PM Narendra Modi asked citizens to take a pledge to contribute to create a "New India"
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday invoked the Quit India Movement ahead of the 70th Independence Day and urged people to use the same spirit to expel the problems of communalism, casteism, corruption, terrorism, poverty and filth from India by 2022. He asked citizens to take a pledge to contribute to create a "New India".
In his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat', the PM spoke about the movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi on August 9, 1942 and subsequent developments that resulted in the British leaving India and the country getting Independence on August 15, 1947.
"Just like five years between 1942 and 1947 became decisive, I can see another five-year period from 2017 to 2022 for us to end the problems of our nation," he said.
"We must make 2017 our Year of Resolve. We have to come together to resolve: Filth — Quit India; Poverty — Quit India; Corruption — Quit India; Terrorism — Quit India; Casteism — Quit India; Communalism — Quit India," Modi said.
PM Modi said Gandhi had given a "do or die" call, but it was time to live by and strive for this resolve (and) launch a mega campaign 'Sankalp se Siddhi: Attainment through Resolve' from August 9 — the 75th anniversary of the "Quit India" movement.
"It is 70 years since we got Independence. Governments came and went, systems emerged and developed. Everyone contributed in their own way to end problems, raise employment, remove poverty and make the country progress. Successes were achieved but the expectations were also raised," the PM said.
"If 125 crore people, remembering August 9, 1942, make a pledge on August 15 to contribute something as an individual, as a citizen, as a family person, as a person from a city or a village, as a member of a government department, there will be crores of pledges," PM Modi said.
He exhorted the citizens to use all kinds of fora to undertake this task, including through the online mode. The PM also sought ideas from the public, which could be incorporated in his Independence Day speech that he will deliver from the ramparts of the Red Fort.
He also referred to the upcoming season of festivals like Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi and Diwali and urged the people to use the items made by the poor people of the country as it relates to their economic empowerment. "Our festivals are not only for celebrations. Our festivals are also an instrument of societal improvement. Also, it has direct relation to the economic condition of the poor people," PM Modi said.
The PM also hailed the GST, launched on the midnight of June 30, as "more than just a tax reform" and said it would usher "in a new culture of honesty".
Modi also spoke about Indian women's cricket team for reaching the final of the World Cup, saying "our daughters are bringing laurels to the country in all the fields — be it education, economic activities, social spheres or in sports".
The PM said he has heard about "complaints" that his previous Independence Day addresses were long and that he will try to keep it short this time. "I will try to finish it in 40-45-50 minutes. I have tried to make a rule for myself. I don't know whether I will be able to do it or not," he said. The PM also hailed GST as "more than just a tax reform" and said it would usher "in a new culture of honesty". Modi also spoke about Indian women's cricket team for reaching the finals of the World Cup.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Prime Minister Narendra Modi")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}