Narendra Modi Speech LIVE: $5 Trillion Economy Target Achievable, Says PM, Announces Infra Boost

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh and Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa at Red Fort. 

Dressed in outfits resembling the colours of the Indian National Flag, children meet PM Modi with much enthusiasm at the Red Fort.

Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets children at Red Fort on the occasion of 73rd #IndiaIndependenceDay. pic.twitter.com/xWiVyjuHUp

— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2019

PM Modi's Consistent Sartorial Choice for I-Day Speeches | Today, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the Red Fort for the 73rd Independence Day programme, he was seen donning a red and yellow turban, same as he wore last year. The PM continued tne tradition of wearing bright-coloured turbans for his Independence Day speeches. The vibrant turban accessorised his simple whit half-sleeved kurta, which he paired with his signature taut churidaar.

73rd Independence Day Event at the Red Fort Concludes | Prime Minister Narendra Modi concludes his 73rd Independence Day speech with "Jai Hind" and "Vande Mataram" slogans as an enthused crowd followed his lead. The programme comes to an end with the chorus of National anthem. 

"We have made new strides in Space technology. Our Chandrayaan-II is speeding towards the moon today," PM Modi says.

Let us try to protect our mother earth by reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and products. I want to demand something from my farmers today. I cannot let my mother earth be degraded. I want to appeal to all my farmers to reduce the use of chemical fertilisers by 30-40%. Just by doing this you will be doing a service to Mother Earth: PM Modi.

Meanwhile, a clip of Ladakh celebrating 73rd Independence Day after the bifurcation of the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories.

#WATCH BJP MP from Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal (in front) dances while celebrating 73rd #IndiaIndependenceDay, in Leh. pic.twitter.com/KkcNoarPPB

— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2019

Prime Minister Narendra Modi appeals to the people of the country to travel across India and explore the beauty of the nation. "I want to make an appeal to the nation that by the time we celebrate the 75th Independence Day, every family must visit at least 15 tourist destinations. This will give our tourism economy a big boost," he says.

PM Modi Cheers for Cloth Bags | Encouraging people to shift to cloth bags, PM Modi urges shopkeepers to scrap the use of plastic bags. "Stores put up so many boards, put up another one saying do not expect plastic from us. Start gifting cloth bags to reduce the use of plastic," he says.

PM Modi Upholds Single-Use Plastic Idea | "From the ramparts of Red Fort in 2014 I remember pitching for open-defaecation free India. Today, I want to introduce the idea of single use plastic in India," he says.

Asserting that India can no longer be a mute spectator to terrorism, PM Modi says, "We have exposed the nations backing terrorism." He also announces that India will now have the post of Chief of Defence Staff who will oversee all three forms of defence in India. "This has been a demand for a long time. India cannot think as separate entities. All three forms of India's defence needs to come together," he says.

PM Modi Urges World Must Unite to Fight Terrorism | On the topic of peace and security, PM Modi says that the world needs to unite against those who provide shelter to terrorism. "India cannot be a silent spectator to terrorism.  Our neighbouring nations like Bangladesh, Afghanistan and China are fighting terrorism," he says.  Meanwhile, the Prime Minister also wished Afghanistan on its 100th independence day. "I congratulate them and convey my best wishes," he says.

PM Modi Emphasises on India's Tourism | Prime Minister Narendra Modi draws attention to the importance of the tourism industry in India and how it can be accentuated. He says, "Price rise in India is now under control. We need to promote tourism in India. We must empower the economy through our efforts. We need to respect wealth creators in India because if wealth is not created, how will it be distributed? And if it is not distributed how will it benefit the poor in the country?"

PM Modi Sets Agenda for $5 Trillion Economy | "There are many such avenues that can contribute towards India becoming a five trillion dollar economy. When the govt is stable and policies are predictable, we can also attract other nations to invest in India," says PM Modi.

"Our focus is the farmers. Their income needs to be doubled. They need to be provided with the optimum price for their produce. Our farmers also need to be taken to the international markets. Why shouldn't we think of becoming an export hub? Every region in India has its indigenous handicraft, its own handloom, its own unique products. Why can't we utilise this to provide India the impetus for becoming an exporting nation?

PM Appeals to Citizens to Contribute to Realise 5 Trillion Dollar Economy Dream | PM Modi says, "How will we move forward? Who will we develop? To what extent can we develop? Fulfilling the five trillion dollar economy dream is the answer to it. We can achieve this target. If every citizen starts contributing to the nation, we can achieve this. People say it is difficult but if it's not when they strive for it. In the last 70 years we became a two trillion dollar economy, but in the last five years we added one trillion dollar to the economy. This gives me the confidence of becoming a five trillion dollar economy in the coming years."

