New Delhi, Aug 15 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hoisted the National Flag at the historic Red Fort on the occasion of 74th Independence Day, stressing upon improving health care, building self-reliant India and enhancing national security, while the celebrations remained subdued, due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
Mr Modi, in his seventh consecutive Independence Day address, announced "National Digital Health Mission" to digitalise the heath care system. Under the mission, Mr Modi said all citizens will be given a heath card, which will have every medical information of the person.
"All your tests, every disease, which doctor gave you which medicine, when, what were your reports, all these information will be contained in this one health ID," Mr Modi stated.
At the ceremony, over 4,000 people, including diplomats, officials and media personnel, were invited. Social distancing norms were in place. However, performance by school children was given a miss.
Mr Modi said the government is fighting the pandemic at a war-footing and soon, a vaccine will be developed.
'Today, not one or two, but three vaccines of Corana are currently under testing phase in India. As soon as the green signal is received from the scientists, mass production of these vaccines will be launched,' he said.
For another health crisis- air pollution, the Prime Minister said a special campaign in 100 selected cities of the country is being worked on.
On the recent standoff with China at the Line of Actual Control, Mr Modi said whenever anyone rose an eye on the sovereignty of the country, the Army responded in the same language.
'Respect for India's sovereignty is supreme for us. What our brave soldiers can do for this resolution, what the country can do, the world has seen in Ladakh," the Prime Minister warned.
Interestingly, Mr Modi neither took China nor Pakistan's name in his address to the nation.
He emphasised of self-reliant India or "Atmanirbhar Bharat" and urged the citizens to promote domestic industries and become "more vocal for local".
"National Infrastructure pipeline project worth Rs 110 lakh crore will boost our overall infrastructure projects. We will now focus on multi-model connectivity infrastructure. We can't work in silos anymore; we need to focus on comprehensive and integrated infrastructure," Mr Modi said.
He further said that over 7,000 projects of different sectors have also been identified, which will bring a new revolution in infrastructure sector.
Mr Modi gave the new mantra of 'Make for World' to transform the Indian economy from import to export- oriented. He gave the example of N-95 mask and ventilators, which once imported, are now being exported.
For Agriculture sector, Mr Modi said an 'Agriculture Infrastructure Fund' of Rs one lakh crore has been created for modernisation.
The Prime Minister lauded the new National Education Policy, which came after decades, and claimed that it will help building modern and more prosperous India.
Mr Modi highlighted the first anniversary of abrogation of Article 370. "This year is the year of a new development journey of Jammu and Kashmir. This is the year of rights for women and Dalits in Jammu and Kashmir. It is also a year of the dignified life of refugees," Mr Modi said.
To bring islands more closer to the mainland, he said the Andaman and Nicolar Islands has now been connected to underwater optical fiber cable. "In the next 1000 days, Lakshadweep will also be connected to submarine," Mr Modi said.
He empahsised for more digitalisation. "In Corona's time, we have seen the role of Digital India. Just last month, almost 3 lakh crore rupees have been transacted from BHIM UPI alone."
In Kashmir valley, the Independence Day was celebrated under unprecedented security arrangements, where new Lt Governor Manoj Sinha hoisted the national flag at the S K Cricket Stadium in Srinagar.
In Northeast, the day went peacefully with no violence, despite a boycott call given by several groups in Manipur.
In Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in his address, lauded the construction of Lord Ram Temple in Ayodhya and banning of triple-talaq practise followed by Muslim community.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal assured that Aam Aadmi Party-led government was working to bring economy back to track and highlighted the recently launched job portal for unemployed. He also asked his partymen to donate oxymeters, a device to check falling oxygen level in COVID-19 patients.
Principal Opposition Indian National Congress criticised Mr Modi's address to the nation, as he did not take China's name, while mentioning about eastern Ladakh.
"(....) But we must also think about why our rulers are scared of naming China, "Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said in the National Capital.
On 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-reliant India), Mr Surjewala in a jibe said the government is selling several Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and handing the Indian Railways and the Life Insurance Corporation to private sector.
The celebrations remained a low-key affair throughout the country, restricted to flag hoisting and short parade with minimum audience.
UNI Team PS RJ 2130