Modi does India proud: Takeaways from PM's 70th Independence Day speech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his third August 15 address, greeted the nation on the occasion of the 70th Independence Day by saying: "Today on this special day, I convey my greetings to 125 crore Indians and the Indian community living overseas. May this energy guide the nation to scale newer heights of progress in the years to come."

Here are five major highlights of the nearly one hour 40 minutes speech delivered from the ramparts of Red Fort:

1. Incorporated citizens ideas and suggestions

A novel feature of this year's address was that the PM directly sought ideas and suggestions from the people to formulate his address. The open forum of MyGov as well as Narendra Modi's official website welcomed the applications.

2. From Swarajya to Surajya

He said that moving from Swarajya to Surajya is imperative: "Surajya is a qualitative and positive change in the lives of the citizens of India. It is to make administration sensitive, accountable and dedicated to the common man."

The lion's share of the speech was devoted to an account of what his government has so far delivered on. PM Modi said his focus has not been just on work, but also on changing the work culture.

He emphasised how his government has relentlessly worked on changing the pace of governance.

Also read - 10 top suggestions on Twitter for Modi's August 15 speech (he asked for it)

He claimed that unlike previous governments his government is not surrounded by apprehensions, instead it is empowered by aspirations.

He added that his agenda was to "Reform, Perform, Transform; to ensure nation's image instead of government's image".

3. Strong society for a strong country

PM said, "A strong country cannot be built without a strong society which is based on social justice. A strong country cannot be built without a strong society which is based on social justice."

4. Targeted Pakistan for double standards on terrorism

Without naming any country, Modi lashed out at Pakistan for its tendency to support terrorism. He pointed out how India showed solidarity with our neighbour when Peshawar school massacre took place in 2014.

5. On Gilgit-Balochistan

In a significant departure from the past, the PM dwelled on Pakistan's internally disturbed areas. He said he wants to thank the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Balochistan, etc who have reached out to him.

PM was sending a warning to Pakistan to desist from stoking trouble in Kashmir, unless it too is ready to face foreign intervention in its own troubled regions.

Important achievements listed by PM Narendra Modi

- Ensuring online registration for all government hospitals and online medical records.

- From 2,000 rail tickets per minute available earlier online to 15,000 now.

- Simplified I-T returns.

- Passports now available within two weeks; last year 1.75 crore passports were issued.

- In pursuing his last year's promise, the government has made 9,000 new jobs free of discretion prone interviews.

- Rural road building paced to 100km per day.

- 116 per cent increase in solar capacity instalments, transmission lines - In two years, 3,500km of rail line commission compared to 1,500km in previous ten years.

- Joined 70 crore people to Aadhar compared to four crore by previous government.

- While only 14 crore LPG connections issued in past 60 years, his government delivered four crore connections in 60 weeks.

- Simplifying law and doing away with redundant laws.

- 21 crore families enrolled in Jan Dhan Yojana.

- Two crore toilets built, 70,000 villages freed from open defecation.

- 10,000 out of 18,000 non-electrified villages were electrified.

- LED prices decreased from Rs 350 to 50 crore due to government initiative, 13 crore LED bulbs distributed, 77 crore bulbs targeted, extolled citizens to adopt LED for environment considerations

- Agriculture initiatives:

- Inflation rate within six per cent, but two years of drought did affect vegetable and pulse prices.

- Emphasised on irrigation- launched per crop more drop, revived 90 stalled irrigation project and major impulse towards solar pump

- Urea shortage a thing of past, highest urea production achieved

- PM Kisan Bima Yojana, warehouses built to boost agriculture

- Reduced arrears in sugarcane procurement

- Post offices now also made payment banks

- Transparent coal and telecom auctions ensured greater revenue and transparency

- Drastic improvement on ease of doing business, India received most FDI

Also read - AIB breaks down India's Independence Day

- Under Mudra Yojana, 3.5 crore benefitted with majority of them being women

- Ensured e-platform for farmers

- One nation, one grid, one price has brought down electricity prices

- Gave universal account number to labour to ensure transferability

- Framed model law to allow enterprises to operate round the clock and allowing women to work at night

- Implemented OROP

Also read - A poem for the 70th Independence Day (inspired by Tagore)

- Made Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Files public

- Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Indradhanush, increased maternity leave to 26 months, benefits for women under MUDRA, etc all done in pursuit with the resolve to ensure women empowerment

- Emphasised completion of projects and initiatives of previous government.

- Renegotiated gas prices deal with Qatar saving 20,000 crore of Indian money.

Major announcements:

1. Tribal freedom fighter museum and higher pensions for freedom fighters: Museums will be built throughout the country so that people remember sacrifices made by the tribals in the nation's freedom struggle for generations to come.

The PM also announced increase of 20 per cent in the pension of freedom fighters and that the government will bear Rs 1 lakh medical costs for poor families.

2. Ek Samaj, Ek Sapna, Ek Sankalp, Ek Manzil

 Towards the end of the speech he exhorted the nation to move towards "one society, one dream, one resolve and one aim".

The PM concluded his speech by chanting of Bharat Mata Ki Jai, Jai Hind and Vande Mataram.