India Independence Day 2020: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday addressed the nation on its 74th Independence Day from ramparts of the Red Fort in the national capital. The Prime Minister began his speech with paying respect to freedom fighters and the armed forces. He also praised those fighting against the novel coronavirus from the frontlines. Modi highlighted the importance to make India self-reliant, saying it was not just a word but should be a “mantra” for the people. Follow India Independence Day 2020 Live Updates
Here are the top quotes from PM Modi’s speech
*We are going through a unique situation because of coronavirus pandemic. We will achieve victory over coronavirus with resolve of people of the country*
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*All attempts were made to root our cultures and traditions in past
*India became a challenge to forces of expansionism with its freedom struggle
*It is necessary for us to prepare ourselves to make India self-reliant
*In midst of coronavirus pandemic, Indians’ resolve to become ‘self-reliant’; this is not a word but mantra for all people
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*While we focus on economic growth and development, humanity must retain a central role in this process
*India’s share in world economy should increase, for which we have to be self-reliant
*For how long India will export raw materials and import finished products; country has to become self-reliant.
*We have to go beyond reducing our imports.
*Mindset today should be ‘vocal for local’.
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*I am confident that measures like opening up space sector will generate many new employment opportunities for our youth
*FDI inflows have risen by 18 per cent in last year
*Self-sufficient India means not only reducing imports, but also increasing our skills, our creativity
*Today, many big companies of world are turning to India
*We have to move forward with mantra of ‘Make in India’ as well as ‘Make for World’
*About 7,000 projects of different sectors have been identified to bring new revolution in infrastructure
*We have to remove silos and entire country has to move towards multi-modal connectivity infrastructure
*About Rs 90,000 crore directly transferred to bank accounts of poor; over 80 crore people provided free foodgrains
*Seven crore poor families were given free gas cylinders
*Self-reliant India has an important priority -self-sufficient agriculture sector and self-reliant farmers
*An agriculture infrastructure fund of Rs one lakh crore has been created to give modern infrastructure to farmers
*Over one lakh households are being provided drinking water under Jal Jeevan mission
*Middle-class has potential and wants new opportunities
*We have decided to connect all 6,00,000 villages with optical fibres within 1,000 days
*New Education Policy aims to connect our children with their roots while making them global
*National Digital Health Mission will bring a new revolution in India’s health sector
*Three corona vaccines are in various stages of trial in India; large scale production will begin once we get nod from scientists
*Our roadmap to bring corona vaccine to all Indians in shortest possible time is ready
*It was a year of a new developmental journey for Jammu and Kashmir
*India is committed to hold assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir once delimitation exercise is complete
*Just as Sikkim has made its mark as an organic state, efforts are being made to make Ladakh a carbon-neutral region
*A special campaign with a holistic approach is also being worked out to reduce pollution in 100 selected cities of the country
*Those who challenge India’s sovereignty, be it LoC or LAC, have been given a befitting reply in their own language
*What India can do, world has seen it in Ladakh
*Respect for India’s sovereignty is supreme for us
*Today, neighbours are not only those with whom we share our geographical boundaries but also those with whom our hearts meet
*In the next 1,000 days, Lakshadweep will also be connected with high-speed internet
*We are expanding NCC in border areas; special training will be provided to about one lakh new NCC cadets
*Coronavirus may be a big challenge but not so big as to stop India’s march towards self-reliance