New Delhi: In his first Independence Day speech after coming to power for a third term, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced new measures and targets, outlined progress in a number of other areas and laid special emphasis on agriculture, semiconductors and manufacturing.
The prime minister announced a medical education expansion program that will see 75,000 new medical places added over the next five years. Meanwhile, the controversy over the cancellation of medical exams due to a paper leak continues.
It is very important to transform our agricultural system. This is the need of the hour
The initiative aims to improve the country's medical training capacity and respond to the growing demand for healthcare professionals.
Longest speech
In the longest Independence Day speech (98 minutes) by a prime minister, Modi reiterated India's ambitious target of achieving 500 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030. “India is the only country among the G20 nations to have met the Paris Agreement targets,” he announced from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Thursday.
Prime Minister Modi stressed a transformative approach for India’s agriculture sector, focusing on sustainability. He also advocated for natural farming practices by highlighting the government’s commitment to financially support advanced technologies such as drones.
“It is very important to transform our agricultural system. This is the need of the hour,” the prime minister said.
The focus on natural farming is aimed at restoring soil health, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers and creating a more resilient agricultural system.
The Prime Minister also reaffirmed India's commitment to become a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing, with the aim of reducing import dependency and strengthening technological self-reliance. He stressed the importance of the 'Made in India' initiative and emphasised the need to enhance indigenous capabilities in this crucial sector.
Initiatives emphasized
Referring to the Budget 2024, the Prime Minister also highlighted initiatives aimed at skilling the country’s youth, positioning India as the skills capital of the world under the Skill India programme. This, he said, would equip the next generation to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy.
In addition, Prime Minister Modi presented a vision to transform India into a global manufacturing hub by leveraging the country's vast resources and skilled workforce.
Design in India, design for the world
During his I-Day address, he coined a new phrase: “Design in India, Design for the World”, calling on indigenous designers and manufacturers to create products that not only serve the domestic market but also meet international standards, further strengthening India’s position in the global market.
On the political front, the Prime Minister stressed the need for a secular civil code, rather than a communal one, and the need to prioritise a 'one nation, one election' policy as part of the agenda of his third-term government.
He also appealed to bring 100,000 youth into the political system, especially those who do not have a political history in their families. “This initiative is aimed at fighting the ills of nepotism and casteism and bringing new blood into the politics of India,” he said.
Major challenges for the future
Political experts, however, argued that significant challenges lie ahead on this front. They pointed out that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), to which the prime minister belongs, is filled with individuals with strong political backgrounds, and that this trend is set to continue.
“The prime minister's vision is commendable, but its execution will pose a major challenge for his ruling party,” said Shivesh Garg, a political analyst.
Garg said there are many young members in the BJP without any nepotistic connections, “but when it comes to allocating key positions, often those with a political family background are promoted”.
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