiple reforms to strengthen the banking sector. And today, as a result, our banks have secured their place among the selected strong banks in the world. And when banks become strong, the power of the formal economy is also strengthened. When a banking system is established, it becomes the greatest strength to meet the needs of the common poor, especially middle-class families. Whether it's a home loan, a vehicle loan, a loan for my farmer to buy a tractor, a loan for my youth to start a start-up, a loan for education for the youth, or a loan to go abroad—these are all made possible through banks. I am happy that even my cattle rearers and my brothers and sisters involved in fisheries are benefiting from banks today."

One of the most important points highlighted in the Prime Minister's speech was about the concept of 'My Bharat'. "My Bharat" has several missions. One of the missions is to bring one lakh young people into political life as representatives as soon as possible. Initially, we want to bring forward one lakh young people whose families have no political background. We want new young people with no previous political history in their families to enter politics so that we can be freed from casteism and dynastic politics thereby enriching democracy. It is not necessary that they join a particular party; they should join whichever party they prefer and become representatives. The country should decide that if one lakh such young people whose families are far removed from politics enter the system in the near future, it will lead to new thinking and new capabilities while also enriching democracy. Therefore, we need to move in this direction," the Prime Minister appealed to the youth.

The Prime Minister also emphasized the benefit of synchronized elections. "Today, it has become easy to link any scheme with elections, because elections are happening somewhere in the country every three or six months. Whenever you announce any scheme, you see in the media that it is linked to elections. Every scheme is coloured by the hue of elections. Hence, the country needs to come forward to embrace the concept of "One Nation One Election". From the ramparts of the Red Fort with the Tricolor as witness, I urge the political parties and those who understand the Constitution of the country, to come forward to make the dream of "One Nation One Election" a reality for the progress of Bharat and the maximum utilization of its resources for the common people."

The Prime Minister also said that extensive discussions should be held for a uniform civil code in the country. It is our collective responsibility to realize the vision of our constitutional architects. Laws that divide the country on the basis of religion and foster discrimination have no place in modern society. So it is time for the country to move towards a secular civil code," he pointed out.
The Prime Minister reminded us that countless new employment opportunities, which had eluded us for so many years after independence, are now at their doorstep. "The youth of my country no longer wish to move slowly. They do not believe in incremental progress. Instead, they are in the mood to take leaps, to achieve new milestones by making bold strides. I would like to say that this is a Golden Era for Bharat. Compared to global conditions also this is indeed our golden period," the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister also mentioned about the natural calamities that worry us. This year as well as for a few years in the past, natural disasters are becoming a huge cause of concern for us. Many people have lost their family and property, the nation has also incurred huge losses several times. Today I express my deepest condolences to all of them and assure that the nation stands with them in this hour of crisis," he promised.
The Prime Minister said that Viksit Bharat-2047 not just a phrase for speeches. "There is hard work going behind it. Suggestions are being taken from many people across the country and we have sought suggestions from the citizens. I am pleased that crores of citizens have given countless suggestions for a Viksit Bharat 2047. Some people proposed making Bharat the skill capital of the world. For a Viksit Bharat 2047, some suggested transforming the country into a global manufacturing hub. Some suggested that our universities should achieve global status. Some suggested that Bharat should become self-reliant in every aspect of life as soon as possible. The essence of the Prime Minister's speech is that we the people should stand together across the lines of nationality, language, religion and politics to realize the dream of Viksit Bharat by 2047. The future of the country is also the future of each of us and the future generations.