Prime
Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Independence Day speech
Red
Fort, New Delhi
August 15, 2000
My heartiest congratulations to all of you on the anniversary of our
Independence. Wherever you may be — at the highest mountain peaks of the
Himalayas or on the shores of the Indian Ocean; on the desert sands of
Rajasthan or in the green jungles of the North East, may my greetings
reach all of you.
Today is also the festival of Raksha Bandhan. The power of friendship can
transform even a simple hand-spun thread into an unbreakable relationship.
On this auspicious occasion, I extend my good wishes to all of you,
especially to all my sisters.
This is the first Independence Day of the new century. While looking back
at the century just past, we must work hard to convert the challenges of
the new century into opportunities.
We must make our Independence last forever. We must reiterate, today, our
resolve to defend our nation.
Today is a day of sacred remembrance. It is a moment for introspection. We
offer our heartfelt gratitude to all the known and unknown martyrs. The
memory of their martyrdom will forever live on in our hearts. Their
sacrifices will always inspire us.
Today, we especially remember Mahatma Gandhiji. He was not only the
foremost leader of our Freedom Struggle, but he was also among the
greatest personalities of the 20th century.
On today’s auspicious day, we extend our greetings to the people of all
the countries in the world. We wish that the 21st century would
bring the message of peace, fraternity, cooperation, and steady progress
for the entire world.
Today, we send our best wishes to millions of Non-Resident Indians and
Persons of Indian Origin living in other countries. Wherever they may
live, they are always emotionally attached to India. We wish all of them
success and prosperity.
Today, I extend my felicitations to the people of the three new States
that have found their place on the map of India after the reorganisation
of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. We are confident that the new
States of Chhattisgarh, Uttaranchal, and Jharkhand will soon earn their
rightful place in the Union of India.
We have succeeded in our commitment of creating these three new States.
After the formation of these states, we have to work together for their
development so that they become shining examples of success.
The new century is a Century of the Youth. India, too, which has lived for
thousands of years, has now become a young nation. Nearly seventy percent
of our population is less than the age of 35. These young men and women
are more ambitious, more aware, and more active than their predecessors.
They not only think big, but they also work hard to realise their dreams.
I have full faith in India’s youth. It is our responsibility to fully
support our young men and women in building a bright future for themselves
and their Motherland.
Dear Countrymen, last year when I had
addressed you from the ramparts of this very Red Fort, our country was
going through an extraordinary situation. The Lok Sabha had been dissolved
and fresh elections announced. It was in these circumstances, that we had
to face the aggression in Kargil. And India emerged victorious in this
war.
One year later, democracy has become stronger in the country. India’s
international standing has risen. Our voice is being heard attentively in
the capitals of the world.
India is on the move. An India full of self-confidence is marching forward
on the path to progress.
It is an India that is as determined to win against all adversities as
were our brave jawans and airmen who drove back the enemy’s forces.
Our hearts are filled with ever-lasting gratitude towards the brave
soldiers of the Kargil and all previous wars.
Pakistan would be committing a terrible folly if it thinks that it can
secure anything through the undeclared war that it has been waging against
India. Kashmir has been an unbreakable part of India, and it will remain
so.
Our neighbour must realise that the clock cannot be turned
back. I would advise the rulers and also the people of Pakistan to pay
heed to the following verse from the lyricist, Sahir Ludhianvi:
Gone is that time, gone is that age,
When "Two Nations" was the slogan;
Gone are those people—
Whose purpose was Partition!
One, now, are all Indians,
One, now, are all Indians,
Oh India. know this!
Oh World, know this!
Oh World, know this!
The 21st century does not permit the redrawing of borders
either in the name of religion or on the strength of the sword. This is
the age for resolving differences, not for prolonging disputes.
The people of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh are tired of violence and
bloodshed. They are craving for peace. We need to apply the salve of
brotherhood on the wounded body of Jammu and Kashmir.
That is why, I recently said that India is prepared to apply the balm for
Kashmir’s agony within the framework of Insaniyat (humanity).
The world knows who has derailed the move to end hostilities and to start
the peace process. The world knows who has torpedoed these efforts.
On the one hand, Pakistan says it is willing to participate in talks. On
the other hand, it continues to be deeply involved in violence, killings,
and cross-border terrorism. Activities of the terrorists and proposals for
peace talks cannot go together.
India’s willingness and ability to deal firmly with violence, terrorism,
extremism, and separatism should not be underestimated.
Dear Countrymen, we have to build a
magnificent nation. There is no other country in the world, which is so
ancient, so big, so populous, and so rich in diversities; that has
preserved its democracy, its unity, and its culture; and that is fast
emerging as a modern and prosperous nation.
We have achieved success, too, in this endeavor. Every section of our
society has contributed to this success.
In the present times, India is called upon to pursue two major
imperatives. These are: Security and Development. They are complementary
to each other. Without security, there can be no development; without
development, our security is incomplete.
Now we have to make determined efforts to meet the economic challenges
before the nation. We have to accelerate and broaden our development
process, so that no child of Mother India remains hungry, homeless,
unemployed, or is without access to medical care.
We have to reduce regional and social disparities.
