Economic growth

Red

red

carpet

PM Modi unveils Ayushman Bharat healthcare scheme

Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Kashmir vision

Manned mission into space by 2022

Women empowerment

Progress achieved by his government's various policies and schemes

NEW DELHI: Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort on India's 72nd Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday spoke about the progress made by the Indian economy since 2014, the ailing farm sector, women empowerment, peace in Kashmir and rapes.The Prime Minister also used the opportunity to unveil the Ayushman Bharat healthcare scheme for the poor, announced the launch of country's first space mission by 2022, and declared that women officers in armed forces will be able to avail permanent commission. PM Modi also highlighted the progress made by several government policies and schemes launched by his government since 2014.The main focus of the Prime Minister's speech was the progress made by his government in the last four years."Prior to 2014, several of the world's acclaimed organizations and economists used to term India as 'high-risk economy', these are the same people who are now praising us for our reforms," he said."Today they are saying the sleeping elephant has woken up and has started running," he added.The Prime Minister said that India is well poised to embark on the path of "record economic growth". "tape has been replaced with '', propelling India on the ease of doing business ranking," he said."Prior to 2014, India was likened to policy paralysis and delayed reforms. “India was considered among 'fragile five' but today the world is seeing it as a destination of multi-billion dollar investment. The narrative has changed," he said.The Prime Minister hailed the stature of India on the international stage, saying that the nation is now a part of forums where once it had no standing.The Prime Minister, in a veiled reference, slammed the previous government of UPA, saying that had his government progressed with the speed at which the country was progressing in 2013, it would have taken decades to achieve the level of growths the country is witnessing today."It would have taken us decades to complete the process of electrification," he said."The speed with which the government was progressing in 2013...if we take 2013 as the baseline, you will be surprised at the speed at which the country is progressing," he added.The Prime Minister announced the launch of the ambitious healthcare scheme on September 25 this year which will benefit 50 crore citizens of the country."It is essential to ensure that we free the poor of India from the clutches of poverty due to which they cannot afford healthcare," he said as he unveiled the healthcare scheme. The ambitious Ayushman Bharat-National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM) aims to provide a coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family annually, benefiting more than 10 crore poor families.On the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, PM Modi recalled former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Insaniyat, Kashmiriyat and Jhamooriyat slogan as a means to usher peace in the restive state."Atalji called for 'insaniyat' (humanity), 'Kashmiriyat' (eclectic Kashmiri culture) and 'jamhooriyat' (democracy). I also said that the issues in Kashmir can be resolved by embracing the people of Kashmir."Modi said his government was committed for the all-round development of all sections and regions in Jammu and Kashmir.PM Modi also announced that by 2022, India will send a manned mission into space. "India will send into space — a man or a woman — by 2022, before that if possible," Modi said. The astronaut would be "carrying the national flag," he added.The prime minister said that India would be only the fourth country — after Russia, the United States and China — to launch its own manned space mission.Women empowerment was one of the main focal points of the Prime Minister's speech. He assured the Muslim women of justice by promising his government's commitment to passing the Triple Talaq bill despite opposition.The Prime Minister also hailed the appointment of three women judges in the Supreme Court."I am proud of the fact that three women judges in Supreme Court are delivering justice. Since independence, this is the first cabinet where so many women are a part of the cabinet."The Prime Minister blamed "disgusting mentality" for the rampant incidents of rapes in the country and pointed that an efficient justice system is requisite to fight this menace."We have to free our society and country from this disgusting mentality of rape. Recently in Madhya Pradesh, a rapist was hanged by a fast-track court. We should spread this news and make people aware. Rule of law is supreme, no one can take the law into their hands," he said.Till now, women officers, who had joined the armed forces as part of the Short Service Commission, were not allowed to seek a permanent commission. Today, the Prime Minister said that women officers commissioned in short service will get the opportunity for a Permanent Commission like their male counterparts.The speech also focussed on the progress achieved by various policies and schemes launched by his government.The speed at which 'mudra loans' are being availed is a testimony of the changing face of India, the PM said.The Prime Minister thanked the business community for the successful implementation of GST.Ujjwala Yojana, Saubhagya Yojana, Swachch Bharat Yojana were some of the other schemes of his government on which the Prime Minister shed a light.