Modi emphasised achievements

GULF NEWS August 19.2016

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day speech from the Red Fort in New Delhi, India addressed that social unity is a distinctive feature of our society and how we are all part of one family. We all have to fight against social evils and have to support social justice for which our great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and B. R. Ambedkar always stood for. Modi further emphasised that violence is a global threat. India will not tolerate terrorism and Maoism. He also said: “Violence and cruelty have no place in India.”

We need to rise above divisions of caste and creed. India’s values, more especially the idea of ‘unity in diversity’ have kept this country together. Making a reference to neighbouring country Pakistan, the Prime Minister said: “I say to our neighbours, ‘Let’s fight poverty, by fighting our own people we will destroy ourselves, only by fighting poverty together will we prosper.’”

He also appealed to the youth of the country to shun the path of violence and join the mainstream, saying they have not achieved anything by taking the path of terror and extremism. Other issues that Modi covered in his speech were related to his government’s good governance and the progress of various government schemes, improvements in agriculture, women empowerment, financial growth and the new Goods and Services Tax (GST).

August 19.2016

From Dr Shiben Krishen Raina

Alwar, India