Independence Day of India

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"Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we will redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance.... We end today a period of ill fortune, and India discovers herself again." - Jawaharlal Nehru (Speech on Indian Independence Day, 1947)

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Speech on Independence Day

Today is an auspicious day for our country. Today we enter the 60th year of our Independence. Today we re-dedicate ourselves to the progress and prosperity of our nation. To the welfare of all our people. To the unity and integrity of our country. Today we salute our beloved tricolor. We pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and all those freedom fighters because of whose efforts and sacrifices we secured our Independence. We remember all those whose hard work and efforts keep our flag flying high and keep our country on the road to progress. We pay tribute to the brave members of our armed forces, farmers, teachers, scientists, workers and the millions of our countrymen who are toiling tirelessly for the progress and prosperity of our nation. In the early hours of the 15th of August, 1947, when our nation had just become Independent, our first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru spoke to the nation and asked us all one important question on the very first day we became a free country: "Are we brave enough and wise enough to grasp this opportunity and accept the challenge of the future?" Today, my fellow citizens, I stand here once again and ask you that same question. Are we ready to face the challenge of the future? Are we brave enough, to do so, and wise enough, in doing so? Can we rediscover the ideas and ideals that shaped our freedom struggle, and use them to take our country forward into the future? Are we willing to show the courage and the wisdom that Panditji wanted us to show in building a new India in a new world?

The going has never been as good for India in the past as it is now. Our economy has been growing at an impressive pace of over 8 per cent. Such rapid growth over three successive years is unprecedented in Indian history. Wherever I go, I see our nation on the move. Our industry and services sectors are showing impressive growth. I see a reassuring confidence in our industry in being able to take on the challenge of the rest of the world. The growth of the manufacturing industry has touched 11 per cent in the last quarter, generating many jobs for our youth and workers. I see our service sector competing with the best and earning valuable foreign exchange. All around us, we see new roads being built. The railways are expanding their reach. New power plants are being built. New airports are being planned. Vast industrial estates and Special Economic Zones are coming up. This dynamism is the result of the enterprise, creativity and hard work of millions of Indians. They are boldly taking our country into the future, treading on untrodden paths. I am sure this will result in far greater prosperity for our people. I sincerely believe that the most effective way to banish poverty is to generate growth which in turn will create new opportunities for gainful employment. Hence, economic growth is of primary importance for us. It is almost sixty years since Independence. It is but a brief period in the history of an ancient civilization. But, it is a long time in the life of a young nation. In these sixty years, the world has been transformed beyond recognition. The empires of Europe have faded away. New powers have emerged in Asia. Look at where Japan was and where it is today. Look at where China was and where it is today. Look at where the countries of South-east Asia were and where are they today? When I see them, I wonder whether we are living up to our full potential or not. India is certainly on the march. Yet, we have miles to go before we can truly say that we have made our tryst with destiny. Sixty years ago, Panditji told us that the two challenges before a free India was to end the ancient scourge of poverty, ignorance and disease and end the inequality of opportunity. India has marched a great distance forward in these sixty years, but the challenge of banishing poverty remains with us. We have yet to banish hunger from our land. We have yet to eradicate illiteracy. We have yet to ensure that every Indian enjoys good health. There is visible progress all around. However, when I see this, I have some worries. And I am aware, that every Indian has similar worries. Even as we move forward rapidly, to claim our rightful place in the comity of nations, I see that there are vast segments of our people who are untouched by modernization; who continue to do backbreaking labour; who continue to suffer from iniquitous social orders. I see that our farmers in many parts are in a crisis, not managing to eke out a decent living from their land. When I visited Vidarbha, the plight of the farmers there made a deep impact on me. The

agricultural crisis that is forcing them to take the desperate step of committing suicide needs to be resolved. We need to think about how we can provide a decent livelihood to our farmers? When I see large development projects coming up, while one rejoices at the progress that is being made, one worries for those who are displaced, for those who have lost their land and livelihood. When one sees our cities growing rapidly, one sees visible progress but at the same time, one worries for the large number of people who live in their slums. When our industry and services compete successfully across the globe, we celebrate our success in global markets; but at the same time, we are buffeted by the same global forces when oil prices go up because of factors beyond our control. Globalisation certainly has its benefits; but it can also hurt the common man. The challenge for us as a nation is to address this duality - to ensure that while we keep the wheels of progress moving rapidly forward, no section of society and no part of the country is left behind; to ensure that growth generates the necessary wealth which can then finance the welfare of marginalized groups; to ensure that growth generates employment and a bright future for our youth. In the past two years, it has been our endeavour to address these concerns. We have taken many steps to expand employment opportunities and improve the quality of life in rural and urban areas. The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act has been enacted to provide income security for those suffering from extreme poverty. The programmes under this Act, for which more than two crore families have already registered, currently cover 200 districts and will be expanded gradually to cover the entire country. This pathbreaking Act is the most important social safety net for our poor. I am confident that this Act will help us in eradicating poverty. Bharat Nirman is another programme which will modernize our villages. As our villages get fully electrified and get connected by roads and telephones, their economies will prosper. As they get better irrigation facilities, their agriculture will grow. As drinking water and housing facilities improve, their living conditions will improve. They will participate in the growth which is already visible in urban India. I am happy that progress in the first year of Bharat Nirman has been good and by 2009, I expect to see visible results across the country. These programmes are our weapons in the "War on Poverty". The most effective weapon against poverty is employment. And, higher economic growth is the best way to generate employment. We must create an environment that encourages business to grow and create more employment, especially in the manufacturing sector. We have created a conducive environment for our industrial enterprises to flourish and the results of this are visible. We are supporting not just

