India has to march ahead with new pledges for the next 25 years: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday laid out a development roadmap for the country for the next 25 years, aiming to bridge the gaps between villages and cities, reduce government interference in people’s lives and emerge as a leading nation in the world.

Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort to celebrate 75th Independence Day, Modi also announced a Rs 100 lakh crore infrastructure development action plan ‘Gati Shakti’, National Hydrogen Mission to make India energy independent.

The Prime Minister hoisted the national flag and at the outset paid homage to all the leaders who fought for Independence – Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel and B R Amedkar and countless others who showed the path to the future.

Read more: Heavy security cover in Delhi on Independence Day

“There comes a time in the development journey of every nation when it redefines itself and moves ahead with new resolutions. In the development journey of India, that time has come today,” the prime minister said addressing a gathering that comprised corona warriors and India’s Olympics squad.

Modi made a strong pitch for a “100% India” to fully utilise the country’s capabilities to take it to new heights in the 21st century and urged everyone to contribute towards achieving the goals.

“Now we have to move towards making 100% efforts. We have to make sure that 100% of villages have roads, 100% of households have a bank account, 100% of beneficiaries should have Ayushman Bharat cards and 100% of eligible people should have a gas connection under the Ujjwala scheme,” he said in his 90-minute speech.

Modi said the next 25 years were 'Amrut Kaal' (auspicious period) for India and its citizens and it would be the priority of the government to ensure that essential services reach the last person seamlessly.

“The purpose of Amrut Kaal is to better the lives of citizens, lessen the development divide between villages and cities, reduce government interference in people's lives, and have the latest technology so that we are not behind any country in the world,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister dwelt on a range of issues, including India’s deprived poor, its farmers and the pain of Partition and the challenges of terrorism and expansionism.

By conducting surgical and air strikes, the country had sent out the message of a 'New India', he said.

“This shows India is changing and can take difficult decisions,” Modi said.

“Today, the world views India with a new perspective. There are two important perspectives to it. One is terrorism and another is expansionism. India is fighting these two challenges and responding to them astutely and with courage,” Modi said without naming China and Pakistan.