>> ‘Secular civil code’ need of hour
>>Middle class gives a lot to nation
>>Dynasticism poses great threat to democracy
>>India will become world’s skill capital
New Delhi: Addressing the nation for the 11th consecutive time on Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on all political parties to support the concept of ‘One Nation, One Election’ (ONOE) to ensure India’s steady progress.
“The frequent elections in the country are hindering the nation’s progress,” PM Modi emphasised.
“Today, connecting every scheme to elections has become a habit because elections are held every few months in the country. The media often portrays that all these schemes are announced because of the elections,” the Prime Minister said.
Highlighting the impact of the constant cycle of elections on developmental works in India, the Prime Minister said, “Every developmental work is affected due to these frequent elections, and that is why, extensive discussion was held with all the political parties in the country.”
He also mentioned that a committee has presented a detailed report stating that the “country will have to adopt ‘One Nation, One Election’ to ensure growth and progress”.
With the “national Tricolour as a witness,” the Prime Minister, standing at the Red Fort, said, “Today, I call on all political factions and parties, who understand the country’s Constitution well, to come forward and support the realisation of the dream of ‘One Nation, One Election’ for the steady progress and optimal use of India’s resources.”
The concept of ‘One Nation, One Election’ entails the simultaneous conduct of Lok Sabha and all Assembly elections once every five years.
This idea does not include panchayat elections, municipal elections, or by-elections. Implementing this initiative would necessitate a constitutional amendment, which would need to be put in force by 50 per cent of the states.
According to the NITI Aayog report, a policy think tank of the Government of India, in the last 30 years, there has not been a single year without an election to either Lok Sabha, State Assembly or sometimes both.
The report highlighted that, as a result of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), the government is prohibited from introducing any new projects, development work, or policy decisions until the elections are concluded.
Supporters of ONOE argue that it causes the state machinery to grind to a halt, resulting in what is referred to as “policy paralysis”.
In his Independence Day speech on Thursday morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a compelling case for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), stating: “It is the need of the hour to have a secular civil code and do away with discriminatory communal civil code.”
He said that the laws which divide the society should be abolished. “The Supreme Court has repeatedly held discussions on Uniform Civil Code, given orders, because a large section of the country feels, and rightly so, that the current civil code is a communal civil code, a discriminatory civil code. It was the dream of the Constitution-makers. So, it is our duty to fulfil it,” the Prime Minister said from the ramparts of Red Fort.
The Prime Minister emphasised that there must be extensive discussions and encouraged everyone to share their views. He stated that laws dividing the country along religious lines should be abolished as they have no place in a modern society. He called for a “secular” civil code, asserting that this is necessary to eliminate religious discrimination.
“There must be widespread discussions, everyone should come forward with their opinions, and laws that divide the country on religious lines must be done away with. They have no place in a modern society. Time demands a secular civil code. And then we will be free of religious discrimination,” the Prime Minister said.
PM Modi’s remarks are particularly significant given that the BJP and Union Home Minister pledged to implement the UCC nationwide, similar to the approach in Uttarakhand, during the campaign for the 2024 general elections. The UCC refers to a common set of laws governing personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and succession for all citizens. Article 44 of the Constitution, one of the directive principles of state policy, advocates for the UCC. Notably, personal matters have been governed by religion-based civil codes since Independence.
After unfurling the national flag at the Red Fort for the 11th consecutive Independence Day, PM Modi also spoke about the country’s efforts to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities, noting that the government’s focus on sign language and the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan reflects a deep respect for their dignity.
He praised the achievements of India’s paralympians, saying their successes showcase the strength and potential of every Indian.“When our athletes in the Paralympics showcase their new strengths, it reflects the strength of our collective spirit,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the nation on Independence Day highlighted the contribution of the middle class to the country’s development and assured minimum government interference.
“The middle class gives a lot to the nation. They expect quality life.. and we will endeavour to ensure minimum government interference,” said PM Modi.
He urged all levels of government to work on improving the ease of living in mission mode.
The PM also highlighted the government’s efforts to improve the education system in the country.
“We want to build such an education system in the country that students don’t have to go abroad for studies, he said.
He said that in the next five years, 75,000 new seats will be created in medical colleges in India.
