At midnight on August 15, 1947, Independent India was born as its first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, proclaimed 'a tryst with destiny...a moment...which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance.' With those words he launched idea on a remarkable journey - creating a national identity out of a country that many said couldn't be a nation at all. After centuries of subjugation and struggle, when India attained independence on August 15, 1947, it was a new dawn filled with hope and promise of a better future. But challenges were enormous—poverty, illiteracy, malnutrition, and lack of any worthwhile industrial and scientific base, to name a few. Now as we look back to the seventy-five-year journey of our republic, we have reasons to be proud of the considerable distance we have travelled. Gandhiji taught us that slow and steady steps in the right direction are preferable to rapid strides in the wrong direction. The world looks up at the miracle of India, home to the plurality of traditions and yet the biggest and most vibrant democracy.

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India is recognised as an emerging world power. We are the third largest economy in terms of Purchasing Power Parity. The day may not be far when we regain our past glory of the times when India was known as Vishwa Guru and was home to great philosophers like Patanjali and Shankaracharya, doctors like Charaka and Sushruta, mathematicians like Aryabhatta and Varahmihir. It was under the leadership of the great souls like Mahatma Gandhi. Sardar Patel, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh that our freedom struggle was fought. 

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                             Our ancient culture teaches us to live in harmony with nature and all other beings. We believe that we must preserve our culture and protect nature in order to have a bright future. Yet we keep our feet on the ground. We acknowledge that we still have a long way to go in realising the dreams of those who won the freedom for us. Our Constitution neatly summarises those dreams in four words: Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. We must strive for more equality in an unequal world, more justice in unjust circumstances. Justice has come to encompass a larger range of connotations, including economic and environmental justice. The road ahead is not easy. We will have to negotiate many twists and turns, but we have the benefit of incomparable guidance. It comes to us from diverse sources, from the venerable seers of millennia ago, down to the sages and leaders of more recent times. In the spirit of “unity in diversity”, we as a nation are following the right course. This vision derived from the unique Indian heritage is going to be helpful not only to us but to the whole world in this century. Modern industrial civilization has posed serious challenges before humankind. Climate change has become a reality of life, with seas rising, glaciers melting and temperatures soaring. India is proud of not only adhering to the Paris climate agreement & COP26 goals but doing more than what the country has committed to protect the climate. However, the world desperately needs a course correction. Nature, Culture, for better future together is the motto of our philosophy. Appeasement of none & justice for all is the idea of Indian philosophy. This is why the world is increasingly turning to the wisdom of India, as created by the authors of the Vedas and Upanishads, as depicted in the Ramayana and Mahabharata, as taught by Lord Mahavira, Lord Buddha and Guru Nanak and as reflected in the lives of the likes of Mahatma Gandhi.

 

As we seek to transform India into a developed and prosperous nation, their lives and thoughts continue to inspire us. With a median age of less than 30 years, India is a young nation in an aging world & its high time to reap the demographic dividend as inferred from World Population Prospects 2022. This youthful energy needs to be channelised constructively for nation building. If our youth are sufficiently motivated and equipped with necessary skills, they can become change-makers of the society. Our development model should also be balanced. We should strive to bridge the disparities that still exist among people, communities or regions. We should endeavour to bridge the rural-urban divide and the emerging digital divide.