We have to make our brethren belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled
Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and minorities equal partners in our
developmental process.
Therefore, let us together resolve to make this decade, the Decade of
Development.
To realise this goal, we have decided to achieve the target of doubling
India’s per capita income in the next ten years.
Dear Countrymen,
to achieve this ambitious target, we have to undertake many important
reforms in our economy. At the same time, we need to implement necessary
reforms in our administration, our judiciary, in education, and in other
areas.
Reforms are the need of the hour. For example, the world has changed much
in the last fifty years; and so has India. There have been many
far-reaching political and economic transformations throughout the globe.
To reform is to turn the inevitability of change in the direction of
progress.
To reform is to improve the life of every citizen.
Take for example, the reforms in the power sector that the Centre and
various State Governments are presently carrying out. These will reduce
the losses of our electricity boards, stop the theft of power, and ensure
adequate availability of power for increasing production and employment.
Similarly, the reforms that we are implementing in the telecom sector will
enable us to provide cheaper telephones, mobile phones, and Internet
services in all parts of the country.
There is no scope for either apprehension or fear about our economic
reforms. I remember that some people had expressed similar fears even
during the Green Revolution. These fears later proved to be baseless.
The perspective of our economic reforms is based on our own concept. You
know that almost all political parties have, at different times, and in
different ways at the Centre and in different States, been adopting the
economic reforms programme.
I urge our farmers, workers, other producers, industrialists, and our
intelligentsia to contribute to building a consensus in favour of the
economic reforms.
In this connection, I would like to express my special appreciation to all
the central trade unions. I met their leaders three days ago, and we had a
very constructive dialogue. They have withdrawn their proposed nation-wide
strike. The interests of our workers will be fully taken into account in
the economic reform process.
This year, the Government is going to take many big and important steps to
accelerate our economic and social development and bring its benefits to
the largest number of people.
I wish to congratulate our farmers for ensuring that we have not faced a
scarcity of foodgrains despite a rapidly rising population. Today, there
is no shortage of food; rather there is a shortage of facilities to store
our food stocks.
We have formulated a National Agriculture Policy for the first time since
Independence. This Policy aims to increase agricultural production by four
percent every year. Concrete steps would be taken to check the declining
investments in the agricultural sector and to facilitate increase in these
investments.
For the first time since Independence, the Central Government has devised
a well-conceived and time-bound programme for rural roads. This hundred
per cent Centrally sponsored scheme, which is called the "Prime
Minister’s Rural Roads Scheme", aims to connect, within the
next three years, every village that has a population of more than one
thousand, through good all-weather roads. In the next seven years, every
village with a population of more than five hundred will be similarly
connected. For this project, the Central Government is making a provision
of Rs. 5,000 crore in its first year. It will be launched on Gandhi
Jayanti this year.
The National Highway Development Project is an ambitious one. A four-lane
Golden Quadrilateral connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, and Chennai will
be ready by 2003. The North-South and East-West corridors will be ready by
2007.
Khadi, village industries, and small-scale industries are the backbone of
India’s economy. We would like the benefits of economic reforms to reach
them too. There will be a national convention of small-scale and cottage
industries on the 30th of this month, where we shall announce
many important decisions.
In a very short time, India has become a strong power in Information
Technology. In software exports alone, India is expected to have exports
of more than Rs.2,00,000 crore by 2008. Through this, lakhs of educated
persons are likely to get attractive employment opportunities, both in
India and abroad.
To reach the benefits of Information Technology to the common people, our
Government has taken many important decisions in the last two years, and
will take many more in future.
I want to see every school and every village to have access to computers
and the Internet in as less time as possible.
We are committed to ensuring that every village and hamlet gets access to
clean drinking water in the next four years. This year, the allocation for
the scheme has been increased by Rs. 2,000 crore and its implementation
will be intensified.
Before the end of this year, the Government will announce an Integrated
National Health Policy, the aim of which will be to quickly achieve
"Health For All". The policy will also ensure that every citizen
is provided with primary health care. Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and
Homeopathy will be given their rightful place.
Recently, the rapidly spreading disease of HIV/AIDS has become a grave
challenge to our nation. I appeal to all sections of society to fully
participate in building awareness about this epidemic. They should also
make necessary changes in their behaviour so that this disease can be
controlled.
The most valuable investment that we can make in India’s future is to
ensure that every child gets education. We have decided that by 2010,
every Indian child will get education up to class eight. We have launched Sarva
Shiksha Abhiyan (Education for All campaign) to achieve this goal.
Education until graduation has been made free for women. All poor families
should take advantage of this.
Science and technology have become the main engine of economic growth. We
should ensure that every vehicle of economic development is equipped with
this engine. Towards this end, the Government is taking concrete steps to
remove the gap between academia and industry.
Dear Countrymen, a bright future is
knocking at India’s door. We can, however, realise this future to the
extent that we are able to further strengthen our national unity,
secularism, social goodwill, and our democratic system.
India is a land of diversities. We have, in ample measure, geographical
diversities; linguistic diversities; religious diversities; and
diversities in customs and traditions. Despite these diversities, or
perhaps because of them, India has always remained united.