“Viksit Bharat 2047 should also be ‘Swasth Bharat’… and we have started the Rashtriya Poshan Mission,” the PM said.
He also spoke about the working women, “For working women, maternity leave has been increased from 12 weeks to 26 weeks. We not only respect women, we not only take decisions for her sensitively, we make decisions to ensure that the government does not become a hindrance in the mother’s requirements to make her child a quality citizen…,” the PM said in his address.
He said that in the last 10 years, a total of 10 crore women joined women’s self-help groups who are now becoming financially independent.
“When women become financially independent they become part of the decision-making system in a household leading to social change… said PM Modi.
“Earlier, people used to plead with govt for amenities, now they get them at doorstep,” said PM Modi during his Independence Day speech.
“The youth of my country does not intend to walk slowly now. The youth of my country do not believe in incremental progress. The youth of my country is in the mood to leap… I would like to say that this is a golden era for India. Even if we compare it to the global situation, this is a golden era…We should not let this opportunity go to waste…If we go ahead with this opportunity, with our dreams and resolutions, we will be able to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047,” said PM Modi in his Independence Day speech.
PM mentioned that dynasticism and casteism pose great threat to democracy.
Expressing that it is our responsibility to save our country from this, PM Modi added that he intends to bring one lakh youth in the political system with no prior political background.
PM Modi commented on many important issues. In his speech, the Prime Minister informed of the steps taken against nepotism and casteism in India and brought forth the resolve of his government to make important decisions to address the political and social matters of the country.
PM Modi said: “Dynasticism and casteism pose a great threat to democracy. It is our responsibility to rid the country of it. We have an ambitious mission to bring one lakh people whose family members are not in politics. This will rid the country of nepotism and casteism and a new ideology will come forward. These young people can join any party.”
Modi also mentioned the concept of ‘One Nation, One Election’ in his speech. “Today, everything is staged for elections. All political parties have expressed their views. A committee has prepared its report on this. The country has to come forward for ‘One Nation, One Election’. I urge the political parties to realise this dream for the progress of India.”
PM Modi on Thursday unfurled the national flag for the eleventh time in a row from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Independence Day, and asserted that India’s 140 crore citizens can achieve the goal of a prosperous and developed country if they walk shoulder to shoulder with united resolve.
Highlighting the growing significance of skills, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the country will become the skill capital of the world.
Referring to the recently announced Union Budget 2024, the Prime Minister, in his 11th consecutive Independence Day speech from Red Fort, highlighted the landmark initiatives announced by the government to train India’s youth to build the country as the skill capital of the world.
He called for “enhanced focus on skill-building across all sectors, including agriculture and sanitation”, and informed of the more extensive Skill India Programme in the current Budget.
“This programme also emphasises internships to provide young people with practical experience and marketability,” PM Modi said, while also expressing a vision for India’s skilled manpower to play a prominent role in the global job market.
“India will become the skill capital. Indian universities should attain global prominence,” the PM said.
The Prime minister also envisioned transforming India into a global manufacturing hub, leveraging its resources and skilled workforce.
He noted that the “skilled youth” in the country will become “the first choice in the world.”
In July, the Union Budget allocated Rs 1.48 lakh crore for education, employment, and skilling.
The government also promised financial support of up to Rs 10 lakh for higher education in domestic institutions.
In addition, a scheme to provide internship opportunities to one crore youth in 500 top companies with Rs 5,000 per month as internship allowance and one-time assistance of Rs 6,000 was also announced. About 20 lakh youth will be skilled over five years.
A Rs 2 lakh-crore Prime Minister’s package of five schemes was also introduced to facilitate employment and skilling in the country.
The government in 2015, launched Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) to encourage and promote skill development in the country by providing free, short-duration skill training and incentivising it by providing monetary rewards to the youth for skill certification.
Till June this year, more than 1.15 crore youth have received certification under the PMKVY, while more than 1.48 crore youth have received training since its inception in 2015, government data shows.
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) also delivers skill, re-skill, and up-skill training under various schemes — PMKVY, Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), and Craftsman Training Scheme (CTS) through Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) to all sections of the society.
The government has also announced the setting up of 30 Skill India International Centres to cater to the demand for skilled workers from foreign countries.
