DELHI (TIP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi unfurled the Indian National Flag at the Red Fort to mark the 74^th Independence Day of India. In his address following the flag hoisting Prime Minister paid  tributes to freedom fighters and security forces. He then expressed the nation’s gratitude to Corona commandos- doctors and nurses who, at grave risk to their lives, worked to save precious human lives, adding “We will achieve victory over coronavirus with resolve of people of country”.

Coronavirus may be a big challenge but not so big as to stop India’s march towards self-reliance, said Modi.

Prime Minister reassured full support to citizens affected by natural calamities and disasters.

Touching upon his favorite theme of self-reliance (Atma Nirbhar), he said “In midst of coronavirus pandemic, Indians resolve to become ‘self-reliant’; this is not a word but mantra for all people. It is necessary for us to prepare ourselves to make India self-reliant.”

India’s share in world economy should increase for which we have to be self-reliant, he said.

“For how long India will export raw materials and import finished products? Country has to become self-reliant. We have to go beyond reducing our imports”,  PM Narendra Modi said.

While we focus on economic growth and development, humanity must retain a central role in this process.

Mindset today should be ‘vocal for local’. Today, many big companies of world are turning to India: PM Modi on Indian economy

I am confident that measures like opening up space sector will generate many new employment opportunities for our youth.

Self-sufficient India means not only reducing imports, but also increasing our skills, our creativity.

We have to move forward with mantra of ‘Make in India‘ as well as ‘Make for World’.

About 7,000 projects of different sectors have been identified to bring new revolution in infrastructure.

We have to remove silos and entire country has to move towards multi-modal connectivity infrastructure.

About Rs 90,000 crore directly transferred to bank accounts of poor; over 80 crore people provided free food grains: PM Modi

Seven crore poor families were given free gas cylinders.

Self-reliant India has an important priority — self-sufficient agriculture sector and self-reliant farmers.

An agriculture infrastructure fund of Rs 1 lakh crore has been created to give modern infrastructure to farmers.

Over one lakh households are being provided drinking water under Jal Jeevan mission.

Middle-class has potential and wants new opportunities

We have decided to connect all 600,000 villages with optical fiber  within 1,000 days.

New education policy aims to connect our children with their roots while making them global citizens.

PM Modi announced  launch of national digital health mission .From today, all Indians will  get health IDs, he said. National Digital Health Mission will bring a new revolution in India’s health sector.

Three corona vaccines are in various stages of trial in India; large-scale production will begin once we get nod from scientists, he disclosed. “Our roadmap to bring corona vaccine to all Indians in shortest possible time is ready”.

Modi announced that India  is committed to hold assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir once delimitation exercise is completed. It was a year of a new development journey for Jammu and Kashmir, he said.

Just as Sikkim has made its mark as an organic state, efforts are being made to make Ladakh a carbon neutral region.

A special campaign with a holistic approach is also being worked out to reduce pollution in 100 selected cities of country.

Touching upon border incursions and aggressions by neighbors, without naming a country, Modi said “Those who challenge India’s sovereignty, be it LOC or LAC, have been given a befitting reply in their own language”. “What India can do, world has seen it in Ladakh”, he said.

Respect for India’s sovereignty is supreme for us. Today, neighbors are not only those with whom we share our geographical boundaries but also those with whom our hearts meet.

In next 1,000 days, Lakshadweep will also be connected with high-speed internet, he announced. .

We are expanding NCC in border areas; special training will be provided to about one lakh new NCC cadets.

(With inputs from PTI)