The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today addressed the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on 70th Independence Day.

Shri Narendra Modi paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, and countless people, who sacrificed their lives so that Swarajya could be attained.

He said that 125 crore Indians have now resolved to complete the journey from Swarajya to “Suraj.” He said the achievement of Suraj will require sacrifice, hard work, discipline, dedication and courage, and added that every institution from Panchayat to Parliament must work unitedly towards this goal.

The Prime Minister said that there was a time when allegations engulfed the Government. He said that this Government, instead, is surrounded by expectations. He said that when hope gives rise to expectations, it gives us energy to move faster towards Suraj.

The Prime Minister said that he wishes to focus not on the work done by the Government, but on its work-culture.

The Prime Minister defined various attributes of Suraj, such as Sensitivity, Responsibility, Accountability, Transparency, Efficiency and Good Governance. He illustrated each of these attributes through examples of the working of the Union Government, in areas such as online registration in major hospitals, promptness of income tax refunds, speeding up the process of passport delivery, faster company registrations, and ending interviews for Group C and Group D positions in the Government.

The Prime Minister mentioned how the speed of delivery in vital areas of governance had increased. In this context, he gave examples such as rural roads construction, renewable energy generation capacity, laying of transmission lines, and cooking gas connections.

The Prime Minister spoke of the scale on which work had been accomplished in certain areas, such as opening of 21 crore bank accounts under the Jan Dhan Yojana, construction of 2 crore toilets in rural areas, and electrification of 10,000 unelectrified villages in a short span of time.

On the subject of LED bulbs, the Prime Minister mentioned that their price had been brought down substantially to make them more accessible to the common man. He said that the widespread use of LED bulbs would result in huge saving of electricity.

The Prime Minister appreciated the farmers for ensuring sufficient foodgrain production despite two successive droughts. He said that the area under pulses cultivation has increased substantially this year. He explained the integrated approach that the Government has taken towards the agriculture sector, which includes focus on soil health cards, irrigation, solar pumps, seeds, fertilizers, and crop insurance.

Shri Narendra Modi said the focus of the Government has been to build a national identity. He said the Government aims to Reform; Perform; Transform. He said the the Government is more attentive to substance, rather than symbolism; integrated development rather than isolated development; and empowerment rather than entitlement.

The Prime Minister explained how his Government has been working to complete stalled or long pending projects, and is shortening the time required for project approvals in important sectors.

Giving illustrations of effective delivery, the Prime Minister mentioned clearance of sugarcane arrears, new LPG connections, and PSUs such as Air India and BSNL reporting operational profits. Mentioning the emphasis on transparency, the Prime Minister said subsidies are being better targeted to those that need them. He said international rating agencies have acknowledged the progress in key areas of governance.

The Prime Minister said the Government has taken a holistic, integrated approach towards welfare of women, which includes elements such as Beti-Bachao, Beti Padhao, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, and Ujjwala Yojana, to ensure the physical, educational and financial well-being of women. He mentioned several other Government initiatives in this regard.

In a strong message for social cohesion (Samaajik Ekta), the Prime Minister said every Indian must abide by the message of peace, oneness and brotherhood, given by great saints, philosophers and thinkers, such as Ramanujacharya, Mahatma Gandhi, and Babasaheb Ambedkar.

The Prime Minister said that various initiatives and programmes of the Government are all contributing to employment generation for the youth. He said that the Model Shop and Establishment Act will facilitate opening of shops on all days.

The Prime Minister said the Union Government does not hesitate in taking major decisions. In this context, he mentioned grant of One Rank, One Pension, declassification of files related to Netaji, and the Land Boundary Agreement with Bangladesh.

The Prime Minister strongly condemned those who were attempted to glorify terrorists as martyrs. He said the world will appreciate India’s humanitarian approach, and uniform condemnation of all terrorist activities.

The Prime Minister called upon the people to work with a common resolve to take the nation forward.

The Prime Minister announced some new initiatives. He said the pension for freedom fighters would be enhanced from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 30,000 per month. He said the Government would work towards creation of museums and memorials dedicated to the Adivasi freedom fighters across the country. Government would bear expenses upto one lakh rupees for the poor, towards meeting the cost of hospitalization.

Today on this special day, I convey my greetings to 125 crore Indians & the Indian community living overseas: PM @narendramodi from Red Fort

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

May this energy guide the nation to scale newer heights of progress in the years to come: PM @narendramodi #IndependenceDayIndia

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

We remember Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel, Pandit Nehru, countless people who sacrificed their lives so that we attained Swarajya: PM

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

वेद से विवेकानंद तक, सुदर्शनधारी मोहन से लेकर चरखाधारी मोहन तक, महाभारत के भीम से लेकर भीमराव तक हमारी एक लंबी विरासत है: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

अब स्वराज्य को सुराज्य में बदलना, ये सवा सौ करोड़ देशवासियों का संकल्प है : PM @narendramodi #IndependenceDayIndia https://t.co/Iy8hu3vQmx

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

सवा सौ करोड़ देशवासियों को सुराज्य के संकल्प को आगे बढ़ाने की अपनी प्रतिबद्धता के साथ आगे बढ़ना होगा: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

Yes, we face several problems. But we are capable to overcome them: PM @narendramodi from the Red Fort https://t.co/Iy8hu3vQmx

