In his last Independence Day address ahead of the next Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today spoke at length about the progress India has made under his government and asserted that its rise is being hailed by the world.
Modi drew a comparison between the situation in 2013 and how things stand today and said if the pace of the UPA government's last year was maintained, it would have taken decades, centuries and generations to build as many toilets, distribute as many LPG connections among the poor and lay down as much optical fibre as his government has done.
The country is brimming with self-confidence today and forging ahead with a new sense of commitment, he said.
"India is moving forward at a new pace," he said.
Modi also spoke about the recent Monsoon Session of Parliament and said it was dedicated to social justice, with measures being taken to protect the interests of Dalits, deprived people, tribals, women and the backwards.
"We have to ensure social justice for all and create an India that is progressing rapidly," he said.
Indians today across the globe are feeling proud as the country has become the sixth largest economy in the world, he said.
While decisions have been held back in the past due political and other compulsions, bold decisions like the GST are being taken now, he said.
"The world was worried earlier about India as it saw the country among the fragile five, now it looks at us with hope," he said.
"The world earlier viewed India as a country hit by policy paralysis, delayed reforms, now it sees it as a multi-trillion dollar investment destination," he said, adding that his government also took the bold measure of announcing the minimum support price for grains at 1.5 times the cost to farmers.
He also expressed his sadness at the plight of people in parts of the country affected by floods.
Here are some of the top quotes from his speech
1) India will not only emerge as a great nation, but will inspire others as well, says PM Modi while quoting Tamil poet Subramaia Bharati.
2) The Constitution of India, given to us by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar has spoken about justice for all. We have to ensure social justice for all and create an India that is progressing rapidly
3) Since 2014, I have been experiencing that the 100 million people of the country do not just stop just after voting for the government; they work towards building the nation
4) We are proud of what we have achieved and at the same time, we also have to look at where we have come from. That is when we will realised the remarkable strides the nation has made
5) If we had continued at the same pace at which toilets were being built in 2013, the pace at which electrification was happening in 2013, then it would have taken us decades to complete them. The pace at which the optical fiber was being distributed to the villages, it would have taken generations to supply all that fibre to all the villages in the country. Same thing can be said about gas connections
6) India was considered among 'fragile five' but today the world is seeing it as a destination of multi-billion dollar investment. The narrative has changed. We have the potential to take tough decisions. We are not partisan. Prior to 2014, global institutions used to say the Indian economy is risky. Today the same institutions and people are saying that reform momentum is giving strength to fundamentals.
7) An Indian astronaut, be it a man or a woman, will go on a space odyssey by 2022 on board 'Gaganyaan' when India celebrates 75th year of Independence. If possible even before, an Indian son or daughter" will undertake a manned space mission on board 'Gaganyaan' "carrying the national flag".
8) The world was worried earlier about India as it saw the country among the fragile five, now it looks at us with hope. he world earlier viewed India as a country hit by policy paralysis, delayed reforms, now it sees it as a multi-trillion dollar investment destination
9) We have to free our society and country from this disgusting mentality of rape. Recently in Madhya Pradesh a rapist was hanged by fast track court. We should spread this news and make people aware. Rule of law is supreme, no one can take law in their hands.
10) The practice of Triple Talaq has caused great injustice to Muslim women. We are striving to end this practice but there are some people who are not wanting it to end. I promise the Muslim women that I will work to ensure justice is done to them.
With PTI Inputs
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 "PM Modi during his speech")
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