PM Narendra Modi addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 78th Independence Day
Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 78th Independence Day, PM Modi said, “This year and over the last few years, we have all become increasingly concerned about natural disasters.”
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day address on Thursday said that people’s concerns over natural disasters have been growing in recent years.
His remarks come in the wake of the devastating landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad on July 30 that claimed more than 230 lives and torrential rains and flooding in several other states.
Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 78th Independence Day, PM Modi said, “This year and over the last few years, we have all become increasingly concerned about natural disasters.”
“Many people have lost their family members and property to these calamities and the nation has also suffered significant losses. I offer my condolences and assure them that the nation stands with them in this hour of crisis,” he added.
Heavy monsoon rains and flooding in several states, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Assam, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Delhi, have claimed many lives and destroyed both public and private properties.
Before the monsoon, India experienced one of its longest and harshest summers this year.
According to official data, the country recorded 41,789 suspected heat stroke cases and 143 heat-related deaths in the summer season. However, heat waves are not included in the list of notified national calamities.
Modi made a cross-party appeal on all levels of governance — from panchayats to Central government — on working together to improve ease of living in a “mission mode.”
He said that the governance delivery systems have to be strengthened.
“The middle class gives a lot to the nation and expects a certain quality of life. It will be our endeavour to ensure minimum government interference and improve ease of living,” PM Modi emphasised.
Under the overarching theme of ‘ease of living’, the five key themes are drinking water, electricity, health, schooling, and land and property.
The Centre aims to foster governance and collaboration between the Centre and state governments, enhancing the quality of life for both rural and urban populations by strengthening the delivery mechanisms of government interventions, he said.
He stressed on the need to transform the agricultural sector and said the government is making comprehensive efforts to make the lives of farmers better.
He also expressed concerns on deterioration in soil health due to use chemical fertilisers.
He also said the government is also trying to ensure that farmers get easy access to loans, modern technology, value addition for their farm produce, and marketing support.
Modi said his government was providing all help to farmers to adopt modern practices as well as natural farming.
According to PM Modi, the vision of Viksit Bharat can be realised through Viksit (developed) states, and that the aspiration of a developed India should reach the grassroots — to each district, block and village.
The Prime Minister also appreciated the Aspirational Districts Programme anchored by NITI Aayog.