Leading the nation into the 75th year of Independence from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the time had come to redefine India and called for “sabka prayas” to take the country to greater heights.
Setting national goals for the centenary of Independence in 2047, a 25 year period he called “amrit kaal”, the Prime Minister in a 90-minute address said, “This is the time, the right time, precious time for India. Let’s seize it.”
Noting that he was no fortune teller but a firm believer in the fruits of labour, the Prime Minister hailed the current generation as a “Can do generation”, saying, “This generation can do anything, achieve anything. I have full faith in the potential of our youth, our daughters, our farmers, our professionals…For the next 25 years we have to make pledges and touch the pinnacle of diligence and persistence to realise them. This is the time to dream new dreams and I can state with confidence that whoever unfurls the Tricolour in 2047 will announce the realisation of the promises we make today,” said the Prime Minister, in the presence of the Indian Olympic contingent, invited to I-Day celebrations as special guests.
Adding the phrase “sabka prayas” to the government’s “sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas” pledge, the Prime Minister said, “Now we have to move towards the saturation of all welfare goals — 100 pc villages must have roads, 100 pc households must have bank accounts, 100 pc women must have Ujjawla benefits.”
Calling for next generation infrastructure, world-class manufacturing and new age technology as the pillars for India’s future, the PM announced two major initiatives that are in the works—PM Master Plan and National Hydrogen Mission.
“In the near future, India will launch the Rs 100 lakh-crore PM Gatishakti Master Plan. We have to enhance our manufacturing and exports. Few days ago, the first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant was launched for sea trials,” said the Prime Minister, emphasising green energy, for which, he said plans were afoot for a National Hydrogen Mission to ensure India’s energy independence by 2047.
Delineating his vision for India@2047, the Prime Minister urged manufacturers to pay attention to the quality of their products saying every item they export is India’s brand ambassador.
The over Rs 100 lakh crore Gatishakti initiative will “bring employment opportunities for youth and help in holistic infrastructure growth”, he said.
Modi said Gatishakti will help local manufacturers turn globally competitive and also develop possibilities of new future economic zones.