New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the national flag at the Red Fort for the third time as India celebrates its 70th Independence Day on Monday. Heavy security arrangements were put in place for the grand celebrations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted his government’s achievements over the last two years and also took the opportunity to reiterate the government’s stand against violence and terrorism.
Narendra Modi came out openly in support of “freedom” for Balochistan and “Pakistan occupied Kashmir”. “I want to speak a bit about the people in Balochistan, Gilgit, Baltistan, and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The world is watching. People of Balochistan, Gilgit and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir have thanked me a lot in the past few days,” Modi said.
He said the way people from these Pakistani regions “wished me well, gives me great joy”. Modi also hit out at Pakistan for supporting terrorism. This, he said, was in contrast to the way Indians reacted with sorrow when terrorists slaughtered school children in Peshawar.
Modi said his government had managed not only to change people’s mindsets towards state-run enterprises but also helped companies like Air India, BSNL and Shipping Corp to make operational profits.
“Air India was notorious for incurring losses. My government succeeded in bringing Air India back to a situation where it is logging operational profits. Public sector companies were always seen as ones that make losses and eventually close down. We changed this mindset. We managed to bring several public sector companies out of the woods,” said Modi.
Taking another example, that of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL), Modi said: “Globally, when telecom companies were making profits, BSNL was in a deep pit. But under our government, this company has also managed to report operational profit.”
He said that in the case of Shipping Corp of India, no one thought it could ever make profits. Modi said that the pan-India Goods and Services (GST) tax regime will strengthen the Indian economy and thanked all political parties for the passage of the relevant bill to initiate the process.
“GST will give strength to our economy. All parties are to be thanked for its passage. GST is also one such tax reform that will help us bring financial stability. One nation, one grid and one price is what we have worked on,” said the Prime Minister.
He further said that every major global agency has ranked in India the best investment destination, even as the country’s economy has continued to grow well despite the global gloom. Be it the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank or the World Economic Forum, they have all declared India to be the best destination for global capital, Modi said in his Independence Day address from the Red Fort.
“It is important for India to remain relevant and lead the global economy. But that is possible only if we adopt global standards. In recent days you have already seen how rating agencies have appreciated our moves on ease of doing business,” he said.
