PM Modi: India was the world’s 10th largest economy in 2014, but now it stands at fifth spot, thanks to anti-corruption efforts and strong economy. India will continue to rise and become one of the top three economies in the world in the next five years.
\Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during his address on the country’s 77th Independence Day, in New Delhi, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023. (PTI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing the nation on the 77th Independence Day of India from Red Fort, noted that India was the world’s 10th largest economy in 2014, but now it stands at fifth spot.
“When we came to power in 2014, we were at the 10th position in the global economic system. Today, with the efforts of 140 Crore Indians, we have reached the fifth position, This did not happen just like that. The demon of corruption that had the country in its clutches – we stopped leakages and created a strong economy,” the Prime Minister said in his 10th consecutive Independence Day speech today.
He said, “’Nation First’ bedrock of our policies; people formed such govt in 2014 and 2019 that gave me strength to pull off reforms. In 2014, people decided that to take the country forward, a stable and strong government is needed; India was freed from the era of instability.”
The Prime Minister asserted that India will not stop now as all rating agencies are lauding the country. “As new world order emerged after World War, I can see a new world order taking shape after COVID-19.”
PM Modi to lead Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort with around 1,800 special guests invited from different vocations.
15 August is a special day for Indians as they celebrate Independence Day every year to pay tribute to India’s freedom fighters and leaders who fought for freedom.
PM Modi will lead the nation in marking the 77th Independence Day on 15 August as the stage is set for celebrations at the Red Fort. As per the release by the Defence Ministry, around 1,800 people from different vocations, with their spouses, have been invited as ‘Special Guests’ to attend the celebrations.
PM Modi will unfurl the national flag and deliver the customary address to the nation from the ramparts of the historic monument. A large number of guests have been invited as compared to the figures last year. The invitation to about 1,800 ‘Special Guests’ has been extended in line with the government’s vision of ‘Jan Bhagidari’, the ministry said.
Special guest invited for Independence Day
As per the statement, the ‘Special Guests’ include over 400 sarpanches of more than 660 vibrant villages; 250 from farmer producer organisations scheme; 50 participants each of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme and Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana; 50 Shram Yogis (construction workers) of the Central Vista Project, including the New Parliament Building; 50 each Khadi workers, those involved in construction of border roads, making of Amrit Sarovar and Har Ghar Jal Yojana.
Apart from them, 50 each primary school teachers, nurses and fishermen too have been invited for the celebration at the Red fort.
Some of these Special Guests are scheduled to visit the National War Memorial and call on Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt as part of their stay in Delhi, the statement read.
Seventy-five couples from each state and Union Territory, in their traditional attire, have also been invited to witness the ceremony at Red Fort, it said.
As per ANI report, the 76th Independence Day ceremony will also witness the presence of 50 distinguished ‘Karmyogis’ (Corporals) from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), along with their spouses, as special guests. For the 1st time in the history of Indian independence and in the remarkable 63-year journey of the Border Roads Organisation, 50 members of the Corporal rank have received an exclusive invitation to be part of the Independence Day celebrations in person. This historic occasion holds immense significance as it acknowledges the unceasing hard work, resilience, and determination exhibited by the Karmyogis of the BRO in safeguarding and enhancing our national borders.
Selfie Points
Selfie points have been dedicated to different schemes and initiatives of the government have also been installed at 12 locations, including National War Memorial, India Gate, Vijay Chowk, New Delhi Railway Station, Pragati Maidan, Raj Ghat, Jama Masjid Metro Station, Rajiv Chowk Metro Station, Delhi Gate Metro Station, ITO Metro Gate, Naubat Khana and Sheesh Ganj Gurudwara, the ministry statement said.
The schemes/initiatives include Global Hope: Vaccine & Yoga; Ujjwala Yojana; Space Power; Digital India; Skill India; Start-up India; Swachh Bharat; Sashakt Bharat, Naya Bharat; Powering India; Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Jal Jeevan Mission.
As part of the celebrations, an online selfie contest will be conducted by Ministry of Defence on MyGov portal from August 15-20. All official invites have been sent online through aamantran portal, and 17,000 e-invitation cards have been issued through the portal, the statement said.
According to the advisory, the roads around Red Fort will remain closed for general traffic from 4am to 11am on Sunday and only labelled vehicles will be permitted in the restricted areas.
Ahead of Independence Day, a full-dress rehearsal ceremony will be held on Sunday.
India is all set to celebrate the 77th Independence Day on Tuesday, and to ensure a smooth vehicular movement across the national capital the Delhi Police has issued a traffic advisory for a full-dress rehearsal ceremony on August 13, Sunday.
“In view of #IndependenceDay Full Dress Rehearsal on August 13, 2023, #DelhiTrafficPolice advises commuters to avoid these roads and take alternate routes at the mentioned timings,” The Delhi Traffic Police tweeted, along with a map detailing the route of the parade, suggested routes and bus terminating points, apart from traffic restrictions.
According to the advisory, the roads around Red Fort will remain closed for general traffic from 4am to 11am on Sunday and only labelled vehicles will be permitted in the restricted areas. The roads that will remain closed are:
Netaji Subhash Marg from Delhi Gate to Chatta Rail
Lothian Road from GPO Delhi to Chatta Rail
SP Mukherjee Marg from HC Sen Marg to Yamuna Bazar Chowk
Chandni Chowk road from Ring road to Netaji Subhash Marg
Esplanade road and its Link Road to Netaji Subhash Marg
Ring Road to Rajghat to ISBT
Outer ring road from ISBT to IP flyover i.e. Salimarbagh bypass
Additionally, vehicles which do have parking labels for the rehearsal are advised to avoid C-Hexagon, India Gate, Copernics Marg, Mandi House, Sikandra Road, W Point, A point Tikal Marg, Mathura Road, BSZ Marg, Netaji Subhash Marg, JL Nehru Marg, Ring Road between Nizamuddin Khatta and ISBT Kashmere Gate and Outer Ring Road from Nizamuddin Khatta and ISBT via Salimarbagh Bypass.
There will be restrictions on the movement of commercial vehicles and interstate buses as well. Goods vehicles will not be permitted between Nizamuddin Khatta and Wazirabad Bridge from 12:00 midnight of August 12 to 11:00am on August 13. Interstate buses will not be allowed between Maharan Pratap ISBT and Sarai Kale Khan ISBT from 12:00 midnight August 12 to 11:00am on August 13, the advisory said.
