PM Modi's Independence Day speech: Highlights

Published: Saturday, August 15, 2015, 13:29 [IST]

New Delhi, Aug 15: In his address to the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today talked about a lot of issues and underlined India's unity and diversity.

Modi, in his second Independence Day address, focussed largely on the issue of corruption and asserted that the steps taken by his government over the last 15 months to deal with the "termite" had started yielding results.

PM Modi's Independence Day speech: Highlights.

Here are few of the highlights of what PM said in his speech:

He said the poison of casteism and communal frenzy have no place in the country.
"The poor want to move away from poverty and that is why, all our programmes must be for the poor. All our programmes and institutions should be helpful to the poor; have to empower them through financial inclusion," said PM Modi.
Talking about the Jan Dhan Yojana, PM Modi said, "Bank accounts are essential for integrating poor into the financial system, 17 crore people opened accounts under Jan Dhan Yojna."
The issue of 'One Rank One Pension' came up in front on every government, but the issue could not be solved. But , I assure the ex-servicemen that the scheme will be implemented. Some talks are still on. The way the talks are going on I am expecting something positive.
Last time from the Red Fort I spoke about toilets and cleanliness. The movement towards cleanliness touched the hearts of many people.
Almost 4.25 lakh toilets were built in 2.62 lakh schools nationwide in one year. PM Modi also said that children of India gaev maximum strength to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan.
We introduced Shrameva Jayate Yojana which is an an effort to change the way we look at the workers of India.
Talking about corruption, PM said, "India can be free of corruption but we need lots of measures. We have to start from top."
Modi also talked about the LPG subsidy and told the country that 20 lakh Indians have given up their LPG subsidy.
Coal block auction has been undertaken by the govt, national exchequer will get Rs 3 lakh crore.