We are one in many, and many in one. The whole world is amazed at how
India has successfully sustained this magic not just today, but for many
millennia.
This may be magic for the rest of the world; but for Indians, it is life
itself.
Religious intolerance and hate have never been part of India’s liberal
culture. I appeal to the people of all faiths and castes not to create
imaginary enemies, and not to resort to the path of using the sword that
inflicts wounds on oneself.
Recently, a few unfortunate incidents have spoiled communal peace and
goodwill, in some places. The Government will not tolerate the activities
of any organisation that spreads communal discord or incites violence.
As Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar said, our independence is incomplete without
social justice. In the new century, India needs more social
justice. However, that kind of social justice (Samajik Nyay) is
needed which also promotes social harmony (Samajik Samarasata).
The policy of reservations is one of the important guarantors of social
justice for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward
Classes. The problem of backlog in reservations was persisting for some
time. Recently, we amended the Constitution and solved this problem.
Women are the backbone of our social system and culture. Our dreams of
India’s future can only be realised if our women are educated, are made
economically prosperous, are empowered politically, and are enabled to
play a bigger role in society.
We have promised to provide reservations to women in the Parliament and
the State Legislatures. There is now a need to quickly bring about a
consensus to implement this revolutionary idea. I have had several
opportunities to meet many women who have become members and chairpersons
of panchayats and municipalities by winning from reserved seats. They
have, through their performance, proved that they are not second to men,
either in the democratic process or in administration.
The North-Eastern States have a special place in the nation’s life and
in India’s development. The implementation of developmental projects and
programmes has been suffering from many hurdles. Now, a special cell has
been created in the Prime Minister’s Office to remove these hurdles and
speed up the developmental process. This cell will closely monitor the
developmental works in the region. There has been an improvement in the
situation, thanks to the cooperation of the people and State Governments
of this region.
It is sad that the biggest impediment to faster development in the
North-East has been the extremist organisations that are fomenting
violence and trouble in the region. I appeal to the leaders and followers
of these organisations to give up this dangerous and futile path. The
Government is presently engaged in talks with some organisations in the
region so that peace and development can be restored in the North-East. I
am confident that these efforts will bear fruit.
India is a Union of States. Our States have an important role to play in
ensuring that the fruits of development reach every Indian home. We are
committed to decentralisation of power. We have decided to give our States
more financial and administrative powers. We would like our Panchayati Raj
institutions to also benefit from decentralization of power, so that their
functioning becomes more efficient and effective. We have taken concrete
steps in this direction.
In the last two-and-a-half years, we have made continuous efforts to
increase dialogue and coordination between the Centre and the State
Governments. All States have contributed to this process. This has
improved cooperation and concord between the Centre and the States.
Consequently, there has been an increasing convergence in our viewpoints
and goals. For this, I thank all the State Governments and their Chief
Ministers.
We shall intensify our campaign against corruption in high places. Our
country cannot make expected progress in development without probity in
administration and in public life.
One of the big failings in our national life has been that people expect
the Government to solve even those problems, which they could easily
resolve through their collective efforts. The Government, after all, has
limited resources. In addition, experience has shown us that, those
programmes which are implemented without people’s participation, rarely
yield the expected results.
Let me illustrate. Be it population stabilisation or dealing with natural
calamities, conserving water and electricity, or keeping our public places
clean and beautiful—all these initiatives can succeed only when our
citizens participate enthusiastically and in an organised manner.
Dear Countrymen, on the first Independence
Day of the 21st century, let us draw inspiration from all the
good and glorious aspects of our past. However, let us not become obsessed
with the past.
I have been emphasising repeatedly that India should turn its attention to
the challenges and opportunities of the future. We should not be stuck in
the contentious issues of the past.
Come, let us look to the future. We have to create a prosperous,
self-reliant, and self-confident India. Indeed, we have already embarked
along this path. We will march further in this direction. We are being
counted among the ranks of successful nations.
We must not stop. Rather, we must step up the speed of our journey.
I call upon our farmers, workers, artisans, employees, youth, and, indeed,
all our citizens, to make their contribution to a happy and prosperous
India.
I ask our entrepreneurs to hoist the flag of their capabilities and
prowess and demonstrate to the rest of the world that Indian
industrialists are second to none in any competition.
I appeal to the Non-Resident Indians to contribute their fullest to this
momentous task.
I exhort our scientists and engineers that they scale new heights of
knowledge and science to earn a bright name for themselves and their
country.
I appeal to India’s sportspersons that they take our tricolor to
triumphant positions in the arena of international sports.
The entire nation sends its best wishes to our sports contingent that is
taking part in next month’s Olympic Games at Sydney.
Come, let all of us contribute our mite to the creation of a Parishrami
Bharat (industrious India), Parakrami Bharat (achieving
India), and a Vijayi Bharat (winning India).
Our motto for all ages has been:
Let us walk together
Let us speak in one voice
Let our hearts beat together
In other words, let us march forward united —all of us together, and
taking everybody together.
Let us make the 21st Century, India’s Century.
This is our resolve. This is our aspiration.
Thank you.
Jai Hind!