large industries, but also the labour intensive small scale and handloom sectors through special programmes. Handlooms and textile industries employ over 3.5 crore people. We are giving cheaper loans to this sector and handloom cooperatives are being revitalised. I am hopeful that in the coming years, lakhs of jobs will be generated in these sectors. Two years ago, speaking from the Red Fort, I promised a "New Deal for Rural India". There is much we have done, but I know much more needs to be done. We have kept our word and almost doubled agricultural credit in less than three years as promised. We are providing short term loans to farmers at 7 per cent. We have waived interest on over-due loans for debt-stressed farmers in Vidarbha and will do the same in other suicide affected districts. We are trying to reach institutional credit to each and every farmer so that they are out of the clutches of moneylenders. For this, we are reviving the cooperative banking system for which a Rs 13,000 crore package is being implemented. We have been paying special attention to horticulture, animal husbandry, cotton, sugarcane and other crops. A National Fisheries Development Board has been set up for increasing the livelihood of fishermen. Agricultural research is being improved and Krishi Vigyan Kendras will soon be functioning in every district of the country by the year end. However, I admit that much still needs to be done to improve the prospects for farmers. Especially in rain-fed areas and for dry-land agriculture. We will need to work towards ensuring more remunerative prices for our farmers. I am aware of the acute distress of our farmers who bear the burden of heavy debt. We have recently constituted an expert group to look into the problem of agricultural indebtedness. I am confident that in a few months, we will take concrete measures to help our farmers overcome the burden of crushing debt. Most importantly, we must ensure that more people get employment in manufacturing and services so that the disproportionate burden on agriculture in providing a livelihood to two-thirds of our population gets reduced. The results of our efforts to improve agriculture are clearly visible in some places. Farmers are getting better prices for many crops. This helps them earn a better livelihood. This, on the other hand hurts the common man when the prices of essential food commodities go up. We need to understand that if we want better prices for farmers so that they earn a better livelihood, the prices of what they produce and sell will have to go up! We certainly cannot grudge our farmers better incomes when incomes of other sections of society are rising! In order to ensure that the needy and the poor do not get adversely affected, our government is committed to ensuring adequate availability of essential commodities at affordable prices to them. I know that each of our families is concerned about the prices of essential commodities. Let me assure you that we will do whatever is required to keep prices under check. But I must remind

you that two years ago the international price of oil was just over USD 30 per barrel. Today it is close to USD 75. Even though world oil prices have more than doubled, we have succeeded in insulating our consumers to a great extent. Prices of kerosene and LPG have not been raised. But there is a limit to which we can go on subsidizing the consumption of petroleum products in the face of rising import costs. How much more can the government treasury bear this burden? At some point, this will affect our ability to spend on other important development programmes. In order to keep food prices within the reach of the common man, we have even allowed the import of some products to meet the shortage in our markets. While employment and agriculture are of immediate concern to all, our long term concern is for the future of our children. They need to be healthy, well educated, with hope for the future. We launched the National Rural Health Mission to provide better health care in rural areas. Under this programme, almost two lakh women have been kept as health assistants (ASHAs) at the village level; four lakh more women will be in place soon. Through them, we will wage a war against malnutrition of children, against malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and other diseases. These diseases put a heavy financial burden on our people. In Vidarbha, I was pained to meet families of farmers who had committed suicide because they could not repay the loans they had taken to meet the cost of health care of their loved ones. We will take every possible step to help people overcome the burden of poverty and disease. The expanded Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan will ensure that all our children go to school. Under the universal Mid-day Meal Programme, almost 12 crore children are getting a nutritious meal at school. Through these two programmes, we will ensure that all our children complete basic schooling. I request every citizen to ensure that every child of school-going age is enrolled in a school. We will pay particular attention to the empowerment through education of children belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Minorities. We will provide all possible assistance for the all round growth of children suffering from disabilities or with special needs. We also will care for those who suffer from disabilities so that they can lead a dignified life in society. All the initiatives that we have taken to push forward rural development and ensure farmers' welfare can be implemented only with the active participation of our panchayats. For this to happen, our State Governments have to empower our panchayats. We have to pay more attention to the quality of local administration - in our villages and districts, in our towns and cities. We need to rid our municipalities of the cancer of corruption. State governments have a major role to play in this. Cities and towns are centers of growth and generators of employment opportunities. Our cities

