Politics

Modi promises a ‘developed’ India on 75th anniversary of independence

New Delhi, Aug 15 (EFE).- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday marked the 75th anniversary of the country’s independence by saying that India should “move forward with the resolve of a developed India,” and unveiled five pledges to achieve the goal in the next 25 years.

“In the coming years, we have to focus on Panchpran (five promises),” Modi said in his address to the nation from New Delhi’s Red Fort, describing the first pledge as the push to make the country of 1.35 billion people a developed one.

“Second, erase all traces of servitude; third, be proud of our legacy; fourth, focus on our strength of unity; and fifth, fulfil the duties of the citizens with honesty,” the prime minister said.

As India celebrated 75 years of its independence from the British empire, the leader claimed that the country was the “mother of democracy.”

“India has seen a lot of ups and downs in the last 75 years. There have been sorrows as well as achievements in these years. We faced natural calamities, wars and other problems. But unity in diversity became our guiding power,” Modi said.

He highlighted corruption and nepotism as the two “main challenges” before the country, and affirmed that respect for women was an “important pillar” for India’s growth.

The prime minister unfurled the Indian flag in the presence of thousands of people at the Red Fort, situated in the old part of the Indian capital, concluding a weeks-long campaign that called for all Indian citizens to put up the flag in their houses.

The event took place amid heavy deployment of security forces to ensure the safety of the leader.

The prime minister’s address to the nation from the Red Fort, a medieval monument that has come to represent India, constitutes one of the main independence day event in India, where the end of British rule is celebrated across the country with public hoisting of the national flag, military parades and cultural performances. EFE

daa/ia

Related Articles

Back to top button