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

भारत के पास लाखों समस्याएं हैं, तो सवा सौ करोड़ मस्तिष्क भी हैं, जो उनका समाधान करने की क्षमता रखती हैं: PM @narendramodi from Red Fort

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

अब सरकार आक्षेपों से घिरी हुई नहीं है, अपेक्षाओं से घिरी हुई है : PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

Today, more than Karya, I want to talk about Karya Sanskriti on the Government: PM @narendramodi from the Red Fort #IndependenceDayIndia

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

Surajya, the meaning of this is- a qualitative and positive change in the lives of the citizen of India: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

आज सरकार के सभी बड़े अस्पतालों में ऑनलाईन रजिस्ट्रेशन होते हैं और पूरा मेडिकल रिकॉर्ड ऑनलाईन उपलब्ध होता है : PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

शासन संवेदनशील होना चाहिए, शासन उत्तरदायी होना चाहिए: PM @narendramodi #IndependenceDayIndia

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

We want to change the situation where people are scared of income tax authorities, particularly among middle class families: PM

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

पहले पासपोर्ट पाने के लिए अगर सिफारिश नहीं है तो चार-छह महीने यूं ही चले जाते थे। आज हफ्ते-दो हफ्ते में पासपोर्ट पहुंचा दिया जाता है: PM

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

सुराज्य के लिए सुशासन भी जरूरी है। अब ग्रुप सी और ग्रुप डी के 9000 पदों पर इंटरव्यू की प्रक्रिया नहीं होगी। सिफारिश की जरूरत नहीं होगी: PM

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

हमें अपने काम की रफ्तार को तेज करना होगा। गति को और आगे बढ़ाना होगा: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

Renewable energy is a focus area for us: PM @narendramodi #IndependenceDayIndia

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

पहले 30-35 हजार किलोमीटर ट्रांसमिशन लाइन डाली जाती थी। आज इस काम को हमने करीब 50 हजार किलोमीटर तक पहुंचाया है: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

सामान्य व्यक्ति देश की अर्थव्यवस्था की मुख्य धारा का हिस्सा नहीं था। हमने 21 करोड़ लोगों को जनधन से जोड़कर असंभव को संभव किया: PM

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

साढ़े तीन सौ रुपये में बिकने वाले एलईडी बल्व, सरकार के हस्तक्षेप से आज 50 रुपये में बांटे जा रहे हैं: PM @narendramodi #IndependenceDayIndia

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

The Prime Minister is speaking on the issue of price rise. Watch. https://t.co/Iy8hu3vQmx

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

How can we forget the bravery and sacrifice of the Sikh Gurus: PM @narendramodi #IndependenceDayIndia

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

हमने जमीन की सेहत पर ध्यान दिया। हमने स्वाइल हेल्थ कार्ड और जल प्रबंधन पर बल दिया है : PM @narendramodi #IndependenceDayIndia

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

मैंने लोकलुभावन फैसलों से दूर रहने का प्रयास किया है। हमने सरकार की पहचान से ज्यादा हिंदुस्तान की पहचान पर बल दिया: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

साढ़े सात लाख करोड़ रुपये के पिछली सरकारों के प्रोजेक्ट जो रुके हुए थे, मैंने कहा कि इनको पूरा करो: PM @narendramodi #IndependenceDayIndia

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

जब नीति साफ हो, नीयत स्पष्ट हो, तब निर्णय करने का जज्बा भी कुछ और होता है। हमारी सरकार लास्टमैन डिलीवरी पर बल दे रही है: PM

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

हमने आधार को सरकारी योजनाओं से जोड़ा, बिचौलियों को बाहर किया और बचे हुए पैसे जरूरतमंद के खातों तक पहुंचाने का काम किया: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

हम अपने देश में कितनी ही प्रगति करें, लेकिन हमें इसके साथ-साथ हमें अपने देश को वैश्विक मानकों पर खरा उतारना पड़ेगा: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

GST will give strength to our economy and all parties are to be thanked for its passage: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

One nation, one grid and one price- we have worked on this: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

आज जो सामाजिक तनाव देखते हैं, उसमें रामानुजाचार्य का संदेश महत्वपूर्ण है। हमारे सभी महापुरुषों से सामाजिक एकता की बात की: PM

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

सशक्त हिंदुस्तान, सशक्त समाज के बिना नहीं बन सकता और सशक्त समाज का निर्माण होता है, सामाजिक न्याय के आधार पर: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

युवाओं को अवसर मिले, युवाओं को रोजगार मिले, ये हमारे लिए समय की मांग है : PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

काम का दायरा जितना बढ़ेगा, रोजगार की संभावना उतनी बढ़ेंगी। हम इसी दिशा में आगे बढ़ रहे हैं: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

Unity in diversity, this is our strength: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

Violence has no place in our society: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

हिंसा और अत्याचार का हमारे देश में कोई स्थान नहीं है: PM @narendramodi #IndependenceDayIndia

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

जब पेशावर में आतंकवादियों ने निर्दोष बालकों को मौत के घाट उतार दिया गया, तो भारत की आंखों में आंसू थे: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

दूसरी ओर आतंकवाद को ग्लोरीफाई करने का काम होता है: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

सरकार स्वतंत्रता संग्राम में आदिवासियों के योगदान को बताने के लिए देश भर में म्यूजियम बनाएगी: PM @narendramodi #IndependenceDayIndia

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 15, 2016

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