need to have a new look for which they need massive investment and renewal. They need basic amenities like sanitation, drinking water and proper housing for the poor. They need public transport, parks and playgrounds. We need cities in which the working poor can live with selfrespect and dignity; cities in which children and women feel safe and secure. In order to ensure that our cities have better infrastructure and that they have better living conditions, we launched the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. This programme and other similar ones have started showing results. Work has begun on Metro systems in Bangalore and Mumbai. I see a glorious decade of city development ahead of us. The challenge before Government is to implement these programmes. We have to improve the way governments function and deliver public services. How do we do this? How do we ensure that higher financial outlays translate into better outcomes? I sincerely hope that the Right to Information Act enacted by our Government will empower our people who will be able to use their rights to make government more accountable. We have to work hard to eliminate corruption in the delivery of public services, in fact eliminate it from all walks of life. We will work to put in place a system that rewards honesty, probity and efficiency. India has contributed extensively to human knowledge. Today, we are at the dawn of a new millennium which many call the knowledge economy. In this world, knowledge will determine our progress and the place we occupy in the world. We must continue to be at the forefront of new research and new thinking, especially in science and technology. We must build top-class institutions. We have begun work on three new Indian Institutes of Science, Education and Research in Kolkata, Pune and Punjab. We have also begun work on 19 medical institutions of the same standard as AIIMS. We will need to ensure far greater availability of educational opportunities at the higher education level so that we have not just a literate youth but a skilled youth, with skills which can fetch them gainful employment. As our economy booms and as our industry grows, I hear a pressing complaint about an imminent shortage of skilled employees. As a country endowed with huge human resources, we cannot let this be a constraint. We are planning to launch a Mission on Vocational Education so that the skill deficit in our economy is addressed. As we expand educational opportunities, we must ensure that these opportunities are accessible to all marginalized and weaker sections of our society. Our government is committed to providing reservation in educational institutions for students from socially backward sections of society. We will do so, while at the same time expanding educational opportunities for all youth. This is our solemn commitment. In this manner, we will recognize and reward individual merit and hard work while working for an inclusive society. While we are moving fast to develop every region of our country, we have to take pains to see

that this does not adversely affect those who are displaced. Nor should it affect our environment. Nor should any region of the country get left behind. Our government will soon put in place a comprehensive Rehabilitation Policy so that displacement does not lead to impoverishment and those who lose their land benefit from subsequent economic development. We have also taken special measures to save our wildlife, including the tiger. We are taking concrete steps to develop backward regions through the Backward Regions Grant Fund and will be spending Rs 5000 crores annually in 250 districts. Our other concern is national security. India is facing two major threats to its internal security. Terrorism and Naxalism. Just over a month ago, Mumbai witnessed the most inhuman terrorist attack in the recent past, killing and injuring hundreds of innocent citizens. The entire nation was pained by this suffering. Mumbai demonstrated its courage and patience and showed its resolve not to be cowed down by these incidents. I had said in Mumbai then that it cannot be business as usual for any of us. Terrorists want to undermine our growing economic strength; destroy our unity; and provoke communal incidents. We cannot allow this to happen. Our strength lies in our unity. We will not allow the secular fabric of our country to be broken. I give my assurance to every citizen that we will do our utmost to preserve our unity and integrity, to make our country safe and secure for every citizen. We will modernize, strengthen and properly equip our security forces and our intelligence agencies. We will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that terrorist elements in India are neutralized and smashed. Let those who want to hurt us by inflicting a thousand cuts remember - no one can break our will, or unity. No one can make India kneel. While terrorism has been raising its ugly head time and again, we have also seen peace having its victories. The people of Jammu and Kashmir continue to face the wrath of terrorism. But they have also seen new rays of hope for peace and progress. New links of connectivity have brought people on both sides of the Line of Control closer - Srinagar to Muzaffarabad, Poonch to Rawalkot. Through the Round Table Conferences, we have started a dialogue with all political groups and parties of Jammu and Kashmir. We are jointly exploring new pathways to build a better tomorrow for its people - a tomorrow where they can live in peace and dignity, free from fear, want and exploitation. Today the people of the North-Eastern region look to the future with hope. The last two years have seen immense progress in the North East in all spheres of development - better roads, better rail connectivity, the first ever thermal power projects in the region and better universities. I am hopeful that in the coming few years, the North- eastern region will gradually catch up with the rest of the country. However, many states here are still afflicted by insurgency. There is a great

desire among the people of the region for peace and tranquility. While we are determined to tackle insurgency, we are hopeful that the dialogue that we have initiated with many disaffected groups will produce a peace dividend. A life of progress and prosperity with self-respect and dignity is the right of the people there and we are confident of providing it. I want those who have mistakenly taken to Naxalism to understand that in democratic lndia, power will never flow from the barrel of a gun. Real power flows from the ballot box. At the same time, our State Governments must pay special attention to the welfare of our tribals and small and marginal farmers. It is their distress that Naxalites exploit. The path of violence can never solve the problems of the poor. Our security forces will respond appropriately to the violence unleashed by Naxalites. In the past one month, many parts of the country, particularly Andhra Pradesh, Surat and Maharashtra, have been badly affected by floods and there has been extensive loss of life and property. We will provide all possible assistance for the relief of these regions. Every Indian wants to live in a neighbourhood of peace, stability and prosperity. People in our neighbouring countries share the same aspirations. South Asia is a common cultural and economic unit. Our past and destinies are inter-linked. India, as the largest country in the region, is ready to give our neighbours a stake in our own prosperity and share the fruits of our growth with them. However, the dream of a South Asian community, where borders have ceased to matter and there is an unhindered flow of goods and peoples, culture and ideas, can hardly be realized if terrorist violence and the politics of hate and confrontation continue to cast a dark shadow. We are prepared to work together with all our neighbours to usher in an era of peace and prosperity for our peoples. We have taken several initiatives in this regard, in particular with Pakistan. To be successful, these initiatives need an atmosphere of peace. It is obvious that unless Pakistan takes concrete steps to implement the solemn assurances it has given to prevent cross-border terrorism against India from any territory within its control, public opinion in India, which has supported the peace process, will be undermined. All countries in our region must recognize that terrorism anywhere is a threat to peace and prosperity everywhere. It must be confronted with our united efforts. There is a large constituency for peace and shared prosperity among our people and we must work together to build on that. In the past two years, we have succeeded in creating an international environment which supports our development aspirations. Our relations with the United States of America, China, Japan, and the European Union, have never been better and with Russia, we have further strengthened our time-tested partnership.

