Indian PM Narendra Modi gives Independence Day speech, Key Takeaways: Report

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today delivered the longest I-Day speech extending to 98 minutes as he addressed the nation from the Red Fort, New Delhi today 15th August, 2024. PM Modi’s 15th August speeches averages 82 minutes and it’s longer than any PM in India till date.

The 5 key takeaways from the speech are listed below. Take a look.

• Women’s Safety: PM Modi in a veiled attack on the WB State Government over the5 rape and cruel murder of a doctor at a Kolkata State Govt Hospital, said he feels the outrage of in society over atrocities against women.

“There is public outrage over the atrocities against our mothers and sisters. The country, our society, our state governments need to take this seriously. Crimes against women must be probed as soon as possible, those involved in the demonic acts must face strict punishment at the earliest, this is necessary to build faith in the society”, he said.

• Uniform Civil Code: The Prime Minister also made an unequivocal pitch of an uniform civil code (UGC) that he referred to as a secular civil code. He argued that the current civil code was communal and that it has been dividing the nation over religious basis. “A secular civil code in the country is the need of the hour”, he said, calling it the spirit of the hour and the step towards national unity.

• The Bangladesh Issue: Regional stability is a prime concern and that was reflected in PM Modi’s speech. He expressed particularly on the Bangladesh issue, stating primarily on the safety of Hindu minorities. He said that India is committed to bring peace and prosperity in Bangladesh, hoping for a swift restoration of normalcy.

• Reforms: The Prime Minister also stated his government is working to bring out reforms that are required for the nation’s growth. “There was an environment of status quo and we had to break that mindset. The common man wanted charge, but his dreams were not appreciated. We implemented reforms for the poor, the middle class, deprived sections of the society and the youth”, he said.
  
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• One Nation, One Election: PM Modi has also made a fresh pitch for a reform in the way that the elections are held. He gave a hint about a new form of holding elections where the country would only have a single election. The details are not yet out but he said that this is necessary as the country always goes through elections in some state or the other and that is quite a difficult mechanism to handle. This reform is going to transform how the election system works.