Independence Day LIVE | Hosting 2036 Olympics is India's dream, preparations on: Modi
In his Independence Day speech, Modi said 75,000 more medical seats will be created in the country
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (August 15) said a "secular civil code" is the need of the hour as the existing set of laws as "communal civil code" and discriminatory.
In his Independence Day address from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Modi said, "A large section of the country believes, which is true also, that the civil code is actually in a way is a communal civil code. It discriminates (among people)." He said laws which divide the country on communal lines and become a reason for inequality have no place in a modern society.
"I would say, it is the need of the hour that India should have a secular civil code. We have lived 75 years with a communal civil code. Now, we have to move towards a secular civil code. Only then would religion-based discrimination end. It would also end the disconnect the common people feel," he said.
The prime minister noted that the Supreme Court has given various directions in this regard. The spirit of the Constitution also encourages such a code, he said, referring to Article 44 under the Directive Principles of State Policy.
It states that it is the duty of the State to secure for the citizens a Uniform Civil Code throughout the territory of India.
"It is our responsibility to fulfil the dream of the makers of our Constitution. I believe there should be a serious discussion on the subject," he said.
In the next five years, 75,000 more medical seats will be created in the country, Modi said.
"Around 25,000 youths every year go abroad for medical education and they go to such countries, I get surprised when I hear about them. So we have decided, 75,000 new seats will be created in the medical line in the next five years," the prime minister said.
'Need to stop atrocities on women'
In a veiled attack on the TMC government in West Bengal, Modi said there is a need to stop atrocities against women in the country. His remarks come amid a nationwide outrage over the rape and murder of a woman postgraduate trainee doctor in Kolkata on August 9. He said, “I would like to express my pain once again, from the Red Fort today. As a society, we will have to think seriously about the atrocities against women that are happening.”
"There is public outrage over atrocities against our mothers and sisters. I feel this outrage. The country, the society, our state governments need to take this seriously. Crimes against women must be probed as soon as possible, those involved in demonic acts must face strict punishment at the earliest, this is necessary to create faith in society," the Prime Minister said, apparently referring to the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
He said that when incidents of violence against women take place, there is a lot of discussion in the media. "But when such perverted people get punishment, it is not seen prominently in news. Time demands that there is widespread discussion on punishments too so that criminals are scared. It is important to create this fear," he added.
'Reforms meant to take country forward'
The prime minister asserted that India's 140 crore citizens can achieve the goal of a prosperous and developed country if they walk shoulder to shoulder with united resolve.
He said his government has worked to break the mindset of living with status quo by rolling out big reforms aimed at changing the lives of the middle class and the poor.
He said previous governments had a "chalta hai" (lackadaisical) approach to reforms and development. "There was an environment of status quo. We had to break that mindset. The common man wanted change, but his dreams were not appreciated and he kept waiting for reforms. We implemented big reforms, for the poor, the middle class, deprived sections of the society and youth," he added.
The commitment to reforms is the blueprint for growth and is not borne of any political compulsion but the dedication to nation first. In this context, Modi noted the growth strength of the banking sector, which he added has powered the progress in every sector. In his address on the country's 78th Independence Day, Modi said it is a day to pay tribute to the countless people who made sacrifices and struggled for the country's freedom. "The country is indebted to them," he said. The surge in cases of such disasters is a matter of concern, he added.
Modi also paid condolences to families who lost their loved ones in recent national disasters.
His first Independence Day address of his third term takes him past Manmohan Singh, who unfurled the tricolour 10 times from the ramparts of Red Fort during 2004-2014, and places him behind Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, who did the honours 17 and 16 times respectively.
Before reaching Red Fort, he paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial.
Modi said 140 crore citizens of India can achieve the goal of a prosperous and developed India if they walk shoulder to shoulder with united resolve. There may be challenges and shortages of resources but people united in their goal can overcome them to achieve their target, he added.
Expresses firm resolve for 'Viksit Bharat'
Speaking of his goal for 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047, he said people from all corners of the country and communities have offered suggestions for the agenda. He recounted many of these ideas-- including reform in justice system, campaign for capacity building, developing India's traditional systems of medicine.
He cited his government's success in taking electricity to unelectrified areas, piped water to crores of homes, expanding 'vocal for local' programme and boosting renewable energy to assert that it has infused a new confidence and consciousness among people.
The nation feels proud when the world wants to learn from its achievements in the fintech sector, Modi said.
(With agency inputs)
Live Updates
- 15 Aug 2024 5:07 AM GMT
It's India's dream to host 2036 Olympics, preparations are on: PM Narendra Modi
Asserting that India has the ability to stage large-scale global events, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the country is leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to host the Olympics in 2036.