In South-East Asia, India has been welcomed into the East Asian Summit. There has been a significant expansion of both our political and economic links with countries of the Gulf and the Arab world. The continents of Africa and Latin America are now the new areas of focus for our diplomacy and India's engagement has become truly global. We are recognized for the scale of our achievements since Independence and the world wants India to progress. India is a young nation. India is a nation of young people. Our youth are ready to work hard for a bright future. Our former Prime Minister, Shri Rajiv Gandhi, was greatly concerned about the prospects for our youth and took many steps for ensuring a bright future for them. Even today, the youth of our country are in search of a bright future. They seek new opportunities and are in search of new possibilities. They are willing to think in new ways. They have no time for old ideas and ideologies. They want to build a new India. We must build a new India of their dreams. I want every one of our youth to walk shoulder to shoulder, and walk forward with us in building a new India. Every young person must have faith in our future. To know that this country will create opportunities for all for the full expression of their talent and skill. We have a dream of an India in which every woman can feel safe, secure and empowered. Where our mothers, sisters and daughters are assured a life of dignity and personal security. We must end the crime of female foeticide. We must eliminate gender disparities. We must see that every young woman is educated and skilled and capable of guiding a new generation. The laws of our land are meant to protect every law abiding citizen. The rule of law can become a reality only if justice is seen to be delivered. Only if the rights of law- abiding citizens are protected. We need a more efficient, humane and responsive police force. We also need a more efficient and effective judiciary. Our government will work to make this possible. Today, from this historic Red Fort, I appeal to every one of you to re-dedicate yourself to build a new India. - An India that is united in thought, not divided by religion and language. - An India that is united in our Indianness, not divided by caste and region. - An India that is united in seeking new opportunities for growth, not divided by disparities. - An India that is caring and inclusive. Our religions may be different. Our castes may be different. Our languages may be different. But we are all Indians. In our progress lies the progress of the nation. Our fortunes and our nation's fortunes are intertwined. And working together, we can make this fortune a glorious one. If we have to fulfil our potential, we need a politics that will help us realize it. We need a politics that will propel us forward. We need a politics that will guide us to new frontiers, take us to new

horizons. I urge all our political leaders to think deeply about the future of our country. We must shun the politics of divisiveness and adopt the politics of change and progress. Our political parties and leaders must learn to work together. To build a consensus around national issues. If we are able to do so, then I am confident that then we will soon be able to realize the golden future which millions of our countrymen are eagerly waiting for. Let us all join together, hand in hand, to build a new India. Jai Hind!

My dear Citizens of India [ Images ], On the eve of the 57th Independence Day, I extend to you my best wishes for your happiness and prosperity. My salutations to all of you at home and abroad. Let us on this occasion remember with gratitude, the selfless service rendered by the personnel of the armed forces and also those of the paramilitary forces, who guard our frontiers on the land, at sea and in the air. Let me dedicate this Independence Day broadcast to those great souls who pioneered the Independence Movement. We remember them with reverence and gratitude, not for their religious, political, language, caste and creed affiliations, but for the ninety year saga of sacrifices to realise the singular and noble vision of heralding an Independent India. What should we be remembered for? Let us for a moment pause to reflect what it is that for which we would like to be remembered for by future generations. Will we be remembered for how many mosques our generation has added, will we be remembered for how many temples our generation has added or will we be remembered for how many gurudwaras our generation has added? No, not at all. We will be remembered only if we give to our younger generation a prosperous and safe India, resulting out of economic prosperity coupled with civilisational heritage. At this point of time I would like to share with you an experience, which I had at Raj Bhavan, Srinagar [ Images ] during my recent visit to the three regions of Jammu and Kashmir [ Images ]. A number of children from different schools of the city and the neighbourhood interacted with me and sang with me the National Anthem. At the end of our interaction, three students approached me and introduced themselves. On was a Hindu girl, the second a Muslim boy and the third a Sikh boy. They asked me: 'Mr President, please tell us now, when will we become prosperous, free from poverty and from the fear of terrorist attacks? Allow us to go on a mission to penetrate the minds of the extremists and bring about unity of minds.' These children represent the 300 million strong youth of the nation. The questions of the students engulfed me, resulting in a poetic verse.

'Oh Almighty, create thoughts and actions in the minds of the people of my nation, so that they live united. Light the minds of the religious leaders of my country to evolve a bridge among religions with compassion and love.

