What Major announcements were made by PM Modi on 75th Independence Day?
India celebrated its 75 years of independence on Sunday. On the special occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the Red Fort, New Delhi. During his 90 minutes long address, the Prime Minister talked about a range of subjects including economy, agriculture and infrastructure. He also congratulated the sportspersons who won medals in the Tokyo Olympics and paid tribute to frontline Covid workers for their ongoing fight against the global pandemic. Talking about the journey over the next 25 years and its role for the creation of a new India, PM Modi made several announcements for the development of the nation.
Here are the key announcements made by PM Modi on Independence Day
Gati Shakti Yojana
The Prime Minister announced a Rs 100 lakh crore Gati Shakti National infrastructure master plan with an aim to bring employment opportunities to the youth and to help develop new economic zones across the country.
This plan will lay the foundation of holistic Infrastructure and will lead to an integrated and holistic pathway to the country’s economy.
“Right now, there is no coordination between our means of transport. Gati Shakti will break the silos, and will remove all these obstacles. This will reduce the travel time for the common man and the productivity of our industry will also increase,” PM Modi said.
75 Vande Bharat Trains
Making a big announcement for transportation and railway, The PM announced that 75 Vande Bharat trains will be connecting different parts of the country in the 75 weeks of Amrit Mahotsav of Independence. Vande Bharat is an indigenous semi-high speed train set.
Sainik Schools for girls
Another big announcement was related to Sainik schools. The PM announced that girls will now be able to take admission in all-boys Sainik Schools from the academic session 2021-22. Sainik Schools under the Ministry of Defence (MoD) prepare students for entry into the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Indian Naval Academy (INA).
“The Doors of the schools should be opened for them. We did a pilot project in the Sainik School of Mizoram two-two and half years ago by giving admission to our daughters. Now the Government has decided that all the Sainik Schools will be open for girls. Daughter too will study in all the Sainik Schools of the Country,” he said.
National Hydrogen Mission
Amidst the increasing concerns over climate change and environmental degradation, governments and policymakers across the world need to make environmental friendly policies. On Independence Day , Prime Minister Modi announced the launch of the National Hydrogen Mission with an aim to make India the global production hub for clean hydrogen fuel production and export. The mission also aims to make India self-reliant in clean energy and create new jobs.
“We have to make India a Global Hub for Green Hydrogen Production and Export in the ‘Amrit Kaal’. This will not only help India to make a new progress in the field of energy self-reliance but will also become a new inspiration for Clean Energy Transition all over the world,” he said.
E-commerce platform for Self-Help Groups
To encourage self help groups, Prime Minister Modi announced the creation of an e-commerce platform especially for selling products prepared by women associated with Self Help Groups. “There are more than 8 crore sisters in the village who are associated with our self-help groups and they make more than one product. Now the government will prepare an e-commerce platform for their products to get a big market in the country and abroad,” said PM Modi.
Fortifying rice by 2024
To fight malnutrition, and ensure the availability of nutrition to the people, the PM announced that all rice distributed through government schemes will be fortified by the year 2024. Fortification is a process of increasing the content of an essential micronutrient in a food item to improve its nutritional value.
“The government will fortify the rice which it gives to the poor under its different schemes and will give nutritious rice to the poor. Whether it is rice available at ration shops, rice available in mid-day meals, rice available through every scheme will be fortified by the year 2024,” said the PM.
(With News agencies Inputs)