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                               Our goal is to develop a nation where we not only have world-class infrastructure but also move ahead with the mantra of 'Minimum government, maximum governance'. We should not limit the occasion of 75 years of Indian independence to just one ceremony of Amrit Mahotsav of freedom. We must lay the groundwork for new resolutions and move forward with new resolutions. Starting from here, the entire journey of the next 25 years, when we celebrate the centenary of Indian independence, marks the Amrit period of creation of a new India. The fulfilment of our resolutions in this Amrit period will take us to the 100th  anniversary of Indian independence with pride. The goal of 'Amrit Kaal' is to ascend to new heights of prosperity for India and the citizens of India. The goal of 'Amrit Kaal' is to create an India where the level of facilities is not dividing the village and the city. The goal of 'Amrit Kaal' is to build an India where the government does not interfere unnecessarily in the lives of citizens. The goal of 'Amrit Kaal' is to build an India where there is world’s every modern infrastructure. Our country also has to change and we as citizens have to change ourselves too. We also have to adapt ourselves to the changing era. We have started with the spirit of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas’. But from today our motto should be ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sakka Prayas & Sabka Kartavya’, which is quite vital for the achievement of our goals. In this Bharat ki Vikas Yatra, we have to ensure that we meet our goal of building an AatmaNirbhar Bharat when we celebrate 100 years of India's Independence. Over the last eight years, significant policy interventions have gone into the development space, especially for improving the country’s physical and human capital. The pandemic acted as a shock to the global economic and development domains and has affected the path to achieve the SDGs. There is no doubt that the Indian dream of achieving US$5 trillion and US$10 trillion in growth needs to be based on strong fundamentals that are enabled by the SDGs. One should know 10 selected policy interventions among many that are poised to shape a sustainable India - POSHAN Abhiyan, Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, National Skill Development Mission, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee, National Smart Cities Mission, Prime Minister Gati Shakti Mission, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan & Aadhaar.

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Gender inequalities are reducing, women are breaking many glass ceilings. Our daughters are the biggest hope for the nation. From becoming fighter pilots to space scientists, our daughters are scaling great heights. In a move towards strengthening Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao initiative, Central Government has started the admission of girls in Sainik Schools from the academic session 2021-2022. Today, be it education or Olympics our daughters are performing tremendously. We have to ensure that they get equal opportunities and they feel safe and respected. Mission Shakti is an integrated program of empowerment of women taking into account the issues affecting the sustainability of the life cycle of women. More than eight crore women in the villages are associated with Self-Help Groups and they design top-end products. India’s young generation has made our country proud at the Tokyo Olympics,  Paralympics, World Athletics Meet, and now the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. In 2022 Commonwealth Games, India’s total medal tally reached 61 with 22 gold medals. All such athletes are amongst us today. They have not only won our hearts but also inspired our young generation. 

                                                                  We are glad that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has been designed to meet the needs of a resurgent and aspirational India. Ours is one of the youngest nations in the world with over 62% of its population in the working age segment of 15-59. In this context, NEP provides a blueprint for quality school education which, when rolled out to its full scope and extent, has the potential to transform the academic landscape of the country. Now our children will neither stop due to lack of skills nor will they be bound by language barriers. This new National Education Policy is also going to be a great tool to fight against poverty in a way. The basis of winning the war against poverty is also the education, prestige and importance of the vernacular language. It is essential for planners of educational policy to build a knowledge ecosystem which would drive India’s growth. The link between research and industry is another thrust area which needs to be actively fostered. As per the report ‘Analysis of Budgeted Expenditure on Education 2017-18 to 2019-20’ of Ministry of Education, India’s total expenditure on education as percentage of GDP in 2019-20 was 4.39%. As per New Education Policy 2020, in order to attain the goal of education with excellence and the corresponding multitude of benefits to this Nation and its economy, this Policy unequivocally endorses and envisions a substantial increase in public investment in education by both the Central government and all State Governments. The Centre and the States will work together to increase the public investment in Education sector to reach 6% of GDP.

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                                          The phrase, “We the people”, in the Preamble encapsulates the essential foundation of our developmental architecture. People are at the centre of all thoughts and actions required for national development. They are the creators of their destiny. It is a matter of great pride for us that the image and stature of our nation are on the rise in a range of sectors —from economic, academic, geopolitics, defence, sports, science, to IT and space technology, among others. The governments alone cannot fulfil all these tasks. Private sector will also have to join hands. Public-Private Partnership is the way forward for India’s development. Equally important is people’s participation in the developmental programs. The success of Swachh Bharat Mission has amply demonstrated that government programs should become mass movements, owned and led by the people. At the same time, we should be proud that India registered its highest ever foreign direct investment inflow of $85 billion during the financial year 2021-22, which alone is a reflection of the priority the Government has given to manufacturing, design and innovation with an emphasis on ‘Vocal for Local’. Along with modern infrastructure, there is a great need for adopting a holistic and integrated approach in infrastructure construction. The Govt. has launched the National Master Plan - Prime Minister ‘Gati Shakti’ of Rs. 100 lakh crores that could fulfil the dreams of crores of countrymen. This scheme will result in new employment opportunities for lakhs of youth. With the spirit of a strong army and a strong nation, Agnipath scheme announced in June, 2022 is going to make our army having 18 percent youth population as young. In the first recruitment process since the announcement of the scheme 46,000 Agniveers will be recruited for 4 years. The intake of Agniveers will be increased gradually. In this, 25% of Agniveers will be given a permanent commission in the army.                       

