India @75: PM Modi gives clarion call to make India 'Viksit Bharat'
A ceremonial 21-gun salute was given by indigenously developed howitzer gun ATAGS
By Newsmeter Network Published on 15 Aug 2022 6:13 AM GMT
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today gave a clarion call for making India a 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India) and removing any vestiges of colonialism. Prime Minister was addressing the nation for the 9th time from the ramparts of Red Fort.
A ceremonial 21-gun salute was given by indigenously developed howitzer gun ATAGS. Later choppers showered flower petals to mark the independence day. "We must work towards a 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India) and remove any vestiges of colonialism from any corner or in our hearts. In this Amrit Kaal we have to come together and work towards another big goal of a Viksit Bharat," he said.
Modi said they shall have to focus on 'Panchpran' (5 pledges)." First: to move forward with bigger resolutions and resolve of developed India; second: to erase all traces of servitude; third: be proud of our legacy; fourth: the strength of unity; and fifth: the duties of citizens that also includes the PM and CMs," he said.
Prime Minister stressed the need to respect women, dalits, and adivasis. Indians must carry out their duties to ensure that India is a developed nation in the next 25 years. Dressed in a traditional tri-colored motif safa with a long trail, PM Modi recalled the architects of free India who contributed significantly to the freedom struggle.
"The country is grateful to Mahatma Gandhi, Bhagat Singh, Mangal Pandey, Tatya Tope, Sukhdev, Rajguru, Chandrashekar Azad, Ashfaqulla Khan, Ram Prasad Bismil, Rajguru Ramprasad Bismil, Rani Laxmi Bai, Subash Chandra Bose and other innumerable revolutionaries who shook the foundations of British Empire," he said.
Prime Minister also saluted the architects of free India Jawaharlal Nehru, Ram Manohar Lohia and Sardar Vallabhai Patel, and others. Modi said India has been home to great thinkers like Vivekanand, Aurobindo, and Rabindranath Tagore. "Our heroes like Rajendra Prasad, Jawaharlal Nehru, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Lal Bahadur Shastri fought for our independence and molded our country," he said.
PM Modi also recalled the contributions of the women freedom fighters Rani Laxmibai, Jhalkari Bai, Chennamma, and Begum Hazrat Maha. "When the dreams are big, hard work is important. It needs to be inspired by the pledge and the determination of freedom fighters who dreamt of a free India," PM added.
In his 83-minute speech, he called for gender equality, women empowerment, and the spirit to fight health emergencies.
