Context:
In the 78th Independence Day speech, the Prime Minister presented a visionary agenda for India’s future.
Key Highlight of the Speech:
The Prime Minister outlined a set of forward-looking goals focused on shaping India’s growth, fostering innovation, and establishing the country as a global leader in various sectors including:
- Ease of Living Mission: Enhancing urban quality of life through improved infrastructure and services.
- Revival of Nalanda Spirit: Establishing India as a global education hub with a focus on higher learning and research.
- Made in India semiconductor Chips production: Aiming to lead in semiconductor production and reduce import dependency.
- Skill India: Training youth to make India the global skill capital.
78th Independence Day 2024
- Theme: “Viksit Bharat” or “Developed India”
- India gained independence from British colonial rule on August 15, 1947, after 200 years of subjugation.
- This historic event has been celebrated annually as Independence Day ever since.
- The first anniversary of independence was marked on August 15, 1948.
- The most iconic symbol of the day is the hoisting of the Indian national flag, the Tricolour, at the Red Fort in Delhi by the Prime Minister.
- Manufacturing Hub: Transforming India into a major global manufacturing center.
- “Design in India, Design for the World”: Promoting indigenous design for both domestic and global markets.
- Gaming Market Leadership: Leveraging India’s heritage to excel in the global gaming industry.
- Green Jobs and Hydrogen Mission: Fostering green growth and sustainable employment, with a focus on green hydrogen.
- Swasth Bharat Mission: Advancing health with initiatives like Rashtriya Poshan Abhiyan.
- State-level investment Competition: Encouraging states to attract investments through clear policies and good governance.
- Global Standards: Aspiring to set international benchmarks in quality.
- Climate Goals: Achieving 500 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030 and meeting Paris Accord targets.
- Medical Education Expansion: Plans to add 75,000 new medical seats in the next five years, aiming to enhance the country’s medical education capacity and address the growing demand for healthcare professionals
- Inducting Political Fresh Blood in Politics: Introducing 100,000 new, politically inexperienced youth into the political system to combat nepotism and casteism.
Additional Focus Areas of the speech:
- Uniform Civil Code: Called for a national discussion on implementing a Uniform Civil Code, stressing the need to eliminate discriminatory laws and adopt a secular approach
- One Nation, One Election: Urged support for the “One Nation, One Election” initiative, highlighting the drawbacks of frequent elections and calling for a unified approach to streamline the electoral process.
- Space Sector and Startups: Emphasized the growing importance of the space sector, noting reforms and increased startup involvement, with a focus on strengthening this field for India’s long-term progress.
- Viksit Bharat 2047: The Prime Minister shared public suggestions for ‘Viksit Bharat 2047,’ focusing on transforming India into a manufacturing hub, improving seed capital, reforming governance, expediting justice delivery, and promoting traditional medicines.