Modi From The Ramparts: Pragati With Gati: Swarajya to Surajya: POK/Gilgit-Baltistan to Balochistan
In a
wide-ranging exposition from the ramparts of Red Fort, New Delhi, Prime
Minister Modi gave out a nuanced message, highlighting the accomplishments and
concerns of his government.
Modi’s penchant for slogans intact, he described the
endeavours of governance going forward to: ‘reform, perform and transform’.
Despite a heightened security threat, borne out by LoC
violations overnight, and attacks on a CRPF position in downtown Srinagar, there
was no bullet-proof enclosure, now for the 3rd time.
The terrorist attacks generally, in fact, underline a
significant juxtaposition: blasts near the US embassy in Kabul, gunfire and a
shut-down at JFK Airport!
But, to keep things pointedly humdrum, there was little
visible security, as Modi, in a celebratory saffron-streaked safaa,
spoke sonorously and at length, from under
the proudly fluttering Indian flag.
Recurring themes throughout at this &0th
Independence Day address, were the much improved speed of implementation, the
cutting out of corruption, continuity of governance, unity of the country, and
a reliance on online-based delivery; all Modi hallmarks – more-so as prime
minister.
Infrastructure featured prominently, with a view to
provide ‘integrated development’: village roads, electricity generation/transmission,
solar power, railway modernisation, reworking post offices into payment banks, reaching
those people that were neglected for decades, those in the last mile.
The revival of 270 projects, launched by previous
governments, underlined his government’s commitment to continuity and refusal
to let tax-payer money go to waste.
Legislative gains were enumerated: GST of course, but
also the mint new Maternity Bill, and earlier-the Real Estate Bill.
There has been the renegotiation of the long-term gas
supply agreement with Qatar in our favour. Modi cited the bold move to develop
Chabahar Port and related infrastructure in Iran, and the long-pending border
agreement with Bangladesh.
FDI too has been much enhanced. Relations with other countries,
near and far, have been strengthened.
Several PSU’s have been returned to operational profits:
BSNL, Shipping Corporation of India, Air India.
Coal availability for power generation has been restored
to necessary standards, and the work is on for ‘one nation, one grid, one price’,
and hopefully, cheaper and plentiful electricity, as an outcome.
Modi addressed the efforts being made to provide
opportunities and employment to over 800 million youth under the age of 35, who
make up the country’s democratic dividend, employment in new factories, better skilling,
widespread micro-credit for enterprise.
He outlined the progress and results from many government
programmes, particularly those aimed at alleviating the conditions of the poor.
Speed and its efficacy was also described in different
fields, agriculture- including steps taken to address greater dal cultivation,
including the arranging of supplies to alleviate temporary shortages.
The provision of high performance seeds, and their
scientific development, running into 130 new ones; soil-mapping for appropriate
cultivation strategies, fertilizer availability, the banishing of urea
shortages, micro-irrigation for ‘more crop per drop’, solar pumps etc.
Administrative gains were proudly outlined: Modi spoke of
the hassle-free speed gained in the issue of 1.25 crore passports. Of the vast
improvements in income tax refund administration. Of online registrations at over 400 leading
government hospitals.
The beti bachao, beti padhao programme was mentioned for its significance
towards the enhancement of female education and its potential to transform
entire families.
Modi pointed out his government’s aggressive provision of
cooking gas to outlying areas, and the building of toilets in 70,000 villages.
The AADHAR card reach has gone from 4 crore people to
over 70 crore and counting, forming a bridge for delivery of services and subsidies.
Likewise, there have been vast improvements in pension
and EPF administration, the implementation of OROP, and so on.
Modi pointed out that interviews for Class C and Class D
personnel recruitment has been abolished, saving on time, money, and corruption.
The lesser known contribution of Adivasis to the freedom
movement was mentioned, probably for the first time ever.
Modi remembered the great sacrifices and bravery of the nation’s
security forces, and made it clear that terrorism would never be tolerated.
However, misguided youth were welcome to return to the mainstream.
But the biggest departure from the script, was a
reiteration of the changed policy towards Pakistan, outlined recently at the
All Parties Meeting to discuss Kashmir.
Modi sternly disapproved of terrorists being eulogised by
‘certain countries’. This even when human rights abuses were both routine and
rife in illegally occupied POK, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Balochistan.
And, he said, the leadership and people of these regions,
have in turn, enthusiastically welcomed Indian support to their quest for
liberation from Pakistan’s long-standing oppression.
For: ABP Live
(750 words)
August 15th 2016
Gautam Mukherjee
No comments:
Post a Comment