"Today, people are not happy with a 5-star railway station. They want to know when will the airport be ready. When will we lay the electricity lines. They want to know when the 24-hour supply will be provided. We need to meet these global parameters to move forward," Prime Minister Narendra Modi says.

"Hundred lakh crore will be used for implementing infrastructural developments in India. The sum will be invested in the betterment of airports, railway stations, roads, highways etc.," PM Modi says.

A quick glance at the aesthetic arrangements made at the Red Fort for the occasion of 73rd Independence Day.

'1,450 Laws Abolished in Last 5 Yrs' | In the last five years, 1,450 laws have been abolished. Ease of living is independent India's dream. I want to take this plan forward in independent India. Ease of doing business is one aspect where we have leapfrogged several positions. But my main goal is providing ease of living. We can get there only in an incremental way.

My idea of freedom is that slowly the govt should come out of the lives of people so that citizens should lead their lives will full freedom. There should be no interference on the part of the govt but if needed the govt should always be there. Citizens and the got should go hand in hand: PM Modi.

The 21st century India needs to understand that development and prosperity begin only when individuals are healthy and resourceful. There are so many illnesses around, therefore, efforts cannot just be at the government level. We need to go public with our efforts. You must have seen that we ask many officials to retire because of their actions: PM Modi.

PM Modi Encourages Family Planning to Deter Population Explosion in India | "Today, from the ramparts of the Red Fort, I want to address the issue of population explosion in the country. Parents in India now need to give a serious thought to whether they will be able to fulfill their child's dreams and aspirations and support a new life. I want you to do proper family planning and you will naturally see that a smaller family can be happier and more content. Your family will be away from diseases, will have more resources," says Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"We will allocate Rs 3.5 lakh crores for Jal Jeevan Mission. The Center and the states will work together to provide drinking water to every household. We need to do four times of what has been done in the last 70 years. This mission should not just be at the govt's level. Just like Swachhta Mission this should a people's mission," PM Modi adds.

Regarding the ongoing water crisis in some parts of the country, PM Modi says, "It is also true that half the households in India have no access to drinking water. Half their day is spent in getting water. Therefore, we, in our government, gave a thought on ways to provide drinking water to all. Today, from the ramparts of Red Fort, I announce that we will launch Jal Jeevan Mission to provide drinking water to all. The state govts will work with the Centre. Rs 3.5 lakh crore will used for this mission," says Modi.

For us to develop further, we need to move out of poverty. For that to happen, many plans have been implemented. However, when a man kindles his self-confidence he does not wait for the govt, he does all what it takes to defeat poverty. My brothers who are poor is most resilient amid all of us. Whether it is biting cold or torrential rains, his life goes on: PM Modi. 

PM Covers GST, Simultaneous Polls in Speech | PM Modi says that the country has also simplified the complicated tax system in India by introducing the GST (Goods and Services Tax). "In GST, we implemented one nation-one tax. In Power, we implemented one nation-one tax. For the automobile sector, we implemented one nation-one mobility card. Similarly, discussions around one nation-one election are on. Such discussions must go on in a democratic way," he says.

'One Nation, One Constitution' | In the political alleys of India, some kept opposing the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A. Now they are being asked, if this was so important, why did you not make it permanent in the last 70 years? They keep saying what has happened is wrong but did they have any solutions? No. During the difficult times of independence, people like Vallabhai Patel took very tough and valiant decisions. But because of Article 370 there emerged problems. Today, as I address the nation, I can say that every citizen can proudly say it is one nation one constitution: PM Modi.

PM Modi elaborates on the benefits of the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's autonomy saying that the move will enable the people of the region to hold the government at the Centre directly accountable. "After the partition, when people came to India they faced no problems but those who settled in Jammu and Kashmir could never live in peace. The new system in place is for the direct benefit of the people on the ground. Now anyone living in Jammu and Kashmir can directly question the Centre. He now does not need to go via media," PM Modi says.

The Prime Minister throws light upon the government's decision to scrap the special status of the Jammu and Kashmir region saying that "their women" should get their rights. "My Dalit brothers should get their rights. In all parts of India, they do get the necessary benefits. Sanitation workers in Jammu and Kashmir never got their rights. We will provide them," says Modi.