Video editor: Mohd Ibrahim
On the occasion of India’s 73rd Independence Day on Thursday, 15 August, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from Red Fort in Delhi. He touched upon several issues, including the revocation of Article 370, passing of the Triple Talaq Act and the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission to ensure water supply to all houses in India.
Modi also announced a new position of Chief of Defence Staff, which will oversee all the three armed forces – the Army, Air Force and Navy.
Here are the key highlights from the prime minister’s speech:
1. ‘One Nation, One Constitution a Reality’
PM Modi said within ten weeks of returning to power, his government took key decisions to fulfil the aspirations of people.
Referring to the effective revocation of Article 370, he said the previous governments made efforts in the past 70 years to deal with Kashmir, but it did not bear results. He added that “a new approach was needed.”
He said his government has dedicated itself on all fronts in the service of the country.
“The spirit of one nation, one Constitution has become a reality now. And India is proud of it,” he said. He also referred to the introduction of GST, saying it has given life to the dream of one nation, one tax.
2. Triple Talaq
Modi also referred to the passing of the Triple Talaq Act in both the Houses of the Parliament and said that scrapping of instant triple talaq will help Muslim women live a better life.
3. PM Announces Creation of Position of Chief of Defence Staff
The prime minister said the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) will ensure synergy among the three services and provide effective leadership to them.
“Our government has decided to have a Chief of Defence Staff,” Modi said.
A high-level committee set up to examine the gaps in the country's security system in the wake of the Kargil War in 1999 had called for appointment of a Chief of Defence Staff as a single-point military adviser to the defence minister.
4. Govt to Implement ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’
In his Independence Day address, Modi said half of the country's households do not have access to piped water.
5. Trade With India
PM Modi said that the world is eager to trade with India because the policy system is predictable and the government is stable.
6. Population Control
Stressing on population control, the prime minister said overpopulation will create various problems for the country in the coming years. He said that there was a need for social revolution to control population growth.
7. Boost to Tourism
Prime Minister Modi urged people to visit at least 15 tourist destinations within India by 2022, saying there is a "huge" scope to improve India's tourism sector.
He said India has much to offer, and if domestic tourism increases, international footfalls too will increase.
(With inputs from PTI)
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