I have enjoyed Independence day by doing nothing at home. I don't remember, why but I have never listened to any of the PM's speech live on TV. However, this time I decided to hear the speech since it was Narendra Modi's speech. Had heard and read lot of things about him, how good his oratory skills are and his vision of India. I was not disappointed. He gave a speech for about 70 minutes..And I listened to his speech repeat for about 70 times on TV. His speech was that good. There were many 'first time'things which he did and there are many things which were very laudable and impressive.
| PM at Red Fort on Independence day |
I have tried to compile few of the things which I liked and remembered. Please note, that it may not be the same order as he spoke.
First of all, he was one of the very few PM who didn't wear a bullet proof jacket while giving a speech from the box at the Red Fort.
| PM at Red Fort addressing Independence speech |
Secondly, he said Main Pradhan Mantri nahin hun, main Pradhan Sevak hun, main aapka Sevak hun. Indirectly people working under him, may they be chief of Army or navy or ministers they too become sevaks!!!.. he said this by citing a difference between a job and a service. When you ask a person in a private sector, what he / she does, they say main job karta/karti hun but the same question when you ask a government employee he says main service karta hun..Mr. PM said, service meaning they are public servants and not masters. They are here to serve the people ...He said it has become a common practice of bribing the people to get the work done. "mujhe kya milega...This should be removed. There should be transparency in the work.
Secondly, he was the only PM who after the speech mingled with the school kids and the teachers!!!
| PM mingling with school kids |
It is very right and true that if you want to develop, you first start from your home...In his entire speech he never blamed other parties neither touched upon Pakistan or Kashmir issues. He spoke about very basic issues which are very necessary for the upliftment of the society. It is indeed necessary to start the development from the roots.
He talked about rape, girls women. He said when parents ask the girl, where she is going, whom she is going with, when she will be coming back, do they ask the same questions to their SON? it is high time that they start asking these questions to their son and not to their daughters..Their would be less incidences of rape and harassment of the women. He gave the example: if one family had five sons, it wouldn't give them guarantee that they would look after their old parents. But on the other hand, if in one family if there is only one girl, then she would sacrifice everything to look after her parents!!!
He talked about dignity of women. He said how women wait for the night to attend nature's call. It is a shame that their are no basic facilities for the women.
He also called for 'Corporate's' to help build separate toilets for boys and girls as their contribution towards social responsibility activity.
He remarked that how people will think him as crazy or mad for not talking about big big developments / policy things on the Independence day speech at historical Red Fort but talking about TOILETS!!!
He talked about Make in India / Made in India..he wanted India to make a Skilled India...He wanted to stop imports and increase exports. For that he said we need to develop skilled people. He said even if One person develops a unique thing which will help in avoiding imports, it would be a great achievement. He wanted "Zero Defect and Zero Effect". He said our products should have zero defect and it should have zero effect on our exports.
He also talked about Digital India. He said once upon a time people used to say that Railways connect people, but now it is the technology that connects people.
He also talked about e-governance.. He said by e-governance he meant easy governance, economy governance.
He wanted India to be a better tourist place and in order to become that he said first it has to be clean India. He said it is not only the responsibility of government but of the people also to keep the surrounding clean.
In order to do that, he announced a award for the best 'model village'. This was indeed a very good idea. Every village will strive to become a model village and in turn will be developed clean village.
He said we fought with Britishers to get freedom. Now we need to fight within ourselves to get rid of poverty and dirt.
He narrated one incidence of two kids killing the pigeon. Pigeon is injured and it fells down. Both the kids fight for it. They go their mother for justice. They ask the mother who is greater ? the one who killed or the one who helped the pigeon to survive. Mother says the one who helped the pigeon to surveive is greater than the one who killed. That kid was Gautam Buddha..Bachane wala shrehstha hota hai marne wala nahin!!
He also gave the example of the people of Nepal as to how they have changed. There are lesser incidences of communal riots,
He said, Hum badlenge, tabhi desh badlega. It starts from "US"...NOT USA
He gave examples of the SAARC nations, esp Nepal, narrated the ideas and thoughts of Gandhiji, Jay Prakash Narayan, Swami Vivekanand, Lal Bahadur Shastri.
He said he could say all these things because he too have gone through these situations. He understands the plight of the people. He too came from a very average family.
When I heard him, I also felt I too should contribute something. To start with, I decided to to do 2 things: first of all I will be free of ILL thoughts which may / will come to my mind..Never to think ill about people / or be jealous. One doesn't do these things consciously but sometimes it happens!!!.. Even if it happens unconsciously , I will remove it consciously.
Secondly, I have decided I will keep Rs 100/- aside every month for my maid servant and will give it to her at the end of 6 months or 12 months. She will have lumpsum amount in her hand. Ofcourse without telling her!!!...
Thirdly, Have noticed that at our main signal on the highway, vagabonds have captured the area under the highway and have dirtied the place. They have captured even the footpath..Everything there is a filth. Will try to do something about that so that atleast the approach road to Thakur Village is clean.
