GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 15th August. Prime Minister Narendra Modi set an ambitious goal of making India a developed nation by 2047, and renewed his call for reducing import dependence and increasing domestic manufacturing.
On the 76th Independence Day, Modi addressed the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort, coining the phrase ‘Panch Pran,’ or lifeblood resolves, for the nation when it celebrates its 100th year of independence in 2047.
The first is to make India a developed country.
“For the next 25 years, we need to focus on the ‘Panch Pran’. The first is making India a developed country,” he said.
India is currently classified as a developing country despite having the world’s sixth largest economy and a GDP of USD 2.7 trillion.
A developed country is distinguished by relatively high economic growth, a high general standard of living, and higher per capita income, as well as high performance on the Human Development Index (HDI), which includes education, literacy, and health.
At the time of its independence from British rule in 1947, India was classified as a ‘third-world’ country. However, over the last seven decades, its GDP has increased from Rs 2.7 lakh crore to Rs 150 lakh crore.
The country has overcome numerous crises to become one of the world’s largest economies and the fastest growing major economy on the planet.
In his speech, the prime minister advocated for a self-sufficient nation not only in manufacturing but also in energy.
While the country is addressing energy security by focusing more on renewable sources, biofuels, and hydrogen, it is also promoting domestic manufacturing through programmes like PLI, which offers Rs 1 lakh crore in incentives to local manufacturing units.
“Through the PLI schemes, we are becoming the manufacturing powerhouse of the world. People are coming to India to Make-in-India,” he said.
India imports 85 per cent of its oil needs and half of its natural gas requirements. These imports are being sought to be cut by mixing ethanol extracted from sugarcane and other agri commodities as well as producing hydrogen, he said.
“There are multiple employment opportunities opened with the creation of Green Jobs,” PM Modi said referring to job creation by the clean energy sector.
Rapid technological advancement has also greatly helped digital India.
He stated that the Digital India Movement, which includes the production of semiconductors, 5G networks, and optical fibre networks, has produced significant results in education, healthcare, and changes in the lives of citizens.
“India’s techade has arrived! We are bringing a revolution to the grassroots level through Digital India, with 5G, semiconductor manufacturing, and OFCs in villages.”
He said that the success of Digital India and startups can be seen in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, and that the country has made rapid progress in electronic goods and mobile phone manufacturing.
He claimed that in the last eight years, direct transfer of subsidies and other benefits to actual users via Aadhaar and mobile has prevented Rs 2 lakh crore in pilferage.
“India’s industrial growth will come from the grassroots. Our MSMEs, street vendors and those working in the unorganised sectors need to be strengthened,” he stated.
From space exploration to drone manufacturing to organic farming, India is rapidly progressing in every sector, he said, adding that even children are saying no to imported toys.
“When a 5-year-old says ‘No videshi’, Atma Nirbhar Bharat runs through his veins,” he said.
Natural farming, according to the Prime Minister, will give India new strength.
From renewable energy to expanding medical education infrastructure, India has made strides on all fronts. “From space to drone manufacturing to natural farming, India is making rapid progress in every sector,” he said.
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