Embed the thought 'Nation is bigger than the individual or party' in the minds of the leaders. May God, bless my people to work hard and transform the country into a prosperous nation in a decade.' Aspirations of the people In one year's time I visited 23 states and three Union Territories. I interacted with various cross sections of the people and had an exclusive dialogue with Members of Parliament and legislators of certain states and also presented the Developed India Plan to the Joint Session of Parliament in February 2003. The dialogue with the people, and written responses from many citizens gave me an insight into the aspirations of the people to get into the action of transforming India into a developed nation, in less than two decades. Whether it was a remote village in Kerala [ Images ], or a far away rural set-up in Nagaland or Uri in Jammu and Kashmir, the area close to the Line of Control [ Images ], I would like to emphatically state that the feelings and aspirations for a prosperous India are the same. Our Strengths For India to become a developed nation, we must give thrust to the nation's core competencies. The GDP has to grow annually by 8 to 10 per cent with consistency over years instead of the current 5 percent. This year, it is reassuring that our economy in three sectors - agriculture, manufacturing and services is in the ascent phase. If we put in united efforts to keep up the momentum we can reach an 8 per cent growth rate in about a year. We should ensure the benefits of this growth should reach the economically weaker sections of society. We should reinforce our gains in the agriculture, power, Information and Communication Technology, industrial and education sectors, space, nuclear, and defence technologies, chemical, pharmaceutical and infrastructural industries, oil exploration and refining, and more importantly in critical technologies. When we are consolidating our strengths, we should develop increased safety consciousness to prevent loss of valuable human and material resources in road, rail, air, power, industrial and other accidents. The relief mechanisms have to reach accident sites at the right time. The core competencies, resources and safety consciousness should be the basis on which the country can embark on a national mission for transformation. Vision to Mission We need to evolve and develop specific integrated missions sector-wise to take the country forward on the path of self-sustaining development. These missions will provide the thrust for the realisation of a developed India in a time bound manner. They will also provide large-scale employment opportunities for the youth, through the creation of various types of industries and enhancement of national infrastructure. I would like to discuss five specific missions.

Networking of Rivers The first mission on the Networking of Rivers is under active consideration of my government and from the task team evolving the plan of action, we must move on to a mission mode programme including an ecological enhancement plan for executing the project. This mission will eliminate the periodical problem of droughts and floods experienced in a number of river basin states and provide both water and power security. In addition the nation has to embark on water harvesting and desalination of seawater as national missions. Quality Power Availability of quality uninterrupted power should be ensured at an affordable price, which is a key to economic growth. This is our second mission. The existing capacity of about 100,000 megawatts would need tripling by the year 2020. To achieve it, apart from hydel, thermal and nuclear power systems, we need to give thrust to sustainable energy resources like bio-mass, wind and solar farms of 800 to 1000 megawatts capacity and to efficient transmission and distribution. Providing Urban amenities in Rural Areas (PURA) Providing urban facilities to rural areas is another important mission about which I have talked to you earlier. In the long-term interest, it is necessary for us to make living in villages an attractive proposition for our people by reinforcing the rural habitat and providing modern economic linkages. To achieve this, an economically viable cluster of villages have to be created through a mission mode programme into physical, electronic, and knowledge connectivities, leading to self-sustained economic prosperity for groups of villages. It is essential that PURA has to become a business prosposition to be run by small scale industrialists, entrepreneurs, and societal establishments. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) The mission of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and related services is one of the wealth generators for the nation. We should aspire to increase business volume by 15 to 20 times in a ten-year duration. The benefit of ICT must reach all parts of the country through tele-medicine, tele-education and e-governance. We have to embark on creating ICT infrastructure and developing knowledge products to promote selective self-reliance in the ICT sector, thus achieving a competitive edge globally.

Tourism The vast civilisational heritage of the country, from the Himalayas to Kanyakumari, Jammu and Kashmir, central India, the North Eastern States, Bihar, the western states, the large coastal line, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands [
Images ] and Lakshadweep Islands have a lot to attract tourists. After my visit to almost all the regions of the country,

I have realised the tourism industry has a tremendous potential for wealth generation and should operate as our fifth mission with higher targets. To succeed in this mission, infrastructural requirements are very essential and are to be improved. Thrust is required to be given for inland water navigation, hotels, communications and tourist promotion. If we promote sustainable

tourism, it will become India's core competence. These mission areas need action and will provide a multiplier effect and give the necessary momentum to all sectors of the economy. Enriching village life During my visit to rural areas in certain States, I realised that the hard earned money of rural people, instead of being deployed for education of children and environmental improvements including their habitat, was being wasted in undesirable practices like alcoholism and other addictions. In certain states, I realised the ratio between males and females was not proportionate. This prompted me to evolve a declaration in consultation with the rural population for administering it to village life is as follows: Children are our precious wealth.

We will give equal importance to male and female children in providing education and rights for growth of our society. Earnings come out of hard work. We will not waste it in gambling and liquor. We will become role models for kids. We We need to tell our to children jointly about the importance our of education forests as and learning gives knowledge. pollution.

need

protect

prevent

We will plant at least five trees or saplings. It is essential that reputed leaders and social workers while visiting rural areas can administer this oath in a similar way. Social workers, women self-help groups and non-governmental organisations have to take-up this task as a mission. For India to develop we need vibrant villages.