Along with India, several other nations such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey are positioning themselves as strong contenders to host the sporting spectacle. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is expected to decide the host only next year after holding its elections.
"It is the dream of India to host the 2036 Olympics, we are making preparations for that," Modi said in his address to the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort on the 78th Independence Day.
The Prime Minister said India's successful hosting of the G20 Summit last September in New Delhi and other cities showcased the existing infrastructure in the nation.
"India organising the G20 Summit on a large scale has proven that India has the capability to organise large-scale events," he said.
India's audacious plan has been backed by current IOC head Thomas Bach. The last time India hosted an international multi-sport extravaganza was the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
For the 2036 Olympics, Ahmedabad is being seen as a front-runner to be the host city.
PM lauds Paris Olympics performance ======================== Modi also congratulated Indian athletes for their fine effort in the just-concluded Paris Olympics where the country managed six medals, including a silver and five bronze medals through athletics, shooting, hockey and wrestling.
"Today, we also have with us the youth who made the Indian flag fly high in the Olympics. On behalf of 140 crore countrymen, I congratulate all our athletes and players" he said.
Many top athletes were in attendance during his speech, including pistol shooter Manu Bhaker, who won two bronze medals in Paris, and members of the Indian hockey team, including star goalkeeper P R Sreejesh, who retired at the end of the side's bronze-winning performance.
The PM also extended his wishes to the Indian contingent that will take part in the Paralympics from August 28 to September 8 in Paris.
"In the next few days, a huge Indian contingent will leave for Paris to participate in the Paralympics. I extend best wishes to all our Paralympians," he added.
In the Tokyo Paralympics, India had won 19 medals – five gold, eight silver and six bronze. This time, the nation will be represented by 84 para-athletes in the Games.
- 15 Aug 2024 4:54 AM GMT
PM Modi make fresh pitch for 'one nation, one election'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday made a strong pitch for 'one nation, one election' and urged political parties to come forward to realise the dream while contending that frequent polls were creating hurdles in the nation's progress.
Addressing the nation on the 78th Independence Day, he said extensive consultations have been held across the country on the issue and all political parties have given their views while a committee has submitted an excellent report.
"Frequent elections are creating hurdles in the progress of the nation. It has become easy to link any scheme/initiative with elections. There are elections somewhere every three to six months. Every work is linked to elections," Modi said from the ramparts of the Red Fort.
"The nation has to come forward for one nation, one election," he said.
The prime minister urged political parties "from the Red Fort and with the national tricolour as a witness to ensure the nation's progress".
He also asked the parties to ensure that "national resources are used for the common man. We have to come forward to realise the dream of one nation one election".
'One nation, one election' is one of the key promises made by the BJP in its manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections.
- 15 Aug 2024 3:50 AM GMT
India only G20 nation to achieve climate targets under Paris Agreement ahead of schedule: PM
India is the only country among G20 nations to have achieved its climate targets under the 2015 Paris Agreement ahead of schedule, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday.
Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 78th Independence Day, he said India's efforts to tackle the global issue of climate change have "reassured and surprised" the world.
"I want to tell the world about the strength of my country's people. My country and its people have accomplished what other G20 nations have not.
"We have met the climate targets set under the Paris Agreement ahead of schedule. India is the only nation among the G20 countries to do so, and we are proud of it," the prime minister said.
As part of its national climate plan, or Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, India has committed to achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based electricity installed capacity by 2030.
The prime minister expressed his confidence that India will meet this target.
"This is important for humanity and will serve as a guarantee of a bright future for our children," he said.
At present, the country has a power generation capacity of 446 gigawatts (GW), including around 195 GW from non-fossil energy sources.
- 15 Aug 2024 3:49 AM GMT
Govt will build such an education system so that youngsters need not go abroad:PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said his government wants to build such an education system in the country so that youngsters need not have to go abroad for studies.
Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 78th Independence Day, Modi also said the government wants more foreign students to come to India and study.
"We want to build such an education system in India that youngsters do not need to go abroad to study. In fact we would want foreign students to come here and study," he said.
The prime minister also announced that an additional 75,000 medical seats will be created in the next five years.
"Even today, children, mostly belonging to the middle class, are going abroad for medical education. They spend lakhs and crores on medical education abroad. Around 25,000 youths every year go abroad for medical education and they go to such countries, I get surprised when I hear about them.
"So we have decided, 75,000 new seats will be created in the medical line in the next five years," Modi added.
- 15 Aug 2024 3:23 AM GMT
PM Modi urges states to make clear policies to attract investors
PM Modi says, "Today, many big companies and investors of the world want to invest in India. This is a golden opportunity. I urge the State governments to make clear policies to attract investors and give assurance of good governance and law and order situation to them. There should be competition between States to attract maximum investors. Their policies should changed or molded as per global requirements..."
