PM's I-Day address lays thrust on agriculture, education

NEW DELHI: Pursuing his vision of speedy economic growth and development, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday announced several new initiatives in agriculture, education and social sectors with an affirmation that the "best is yet to come".

Noting that the world wanted India to do well, he said "our challenges lie at home" and asked political and social leaders not to divide people along "narrow, sectarian lines" as "we fritter away our time on petty issues and pointless personal differences".

Addressing the nation from the ramparts of historic Red Fort on the 61st Independence Day, he announced an investment of Rs 25,000 crore in agriculture and setting up of a number of educational institutes, including elite IITs, IIMs and Indian Institutes of Science.

Laying emphasis on industrialisation, he said it was "critical for progress" and the government would pursue policies to promote it.
   
At the same time, he talked about plans to introduce a national policy for rehabilitation of people displaced by major projects.
   
To promote social security in unorganised sector, he unveiled an old age pension scheme for senior citizens above 65 years and living below poverty line. Besides, there would be a new health insurance scheme for the poor, he said.

During 40-minute address, the Prime Minister spoke about India's desire to have good relations with neighbours and rest of the world but remained silent on the Indo-US civil nuclear deal that has generated much heat over the last few days.

Singh, whose government has completed three years, said he had a "sense of satisfaction" of having done well on many fronts and "we are undoubtedly moving forward in the right direction."

The Prime Minister, however, acknowledged that "we have been slow in taking some steps."

"We have dithered at times and stumbled some times. We have had success on some fronts and setbacks on some others. But, there is no doubt that we have been steadfast in our resolve, firm in our convictions and resolute in our commitment to the welfare of the common man," he said in his fourth consecutive Independence Day address.

"Yet, we are aware that there is much more to be done," he said while assuring that "the best is yet to come". The country needed a decade of sustained growth to realise "our dreams", he said.

In the backdrop of the OBC quota controversy, Singh emphasised that it was time for a revolution in modern education.

As a major step in this direction, he announced that 6,000 new good quality government-funded schools would be opened and that universalisation of secondary education was on the anvil.

The Centre would also help states to set up colleges in 370 districts and also open 30 new central universities, he said.

Five new Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research, eight new Indian Institutes of Technology, seven new Indian Institutes of Management and 20 new Indian Institutes of Information Technology were being set up.

Addressing the gathering which included Congress President Sonia Gandhi, several Union ministers, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha L K Advani and members of diplomatic corps, the Prime Minister said over the last three years, he had outlined the vision of a caring India.

Singh said he saluted soldiers and brave citizens who sacrificed their lives for unity, integrity and progress of the country.

Reaffirming government's commitment to the economic, social, political and educational empowerment of SCs, STs,  OBCs and minorities, Singh said he was happy that the private sector has been persuaded to "some extent" for taking affirmative action to provide a "fair share" of employment in industry and trade.

Seeking to instill a sense of security in the minds of tribals, he said his government has ensured that they got rights over land they cultivated for generations in forest areas.
  
To ensure that minorities were not left out of development programmes, he said the Prime Minister's 15-point programme has been designed in such a way that they have the necessary resources to transform their lives.

Describing malnutrition as a matter of "national shame", he said the government has tried to address it by making the mid-day meal universal.
   
"We need the active involvement of the community and panchayats to see that what we spend reaches our children", he said appealing to the nation to resolve and work hard to eradicate malnutrition within five years.
   
Lashing out at those who profess hatred and extremism, spread the virus of communalism and believed in violence and terrorism, Singh said all must fight these "anti-democratic, anti-social and anti-national forces."

"Let there be no doubt in anyone's mind that the government is firm in its resolve to fight all forms of extremism and terrorism," he said.

Referring to the less developed regions in the country, the Prime Minister said the Backward Regions Grant Fund was in operation in 250 districts to help them catch up with other parts of the country.

Describing water as a "national asset", he urged the states to resolve inter-state disputes over water sharing with an "attitude of give and take".

On foreign policy, Singh said India enjoys good relations with all major powers and all developing countries and has emerged as a bridge between many extremes of the world.

He said India wants to live in a neigbourhood of peace and prosperity. "I assure all our neighbours that we in India want peace and the best of relations with all of them. I sincerely believe that in the prosperity and well-being of our neighbours lies the key to our own security and progress."
   
Referring to Jammu and Kashmir as also northeastern region, Singh said the Centre was making investments to usher in greater prosperity in these areas.

Expressing concern over global warming, Singh said people must be economical in consumption of fuels and energy and wanted young people to actively associate themselves with a "National Campaign for Cleanliness".