advertisement
As prime minister Narendra Modi delivers his fourth Independence Day speech, The Quint debates whether the claims on the front of foreign policy, internal security and economy are reassuring. You can read the View by Shashi Tharoor here.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day Speech, as usual, had some clear takeaways – to be specific, three!
At the outset, his message was of sensitivity towards those who have suffered in recent tragic incidents, especially the painful deaths of children at a Gorakhpur hospital. Also, he expressed grief towards those who have faced loss of family in recent floods and other natural calamities.
The third takeaway was his sense of urgency. At the end of his speech, he came out as a man in a hurry with genuine passion for increasing the pace of national development in a time-bound manner.
Also read: The Gap Between Rhetoric and Reality in PM Modi’s I-Day Speech
Prime Minister Modi is known for well-structured speeches. His treatment to his speech is like that of an artiste. Like every other work, he treats his speech as a piece of art, ensuring a perfect choice of words, measured voice modulation, an artful interweaving of logically presented thoughts, and a deep emotional appeal. Besides that, he also has cultivated an inimitable style of taking his countrymen into confidence.
Free from the artificial burden of secularism, the nation saw a Prime Minister unhesitatingly wishing all his countrymen for Janmashtami. In those hundreds of kids right before him, he saw Krishna as a child. His linking Krishna with a Sudarshan-Chakra in his hand to Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi working on wheel of a Charkha was something remarkable, while underscoring the continuity of our civilisational heritage.
Juxtaposed with his appeal for rededicating ourselves to the cause of creating a New India, free from casteism, communalism, corruption, poverty and dirt, these references to these motivating chapters of our history make perfect sense.
Also read: Watch: What PM Modi Wants The Nation to Know From His I-Day Speech
Also important was his reference to Kashmir, underscoring once again that indulgence in name-calling or violence will not lead to any enduring solution to the vexed issue. Without any ambiguity, he forthrightly pointed out that love, affection and compassion is the only way ahead in Jammu and Kashmir.
Although there were no new announcements of any welfare programmes, the Prime Minister used this opportunity to report to the people the progress on the fronts of social and economic security.
The Modi government has faced several taunts and derisive remarks about its efforts to eradicate black money and end corruption. In this backdrop, he made three important revelations.
Also read: Modi’s I-Day Speech: Quiet on Big Issues, May Fuel Business Fears
Similarly, his bold assertion that some three lakh shell companies were found after demonetisation and over half of which have now been deregistered, was important for multiple reasons.
A few months ago, PM Modi had said that while his government can make some bonafide mistakes, its intentions cannot be challenged. This unchallenged purity of purpose is the most hard-earned jewel of Prime Minister Modi’s treasure. No wonder, the Opposition is and will be leaving no stone unturned to steal this jewel. All these elaborate references to his war on corruption in the Prime Minister’s speech are an indication that he realises this fact.
There also appears a discerning theme of taking everybody together through his repeated references to Team India, his mention of ‘Bharat Jodo’ and and his reaching out to women suffering from the injustices caused by Triple Talaq! His evidently integrationist approach was aimed at preparing the people to collectively work for a New India.
And he hastened to reassure that the Tantra will work for Lok, and not the other way around. That the PM wants to ‘hasten slowly’ was also evident with his reference to the new Millenials – those born in 2000 – becoming voters in January next.
Again, his drawing parallels between 1942-47 and 2017-22 was remarkable.
(Vinay Sahasrabuddhe is a Member of Parliament representing Maharashtra in the Rajya Sabha. He is also the serving national vice president of Bharatiya Janata Party. The views expressed are the author’s own. The Quint neither endorses nor is responsible for the same.)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)
Published: 15 Aug 2017,07:22 PM IST