On the occasion of Independence
Day, I got up early in the morning and got ready as we wanted to attend
Independence Day celebration at our son’s school. As I got into car and put on
my favorite FM radio channel Vividh Bharati, our honorable Prime Minister’s
speech from Red Fort started. I listened to initial few sentences and I was
completely disappointed with his speech. I immediately said to my wife, “Is
this an election speech? And PM is addressing to Congress rally?” There were so
many of his statements which I could not digest or agree. Therefore, I
downloaded complete text of his speech from internet and read it. To my
surprise, my initial impression was vindicated. See some of his statements and
make your own opinion.
1. In the last 9 years, support prices for
various crops have been enhanced as never before.
2. The average annual rate of agricultural
growth in the 11th Plan was 3.6, which is more than both the 9th
and 10th Plan levels.
3. In the period 2004 to 2011, rural
per-capita consumption has increased four times faster than earlier.
4. Whatever definition we may adopt, it
cannot be denied that the pace of reduction in poverty has increased after 2004.
5. Almost all our children are today being
imparted education in Primary schools.
6. We have implemented the Health Mission in
urban areas also. This will result in both expansion and improvement of health
services in such areas.
7. For ensuring better safety and security
for women, we have strengthened the law dealing with offences against women.
8. There has been good progress in the last 9
years in the infrastructure sector. About 2 lakh km of new roads have been
constructed for connecting villages under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak
Yojana. More than 37,000 km of new Highways have been built, facilitating
travel and trade.
9. More than 40 airports have been built or
upgraded.
10. In 2004, only 7 percent of the people had
telephone connections. Today, 73 percent enjoy this facility. In rural areas,
this figure has gone up from 2 to 40.
11. There has been a record addition to our
capacity for electricity generation.
12. There has been a reduction in terrorist
and Naxal violence.
He refuted his own claim in point
#11 and further said “Inadequate
supply of coal had become a major problem affecting our efforts for increasing
electricity generation.” I felt he was telling blatant lie to entire nation
standing under Tricolor!
He mentioned “In the last 9 years” seven times in the speech and said “after
2004” four times. I thought he forgot that he is first Prime Minister of India
and then UPA or Congress’s.
Now see his statement. “However, it is not only our country that is facing
economic difficulties. The last year has been difficult for the world economy
as a whole. Major European nations are experiencing a slowdown these days. All
over the world, there has been a slump in export markets. All developing
countries have slowed down.” This statement is completing misleading the
nation. Although, many countries are facing economic problems, but they are not
facing inflation to the extent we are facing today. No European countries’ or Japan’s currency
are devaluating as our Indian Rupee is. The economic PM conveniently avoided these
issues.
Instead of mentioning only Congress Prime Minister in his speech, it would
have been better, if he would have attracted people attention towards the real
problems our nation is facing today and shared his vision to handle them. He should have addressed the issue of
inflation, Rupee’s free fall, rampant corruption at all level of government, issue
of rising crime against women, concerns toward security of our borders, his
stand on demands of separate statehood etc. There are so many important bills
pending in Parliament such as Police reform bill, Citizen’s right, rights of
physically challenged people to name the few. He should have given definite schedule
for passing Lokpal Bill, Women reservation bill.
This is not the first time he lied to the nation, he did the same thing when
2G scam, Coal scam broke and passed the buck to his ministers.
Just one day before, one submarine exploded and destroyed in dockyard in
Mumbai. Is this the first accident in arm forces? Country has stopped counting
accidents of MIG fighter planes now. Our brave soldiers are dying because of
shear negligence, human error and poor quality of equipment. This is really
worrisome. This brings serious doubt about our preparedness for our defense!
Where have we reached after 66 years of Independence?
Our borders are not secured
today. One side China is entering in our territory on every day. Pakistan is
attaching our post almost every day. Border fencing is almost broken at
Bangladesh border resulting into uncontrolled infiltration. Our relations with
Nepal and Sri Lanka is all time low!
Parliament Affair Minister stalls
the proceeding of Parliament when question is asked about their leader’s
son-in-law. The opposition party does not allow Parliament to function on
small-small issues. Sometimes one gets the feeling that Parliament disruption
is orchestrated in consultation with each other. Both Loksabha Speaker and
Deputy Chairman of Rajyasabha seem to be helpless and very weak to control
their houses. The main two political parties fight in Parliament and in TV
studio.
The country has a PM from
Rajyasabha as he may not get elected in Loksabha. He has to get elected from
safe place in Assam away from his home where he never gives his vote in any
election. His attendance is Parliament is abysmally low. He does not give any
statement on major issues of the nation, avoids interaction with the citizen. He
is highly educated but does not stop flattery of one family!
It was very sad to see people in
Vidarbha, Bengal, and Assam on the street on Independence Day and demanding for
separate state rather than celebrating Independence Day. It shows that the
people’s aspirations are not met.
In midst of lot of pessimism and negativity,
there is still a hope of emerging India as strong democratic nation. Although
late, but the history which happened in mid-July, appeared on mainstream media few
days back. The tribal girls of Hutup village in Jharkhand won the Bronze medal
U-14 Gasteiz
Cup in Spain. We complain about lack of support for
sport in this country, but they fought against all odds and travelled across 7
seas and made their homeland proud. Their commitment, dedication, hard work,
team work, fighting spirit and desire to dream is very inspiring story for all
of us. This gives the hope that Young India will fight back against all odds and
bring the nation where she deserves! 
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