 

                          India needs to grow at a rapid pace to raise the standard of living of the people. But this growth has to be inclusive. This growth has to be environment-friendly and sustainable. We are duty-bound to leave a liveable planet for our future generations. We are giving equal emphasis to Environmental Security as to National Security. Be it biodiversity or land neutrality, climate change or waste recycling, organic farming, India is progressing in all these sectors. In this decade of the 21st century, India will further accelerate its efforts towards the Blue Economy. The Deep Ocean Mission is the result of our ambition to explore the unlimited possibilities of the ocean. The mineral wealth which is hidden in the sea, the thermal energy which is in the sea water, can give new heights to the development of the country. 

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Green Hydrogen is the future of the world. Govt. announced the setting up of the National Hydrogen Mission & NITI Aayog has even unveiled the Green Hydrogen Policy. 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. New opportunities from Green Growth to Green Job are opening up today for our start-ups & youth. India ranks globally 3rd in Start-Up ecosystem. The success of start-ups in our country, especially the growing number of unicorns is a shining example of our industrial progress. India has also made a move towards Electric Mobility and the work on 100% electrification of Railways is also progressing at a fast pace. Indian Railways has set a target of becoming Net Zero Carbon Emitter by 2030. The world's largest solar park started in Bhadla, Rajasthan with capacity of  2,200 MW. In line with the resolution to create 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by the completion of 75 years of independence, PM recently dedicated to the nation the 92-MW floating solar power project set up at the National Thermal Power Corporation's (NTPC) Kayamkulam unit at Ramagundam in Telangana.

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                The country is also emphasizing on Mission Circular Economy. Our Vehicle Scrap Policy is a great example of the same. Today, India is the only country in the group of G-20 countries, which is moving fast towards achieving its climate goals. India has set a target of 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030. As of July, 2022 we have installed 167 GW  of non-fossil fuels based energy capacity— which is 41 per cent of the total installed electricity capacity of 403 GW. India achieved, and surpassed its nationally determined contribution (NDC) target 9 years before the 2030 deadline - which was 40% capacity by non - fossil fuel sources by 2030.

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                             We will have to work together for manufacturing world class products, using cutting-edge innovation and new age technology. India is on the cusp of a major transformation. Our aim is to build an ecosystem where everyone can reach his or her full potential and lead a fulfilling and meaningful life. The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the normal course of life and has put tremendous stress in our lives. But good news is the manner in which we have carefully calibrated our collective response to the pandemic. Our resolve and resilience have made us endure the negative impact and prompted us to tap into our innate strengths to meet the challenge. We are also turning this threat into an opportunity by moving towards Atma Nirbharta or self-reliance. It is a moment of pride for us that because of our scientists, we were able to develop Make in India COVID Vaccines – Covishield, Covaxin, GEMCOVAC – 19, Ancovax & Zydus Cadila; and carry out the world's Largest Vaccine Drive. It was extremely difficult to get vaccines during such a major crisis, with pandemic plaguing the entire world. India might or might not have received it and even if it had received the vaccine there was no certainty of getting that in time. But today we can proudly say that the world's largest & fastest vaccination programme is being run in our country. "Once the people of India decide to do something, nothing is impossible," Prime Minister Narendra Modi once said. By reaching the extraordinary target of 200 crore vaccine doses within 18 months of launching the inoculation exercise, the country has not only earned the Prime Minister's trust, but has also made the 75th anniversary of independence a memorable one. During the Covid pandemic, we achieved a lot more than many developed nations. We are grateful to the scientists and Covid warriors for this. India has also supplied 24 crore vaccine doses to the world under Vaccine Maitri following the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Online systems like CoWin and digital certificates are attracting the world today.