Challenges

Divisive forces use terrorism as a tool in the name of ethnic groupism, religious fundamentalism and sometimes political ambitions as a rationale for terrorism, leading to conflicts among nations. People are used as war tools. Within the next two decades, we will encounter a totally new situation of acute shortages of water, energy and minerals.

No single nation will be able to handle this situation by itself. Humanity will require mega-missions for harnessing solar energy, drinking water from seawater through the desalination process and bringing minerals from other planets. In such a situation, the present reasons for conflict will become insignificant and unwarranted. I call upon the neighbouring countries to see this perspective and have a bigger vision. India has definitely taken a significant peace initiative with all its neighbours.

The recent visit of our prime minister to China definitely paves the way for resolving certain outstanding issues.

The recent terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir through a suicide bombing, resulting in a number of casualties, of both service and civilian personnel, is a cause for serious concern. No religion has mandated killing others as a

requirement for its sustenance or promotion. These cowardly acts borne out of utter frustration deserve severe condemnation and actions for preventing recurrence of such events.

Tasks

before

us

I am convinced that developed India 2020 vision transforming into a mission is a national challenge and requires nationwide participation. While my government is committed for such missions, every citizen of India should ask in what way he or she can contribute to these missions directly or indirectly. It is difficult to spell out all specific possibilities of tangible contribution by our citizens. I would like to mention a few here, as examples:

Educationists should build the capacities of the spirit of inquiry, creativity, entrepreneurial and moral leadership among students and become their role model. Today, professional education is becoming a commercial venture. It is not affordable for even middle class people, what to talk of people below the poverty line, state governments, universities and the managements of educational institutions should review and streamline the procedural and systemic bottlenecks in executing missions. Actions emanating from the government in all its public dealings should become fully transparent through e-governance.

Parliamentarians and legislators belonging to each constituency should become mission facilitators for their constituency and also resolve inter and intra-constituency conflicts. I am reminded of a Talim epic, which provides the code of conduct for people in high and responsible positions.

It means, people who are in high and responsible positions, if they go against righteousness, righteousness itself will get transformed into a destroyer. Whoever deviates from righteousness, whether they are an individual or states, are responsible for their own actions.

If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother and the teacher. Let us join together and launch this movement from the home and the school to eradicate corruption.

Conclusion

We are a large country, we are also blessed with natural resources and a highly motivated young human resource. We have to prioritise our thoughts on national development and make all other issues as "non-issues". This will ensure focus and thrust for the development process. And it will prevent dissipation of energy and resources on nonproductive issues.

I appeal to political leaders, religious leaders, opinion makers, media personnel and all Indian citizens to place a moratorium on all issues which are impediments to the development fo the nation, from now and pledge ourselves to

make

the

missions

of

developed

India

reality.

This will be the greatest legacy that we can proudly leave behind for our next generation. Let us sacrifice our today so that our children can have a better tomorrow. I pray to the Almighty to provide us the wisdom, knowledge, physical resources and ability to work had to succeed in our missions. Allow me again, my dear citizens to wish you a very purposeful and happy Independence Day tomorrow.

8 things India needs to do urgently

August 14, 2010 09:51 IST

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On the occasion of India's [ Images ] 63rd Independence Day, former Union agriculture secretary T Nanda Kumar offers an 8-fold path to claim our rightful place among the world's best.

I was not born in 1947. Therefore, I have no memories of the euphoria of the first Independence Day.

My early memories of the day are the celebrations in a small government school I attended. Crisp starched and ironed clothes, national flags made of paper, singing the National Anthem, and a speech by the headmaster were the highlights. I was allowed to pin a small flag on my shirt and hold a slightly bigger one in the school. Those were proud moments! Even after 63 years, the pride remains. Later days were different. It was more about the country, our country! There was nationalism all around. Even as young kids, there was unflinching commitment to the country. Reading Gandhi and Nehru was a passion. The first few images of post-Independent India were ones of food shortages, poverty, hunger, inadequacy of almost everything. But there was hope! Where are we after 63 years, and where do we intend to go? Things have changed and, in many ways, changed for the better. We still have poverty, but we have increasing prosperity as well. We are not worried whether the next ship will bring enough food or whether we have enough foreign exchange to buy fuel for the next month. Our choice of cars is not limited to the Ambassador and the Fiat, we do not live in a black and white TV era with just one channel anymore, we are not in a long queue for allotment of scooters or telephone connections, we are not looking to developed countries for aid or to the World Bank for more loans, we are not scared of competition any longer, we are a confident lot ready to take on the world. Yes, we have come far. We have progressed. Does that give us comfort? Probably, not. We have to solve more complex problems to move forward and we are impatient. What could be the most important things that we need to do urgently? One, contain divisive forces and actions. We seem to divide ourselves in the name of caste, region, religion, group, sub-group, vote banks, constituencies though we unite in times of crisis. There are a number of external forces which may not want India to become developed and powerful. These forces could create difficulties both inside the country and outside. It is important that, as a pluralistic society, we learn to live and grow together and to resolve our differences through dialogue and reconciliation. Any form of violence, for any reason whatsoever, should be avoided. Instead of expecting the government to solve all our problems, let civil society take its role seriously and do its bit. The large majority in India wants to get on with their lives and want peace. This majority needs to assert its presence. Two, release the energy of India's youth to generate growth and prosperity. Look at any educated young man or woman in India today. There is a new level of confidence, a confidence to take up a challenge to better the best in the

