Speaking on the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong push for the development of the nation. “By the 100th year of Independence, we have to work with the vision of accomplishing what our freedom fighters dreamt of,” Modi said. He called on youth in particular to devote themselves to this goal, encouraging, “We must resolve to work towards a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) and remove any vestiges of colonialism from any corner or in our hearts.”
“In the coming years, we have to focus on ‘Panchpran’ (5 pledges). First: to move forward with bigger resolutions and resolve of developed India; second: to erase all traces of servitude; third: be proud of our legacy; fourth: the strength of unity; and fifth: the duties of citizens that also includes the PM and CMs,” Modi said, referring to the Prime Minister and Chief Ministers of the states. “We will work towards the development of the entire humanity. That is the strength of India,” he stressed.
The Prime Minister also referenced the freedom fighters of India’s past, including Mohandas K. Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose, Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, and numerous others. “When the dreams are big, hard work is important. It needs to be inspired by the pledge and the determination of freedom fighters who dreamt of a free India,” Modi said.
