PM Modi gave an inspiring Independence Day speech

As I listened to the Independence Day speech of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, I realised how he tried to evoke a "sense of duty" in the government, citizens and the society at large.

To point out, our Constitution features both the chapters on fundamental rights and fundamental duties as well.

If we look back, in 1965, Lal Bahadur Shastri gave the call for "Jai Jawan Jai Kisan" to infuse a "sense of respect and honour" for our farmers and soldiers, the two pillars which protect and produce for this "Bharat bhumi".

Notably some time later, the call for "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisaan and Jai Vigyan" by former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, after the Pokhran nuclear tests (1998), also ushered in respect for knowledge. What Modi adds to this discourse is the "sense of duty" in Indian citizens to become the driver of change that they want to see.

Not many days ago, PM Modi, in his speech in Parliament on the occasion of 75 years of the "Quit India Movement", gave the call for "karenge aur kar ke rahenge". Then also he was highlighting the need to feel duty-bound towards your "work and objectives" to realise the dream of making India secure and prosperous.

As he began his Independence Day speech today, he recalled the contribution and struggle for national freedom from British raj.

While he paid his respects to the great freedom fighters, he also asked the countrymen to reflect upon the fact how every hero of India’s national movement was "duty-bound and devoted" to make this country free from colonial powers.

By giving the example of "natural calamities" in some parts of India and recent deaths of children due to "poor hospital administration" in Gorakhpur, he stressed on the government's duty to protect the ordinary citizens. Recalling the government’s efforts in the past three years under his leadership, he identified key policies and programmes to realise the duty of his government to deliver upon welfare services for the people.

By giving historical examples of the Ram Setu, Govardhan Parvat and Mahatma Gandhi’s sacrifices for India's freedom, he was evoking a "collective sense of duty and strength" to realise our objectives.

Notably, he pointed out the need to recognise and cherish the "minutest contribution" to realise the dream of a "New India" by 2022, based on peace, security and prosperity.

He mentioned about massive push for infrastructure development, railway reforms, cooperative federalism, development of the Northeast, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, rural electrification, subsidy rationalisation, financial inclusion, solar power generation, banking reforms, building entrepreneurship, digital growth, demonetisation, insurance for the poor and gender justice as some of the examples of his model of governance.

His speech made a case for "duty of the government" to better serve its country and its people.

Referring to the "surgical strikes" against Pakistan, he pointed out the government's duty and commitment to protect the national frontiers against terrorism and violence.

He made a point that by acting tough against "benami properties", his government has been able to gain "faith and confidence" of the common people.

By mentioning "triple talaq", he called upon the conservative forces of the society to reflect upon their duty to ensure gender justice and equality in society.

He also gave a tough call against the "use of violence" in the name of faith by some sections of the society that threatens peace and harmony.

He tried to make a point that "civic citizenship" is the strength of society and we must always strive for it. He called for the need to respect "honesty and fair practices" in our social life.

If a society fails to acknowledge its duty to recognise any individual or public honesty, the dream of making a "corruption-free India" would certainly be lost.

To quote Swami Vivekananda, "Every duty is holy, and devotion to duty is the highest form of the worship of God." 

By giving examples of the steps taken post-demonetisation, he called for the need to contribute towards a more transparent, fair and efficient model of economic growth and interaction.

As he noted during his entire speech, the "sense of collective duty" towards the country is necessary to move India ahead.

The dream of a "New India" demands sense of "duty and responsibility" by the government, society and individuals in their different capacities and functions.

To conclude, by recalling the slogan of “Swaraj hamara janamsidha adhikar hai”, PM Modi was touching the most fundamental tenet of state-individual relation.

Theoretically speaking, the state draws a "sense of obligation" from its citizens, but what if the state fails to "deliver services" based on the needs of the people.

It is here when he evokes "collective duty" by the state, society and individual in order to achieve a perfect model for the country’s growth.

Over the years, India has seen much debates on "rights and liberties".

With this Independence Day, it is time we reflect upon "our duties and responsibilities" in our different capacities and contribute towards building a "New India".

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