world, provided they are supported with education and infrastructure. They are willing to work extra hours, learn new things, and innovate. It is this confidence and the attitude of "we can do it" that is India's most valuable capital today. We need to support this with the best quality education, infrastructure and training and research facilities, be it in the private or public sector. Most of these youngsters are above the issues of caste, region, language or religion. They are focused on their careers and their growth, which will in turn be India's growth. Three, get the infrastructure right. Young India is impatient, and rightly so. They want to get going. Inadequate infrastructure, whether it is physical or social, is holding them back. Roads, power, basic services like water and sanitation, social infrastructure like healthcare, education need urgent attention if we want India to grow. Many of these could come through private sector investment, innovation and efficiencies. The government will still play a major role both in terms of providing funds, encouraging investments and ensuring regulation. Instead of focusing on ownership issues, we need to focus on quality and cost of services. Four, fight inefficiency and corruption. Most Indians are worried about corruption. But when it comes to standing up against corruption, there aren't many. While all forms of corruption are bad, big corruption is fodder for television news channels, and petty corruption is like cancer. It affects the poor more and makes life miserable for the average Indian. Civil society needs to stand up and make/force the change. Luckily, we have the Right to Information Act which is an effective tool in the hands of the Indian citizen to ensure transparency. India, the global software power, should be the global leader in ensuring transparent e-governance. We do not need technology from outside, we just need the will to change age-old and opaque processes. Society needs to make its demand for this change loud and clear.

Five, invest in innovation and research. The future belongs to technology. We need to develop technologies that suit us. Research in frontier areas of science and technology should become a national priority. This should not be the task of the government alone, corporates need to support this effort. Society needs to give greater respect to scientists and technologists.
There are innovators at every level in India. Quite often their work goes unnoticed. They can make a difference to our lives. We need to create a simple and useable platform for them to collaborate. All of us cannot be innovators, we must become adept at adopting innovations.

Six, respect other's needs and feelings. It is often said that obedience to the unenforceable rules is the hallmark of a civilised society. Quite often, our behaviour in public is despicable, be it our civic sense, or adherence to discipline or our commitment to the environment around us. The rich and the powerful need to set an example since they are probably the worst offenders. Seven, care for the environment. While we are in a hurry to grow faster, we often forget concerns of sustainability. All of us need to give something back to the environment even if it means giving up some comfort and doing a little more. Our ability to sustain our resources over a longer period is key to our growth. Eight, care for the poor and the disadvantaged. There are many in India who are poor and disadvantaged, mostly for reasons beyond their control. While policy interventions need to take care of those, a caring society needs to ensure that they do not feel left out, be it the economically weaker sections, women or socially or educationally backward classes. It is important to show that society cares. Can we do it? If everyone does a little bit more, we can and we should!

Indian economy is in an ascent phase. There is considerable growth in the manufacturing and service sectors. Still a majority of our population who are living in the rural sector have not realised the benefits of the economic growth. Nearly 220 million people are still below poverty line in both rural and urban areas. Even though the GDP growth indicates our economic growth, peoples participation is essential for achieving the required targets, focusing the growth of national prosperity index. It is essential to ensure that all the citizens are empowered with good quality of life encompassing nutritious food, good habitat, clean environment, affordable healthcare, quality education with value system and productive employment leading to the comprehensive development of the nation that will bring smiles to one billion people. These are indicators for the growth of the National Prosperity Index. To achieve this, we have a vision of transforming India into a developed nation before 2020, energising and igniting the minds of all Indians.Every constituent of the government system and corporate sector and the citizens of the nation have to contribute for realising the mission of Developed India. I would like to suggest the possible contribution from different sections of the society to accelerate the realisation of Developed India.
Role of youth Youth below 25 years constitute more than half of our population and they will play key roles in many areas by the year 2020. Wherever I go, all our youth have been asking me what they can do to realise Developed India. I have suggested to them to excel themselves in whatever task they do. That itself will be a direct contribution to Developed India Mission 2020. We the experienced, whatever be our profession, be it being a politician, government employee, in police,