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To further increase our developmental progress, we have to focus on our manufacturing and export. The country has also announced Production Linked Incentive as well as Design Linked Incentive to consolidate our Make in India campaign in the wake of the new economic conditions that have emerged due to Corona. The electronic manufacturing sector stands as an example of the change that is enforced through this scheme. Seven years ago, we used to import mobile phones worth about eight billion dollars. However, now the import has reduced considerably, and today we are also exporting mobile phones worth three billion dollars. Treading ahead on the path of development, India will have to augment both its manufacturing and exports. We are going to witness commissioning of India’s  first indigenous Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant  in the Navy. Today India is making its own indigenous fighter aircraft, its own submarine. Gaganyaan & Aditya L1 Mission is also slated to hoist India's flag in space. This itself is evidential of our immense capabilities in indigenous manufacturing. In this context, the Government of India’s multi-pronged initiatives such as Make In India, Start Up India and Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency Ltd (MUDRA) deserve special mention. Rs 9.98 lakh crore sanctioned to 16.67 crore loan accounts under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana in 3 years & helped in generation of 1.12 crore net additional employment. The Government of India’s agile approach with nimble economic policies have, in a great measure, cushioned the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

                                                         A home of one’s own is no longer a dream for the poor, but a reality for more and more people, thanks to the ‘Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana’. Similarly, under the ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’, tap water connection is being provided to every household since the launch of the ‘Har Ghar Jal’ scheme. Just as we have made electricity accessible to 100% households, and have made authentic efforts to construct toilets in 100% households, similarly, we now have to move ahead with the goal of achieving saturation of schemes, and, for this, we do not have to keep a distant deadline. We have to make our resolutions come true within a few years. Now, we have to move even further. 100% villages should have roads, 100% households should have a bank account, 100% beneficiaries should have Ayushman Bharat card, 100% eligible persons should have gas connection under Ujjwala scheme and 100% beneficiaries should have Awaas. As on July,2022, 9.34 Crore LPG Connections have been released under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojna (PMUY) scheme (including Ujjwala 2.0). During last two years, 2.26 crore people have benefited under the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) scheme. As of 21st July 2022, a total of 18.54 crore Ayushman Bharat cards have been issued under the AB-PMJAY. Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (ABHIM) is the largest Pan-India scheme for creation and operationalization of public health infrastructure from block level to district-state and central level & fill the critical gaps in health infrastructure, surveillance and health research. Also, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) provides for Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA), to establish National Digital Health Ecosystem. Under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, more than 2 lakhs kms. road have been constructed till now. With the target of “Housing for all”, under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana, more than 3 crore urban and rural houses have been approved. We have to move ahead with a mindset of 100% percent achievement. Till now, no thought was given for our street vendors, who sell their goods on tracks, footpaths and carts. All these colleagues are now being linked to the banking system through the SVANidhi scheme. As of July 2022, 33.34 lakh loans amounting to ₹3,615 crore have been disbursed under PM SVANidhi scheme. We have to move forward with the goal of ensuring that every citizen is connected with government's transformative schemes. In the last few years, government has provided roads and electricity to the villages. Now these villages have been strengthened with optical fibre network data and the Internet.

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Within 3 years of Jal Jeevan Mission – Har Ghar Jal, over 9 Crore households have started receiving Nal Se Jal; this is the main achievement when the benefit reaches the last mile citizen. Under the 'Sujal' mission of Odisha, Puri became the first city in India where people can avail high quality drinking water directly from the tap on 24-hour basis which is based on 'Drink from Tap' project by Odisha Government.

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Poshan is also another the key focus of the government. 11.80 crore children from 11.20 lakh schools are covered under PM Poshan scheme. The government has also been working on preventive healthcare, and building health and wellness infrastructure. The way India has kept the stoves burning for the poor's house by providing free food grains to 80 crore countrymen continuously for months during the pandemic is not only astonishing to the world but also a matter of discussion. Under the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC), beneficiaries covered under the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) can get their quota  of subsidized food-grains from any electronic point of sale device (ePoS).

