G20 podium
NEW DELHI: After unfurling the National flag at Delhi’s historic Red Fort on the Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address said he would return next year and his Government would make India the world’s third largest economy.
“‘Nation First’ is the bedrock of our policies. I gained the strength to pull off reforms after the people formed a government in 2014 and then in 2019,” he said, adding that his Government’s track record of nine years had enhanced the people’s trust.
While highlighting his Government’s achievements, he did not shy away from mentioning the challenges—from Manipur violence to the fast- changing global order. But he was confident of the power of India’s democracy and demographic dividend.
‘I’ll be back’
“The ball is in our court and we should not let go of opportunity. No ifs and buts on anyone’s mind about India’s capabilities. Global experts say that India will not stop now,” PM Modi said.
This year marks the culmination of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav – a Govt initiative to mark 75 years of Independence which started in 2021. PM Modi’s I-Day address was rich in both optics and substance. “It is ‘Modi’s guarantee’ that India will become the third-largest global economy in the next five years. I will give an account of the country’s achievements on next August 15 from Red Fort”, he said.
The Prime Minister’s assertion that the NDA Government’s every moment, every rupee was going towards the welfare of citizens was supported by hard data.
The Government stopped leakages through its direct-benefit schemes and build a strong digital economy. In five years, over 13.5 crore people came out of poverty to become part of the neo-middle, middle classes. From the 10th rank in terms of GDP in 2014, India has become the world’s fifth largest economy. “The world is now watching India’s diversity and capabilities with great enthusiasm,” he said.
In a subtle but significant shift in his approach, PM Modi this time addressed his audience as members of his family, not as “fellow citizens”. This set the tone for description of his political rivals as representatives of dynastic rule, nepotism and corruption.