in judiciary, teacher, entrepreneur, scholar, healthcare professionals, artist, sports person, homemaker, scientist or technologist, all should become role models through life style and performance. Students invariably ask me how India can be made corruption free. I have been suggesting that students should take the lead and correct their parents or relatives in their families if they are not transparent. Students have given me the confidence that they can do this, because they have a very big means to do so, and that is the instrumentality of love. Students have assured me that they will play a key role in keeping the home clean. Each home has to encourage its children to participate in this mission of creating and maintaining a clean environment. We have 13 lakh NCC cadets, 38 lakh Bharat scouts and guides and 26 lakh NSS volunteers, who can definitely instill discipline in our citizens, support the police forces during special occasions, promote the concept of cleanliness and conservation of energy in the whole nation. I would like to see some major visible missions locally or regionally taken up by them. Contribution of teachers, parents Teachers and parents mould the lives of budding youngsters when they are in the age group five to 17, which has a lasting effect on them throughout their life. To inculcate the right values among the children, teachers and parents have to equip themselves and become mentors through their own personal example. Empowering for enhanced contribution I have been meeting groups of panchayat presidents, constables, postmen, members of NGOs from different parts of the country during important national events for informal discussions. They brought out various problems in their dayto-day functioning and their working conditions. At that time, many senior officers who look after them were also present and promised actions. The panchayat presidents have assured me that they will ensure full utilisation of funds allocated for development purposes of the panchayat and that there would be no dilution of tasks. The police personnel assured me that they would always deal with crime against citizens, efficiently with speed and be true to their conscience for establishing truth. Postmen are vibrant in providing the last mile connectivity to the rural areas and the NGOs have assured me that they will ensure reaching of their services to the remotest areas of the country. Media for a billion people Media, with its outreach, can play a big role in national development. They can propagate national successes particularly those emanating from rural areas which will act as a great motivator and will also help in spreading the islands of successes to similarly placed regions in the country. Of course, vigilant reporting based on researched information, apart from enabling faster development will lead to promotion of equity and justice. When atrocities, problems or mis-governance are reported, efforts also may be made in larger public interest to provide positive direction for improvement. In short, the media is for the one billion people of India and has a big role in bringing smile on every face. Science and technology for national development On December 31, 2006, a few days before my address to the 94th Indian Science Congress, I posted a question in my website www.presidentofindia.nic.in. The question was: Science in India what it means to you? The responses reflect the dreams of the youth on science and also the change of mind among the experienced scientists. Science for youth means an inspiration and also a way of life and their restless minds are yearning for fast action in science education, science research and science results. The experienced unanimously have confirmed that science in India had to graduate for dealing with and

finding solution to the problems of our country, particularly in the rural areas. I was going through the Growth Competitive Index of various nations where India is ranked 43 for the year 2006-07. For moving up to the first few places in the competitiveness index, it is essential for academia, R&D establishments and industry to work together in the challenging scientific missions including creation of a policy to facilitate our youth to take up basic research in science as their career. Empowering people to give their best I have studied the various systems and processes in the country from the point of view of empowering people to perform to the best of their potential. There are several interfaces in the total system, they include: Political Leaders, Law makers MPs and MLAs, Administrators, Police, Lawyers, Judges, Corporate sector, Religious / spiritual leaders and Citizens. All the constituents and the personalities involved have to be transparent and pure, then only an integrated partnership for development will emerge. Political leaders The prime focus of all political leaders should be promoting development politics. Laws are to be respected. No processes of power should be used to circumvent the law of the land. Political leaders, needless to say, should set an example for civil society. Legislators Legislature has to ensure that the common man is getting a fair deal from the democratic government. The answer does not depend on the Constitution alone but on how democracy works in practice and how development plan or funds reach the people in various parts of the country. We have to find an innovative procedure for the whole election process from the choice of the candidates to the declaration of results. Law makers should constantly attempt to simplify the law, discard irrelevant old Acts. Administrators Administrators should be responsive, proactive and also innovative to keep pace with contemporary changes and expectations. Administration has to function in the mission mode, using technology tools with reference to the national development programmes. Empowering the administrators would lead to responsibility with accountability. Police The Police system should function in a way that good citizens will have faith and nothing to be afraid of. They should not succumb to any external pressures in carrying out their functions. They should protect honest officials in discharging their duties. Citizens should feel comfortable and confident to seek help of the police. Lawyers The legal profession is not a mere business but it has the responsibility to unfold truth and to enable justice to the individual. Law schools should impart such values to the students and senior lawyers should become role models. They can actively participate in mediation, conciliation and arbitration established in the courts through their experience. Judges Judiciary can facilitate faster clearance of pending cases in High courts, District Courts and Sessions Courts. The cases involving terrorism, crimes against women and children and corruption can be dealt

with through a time bound fast track system for a decision. Corporate sector The corporate sector while successfully running world class business in all economic sectors and generating wealth for the country have responsibilities to their employees and customers. Beyond that they need to take also a few important tasks as part of their social responsibility, such as establishing PURA (Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas) in their neighbourhood. Religious / Spiritual groups Many religious institutions are playing an important role in promoting education with value system, healthcare, provision of water and rural development. Religious leaders have to work for bringing unity of minds in the country. Fortunately, every religion has got a spiritual component; they have to establish the bridge through love and compassion. A movement has to start. The religious leaders can pave the way for communal amity and peace. Citizens Citizens also have the responsibility to create peaceful environment and peaceful society. Any difference at various phases of life have to be sorted out in a citizens forum. Citizens have to be alert about any injustice happening around them. Citizens should realise that children are our wealth. Citizens should contribute in developing their children as enlightened citizens by being role models. Every citizen should realise that their work today will create a developed India tomorrow for the future of their children. Golden opportunity The strength of a billion people who can cohesively become one India in the midst of diversity has been the core competence of our nation. Capacity to integrate society with technology, knowledge and skills imbibed with our value system derived from our heritage and seamlessly glueing together one billion people in the development process will enhance the National Prosperity Index of the nation. Thus, India will have the economic opportunities of the urban areas and the tranquility of life of rural areas available in both places with high prosperity index. The Indian experience of interconnecting its 600,000 villages to the rest of the country and providing prosperity and equity to one sixth of the population of the planet will serve as a role model for the entire world.