We need to provide hand holding to the backward categories and sectors. With the concern of fulfilling the basic needs, reservation is being ensured for the Dalits, Backward classes, Adivasis and the poor people from general category. More recently, in the field of medical education, reservation has also been ensured for the OBC category in the All-India Quota. By formulating a law in Parliament, states have been given the right to make their own list of OBC.

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There is a huge potential in the fields of tourism, adventure sports, organic farming, herbal medicine, and oil pump in the North East. We have to fully harness this potential and make it a part of the development journey of the country. And we have to complete this work within a few decades of the ‘Amrit Kaal’. Giving a fair opportunity to the capabilities of all is the true spirit of democracy. Be it Jammu or Kashmir, the balance of development is now visible on the ground. Whether East, North East, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, the entire Himalayan region, our coastal belt or tribal region, these will become a big base for India's development in the future. Under the Act-East Policy, today North-East, Bangladesh, Myanmar and South-East Asia are also being connected. Due to the efforts made in the past years, now the enthusiasm for the creation of Shrestha Bharat and long-lasting peace in the North-East has increased manifold.

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We are witnessing a new phase in the developmental journey of our villages. It not only has electricity and water but also nurturing Digital Entrepreneurs. Priority is being given to schemes related to education, health, nutrition, roads, employment, in over 110 aspirational districts of the country. Many of these districts are in tribal areas. We have to focus on helping our small farmers. We have to give maximum benefits of the government's schemes to them; be it through DBT or Krishi Rail. The government is now focusing on welfare of small farmers. Under, PM KISAN 11 Crore farmer families have directly received over ₹2 lakh crores in their bank accounts. SVAMITVA Yojna is transforming the lives in rural India. Drone is helping our rural citizens to map their land and apply for various schemes/loans online.  Under SVAMITVA scheme, in 1.6 lakh villages drone flying is completed & in 50,315 villages property cards have been prepared. In the coming years, we will have to increase the collective power of the small farmers of the country. They have to be given new facilities. 46.05 Crore beneficiaries banked so far ₹171,873.45 Crore Balance in Jan Dhan accounts. Under the Jan Aushadhi Yojana, the poor and needy are now getting affordable medicines. Over 75,000 Health & Wellness Centres have been built and we are working on a network of hospitals at the block level. The Digital India campaign has brought the power of the Internet to the poor living in the villages through about 5 lakh Common Service Centers.

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Co-operatives are not just a system with a network of laws and rules, but co-operative is a spirit, culture, and a mindset of collective growth. The Government have taken steps to empower the cooperative sector in the states by forming a Ministry of Cooperation.

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The nature of global relations has changed after the Second World War. There is a possibility of a new world order post Corona. The world has seen and appreciated India's efforts during Corona. Today the world is looking at India from a new perspective. There are two important aspects of this perception -- one is terrorism and the other is expansionism. India is fighting both these challenges and is also responding strongly in a restrained manner. Our defense preparedness has to be equally strong if India has to fulfil its obligations properly. Our youth is the 'Can Do' Generation, and they can achieve everything they set their mind to. Our actions today will determine our future. Our today will set the theme of our 100 years of India's Independence. We have to be as powerful as we were never before. We have to change our habits. We have to re-awaken ourselves. Today in this era of globalisation we are encircled with new challenges & threat to the pride of Indian democracy namely, - 

• communalism

• federalism

• new way of imparting education post COVID

• equal justice to all

• changing climate

• socio-economic divide post Corona

• Gender equality

• positive economic growth

• rising unemployment along with the crisis of underemployment, and many other micro level socio - economic issues that need to be addressed carefully as well as sincerely if we are aspiring to be the Global superpower with $5 trillion economy.

 

In this 75th year of independence, it is our duty to move forward believing in the immense potential of the country. We have to work together for new generation infrastructure; we have to work together for world class manufacturing; we have to work together for cutting edge innovations; we have to work together for new age technology.