President's Secretariat
14-August, 2017 19:44 IST
President’s Address to the Nation on the eve of India’s 71st Independence Day, 2017
Dear Fellow Citizens engaged in the task of nation building
My greetings to you as we complete 70 years of our Independence
Our country will be celebrating its 71st Independence Day tomorrow. On the eve of this anniversary I extend my good wishes to all of you.
On August 15, 1947, we became a free nation. Sovereignty and the responsibility for our destiny moved from the British crown to the people of India. Some have called this process a “transfer of power”.
It was much more than that. It was the culmination of a dream for our country – a dream seen by our forefathers and freedom fighters. We were free to imagine and build our nation anew.
It is crucial to understand that this dream for a free India was rooted in our ordinary villages, in the well-being of our poor and underprivileged, and in the all-round development of our country.
For this we owe so much to the countless freedom fighters who made great sacrifices to bring us here.
Chennamma, the Rani of Kittur. Lakshmibai of Jhansi. Matangini Hazra, the heroine and martyr of the Quit India Movement. There are so many examples.
Matangini Hazra was an elderly woman, into her 70s. She was shot by the colonial police in Tamluk, in Bengal, while leading a peaceful protest march. She died with “Vande Mataram” on her lips and with the hope of a free India in her heart.
Freedom fighters like Sardar Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, Birsa Munda and thousands of others gave their lives for us. We can never forget them.
From the earliest days of our freedom struggle, we were blessed with a galaxy of revolutionary leaders who guided our country.
They spoke of not just political freedom. Mahatma Gandhi emphasised the moral character of India and of Indian society. The principles that Gandhiji spoke about are relevant even today.
Gandhiji was not alone in this nationwide struggle for freedom and reform. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose exhorted our people, saying: “Give me blood and I will give you freedom”. At his word, millions of Indians joined the freedom movement under his leadership and gave their all.
Nehruji emphasised that India’s age-old heritage and traditions – so dear to us – could co-exist with technology and a quest to modernise our society.
Sardar Patel instilled in us the importance of national unity and integrity. And of a disciplined national character.
Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar urged upon us the virtues of constitutional governance, of the rule of law – and of the vital need for education.
I have given only a few examples of illustrious leaders. I could give you many more. The generation that brought us to freedom was diverse. They were men and women who represented all parts of our country and a variety of political and social thought.
We need to draw inspiration from such brave freedom fighters, many of whom sacrificed even their lives for the country. We need to invoke the same spirit today in the task of nation building.
The stress on the moral basis of policy and action, belief in unity and discipline, faith in a synthesis of heritage and science, and promotion of the rule of law and of education – all of it was located in a partnership between citizen and government.
That is how our nation has been built – by a partnership between citizen and government, between individual and society, between a family and the wider community.
Fellow Citizens
A tradition I remember from my childhood was that when there was a wedding in any one family, the entire village shared the responsibility and contributed. Regardless of the caste or community, the bride became the daughter of not just a single family but of the entire village.
Neighbours and others living in the village looked after guests, and took charge of different arrangements. Contributions came from many families. One family would send food-grains for the wedding, another would send vegetables, a third would arrive with some other item.
There was a sense of caring and of sharing, and of interdependence. If you helped your neighbours in their times of need, they instinctively helped you in turn.
Today, in big cities we may not even know our neighbours. Whether in cities or villages, it is important to renew that sense of caring and sharing. This will make us a gentler and happier society and help us understand each other with greater empathy.
Fellow Citizens
This spirit of empathy and of social service and volunteerism is very much alive in India. There are so many people and organisations that work quietly and diligently for the poor and the disadvantaged.
They could be running schools for street children, caring for stray animals and birds, and providing water to hard-to-reach tribal communities in remote areas. Or cleaning rivers and public places. They are nation builders in action, and we need to draw inspiration from them.
We should also work with unity and purpose to ensure that the benefits of government policies reach all sections of society. For this, the partnership between citizens and government remains essential:
· The government has started the Swachchh Bharat campaign – but it is for each of us to ensure a Swachchh Bharat
· The government is building toilets or helping build toilets – but it is for each of us to use those toilets and make India open-defecation free
· The government is enabling communication infrastructure – but it is for each of us to use the Internet for the right purposes: to bridge knowledge gaps, create opportunities, and enhance educational and information access
· The government is promoting the idea of Beti Bachao–Beti Padhao – but it is for each of us to ensure that our daughters are not discriminated against and get the best education
· The government can frame laws and strengthen law enforcement – but it is for each of us to be a law-abiding citizen. And to build a law-abiding society
· The government is pushing transparency and eliminating corruption in public recruitment and procurement – but it is for each of us to answer to our inner conscience in everyday life
· The government is implementing GST to eliminate multiple taxes and simplify transactions – but it is for each of us to make this an essential part of our everyday transactions and business culture
I am happy that the transition to the GST system has been smooth. It should be a matter of pride for all of us that the taxes we pay are used for nation building – to help the poor and the marginalised, to build rural and urban infrastructure, and to strengthen our border defences.
Fellow Citizens
In the year 2022, our country will complete 75 years of Independence. It is our national resolve to attain certain desired milestones for a New India by then.
When we speak of a New India, what do we mean? There are some obvious parameters – like a house for every family, power on demand, better roads and telecom, a modern railway network, rapid and sustained growth.
And yet there is more. New India must include that integral humanist component that is in our DNA, and which has defined our country and our civilisation. New India must be a society rushing towards the future, but also a compassionate society.
· A compassionate society where the traditionally disadvantaged, whether SCs, STs or OBCs, are part of our national developmental process
· A compassionate society where populations in our frontier areas and states, who may sometimes feel a sense of alienation, are embraced as our brothers and sisters
· A compassionate society where the deprived child, the aged and the ailing senior citizen, and the poor and the under-privileged are always in our thought – not an afterthought. And where we take special care to ensure that our
divyang brothers and sisters get equal opportunities in all walks of life
· A compassionate and egalitarian society that does not discriminate on gender or religious background
· A compassionate society that enriches our human capital and equips our young people by promoting accessible, affordable and world-class educational institutions. And where quality health-care and nutrition are not a challenge
It is only with all this that we will build the New India we can cherish – where every Indian is equipped to fulfil his or her potential and do so in a manner that leaves each one of us content and happy. And helps each of us contribute to society and our country.
I am confident that a strong partnership between citizens and the government will allow us to meet the goals of New India.
Your immense patience and understanding in the days following demonetisation – and your whole-hearted support in the battle against corruption and black money – reflected a responsible and enlightened society.
Demonetisation has boosted our efforts to build an honest society. We must sustain this spirit and this momentum.
Fellow Citizens
There is also need to adopt technology. We must use technology to empower our people and achieve the goal of poverty elimination in a single generation. Poverty and New India are simply not compatible.
Today, the world is looking at India with admiration. Our country is seen as a responsible global citizen, a growing economy, and a solution provider to various international challenges – such as climate change, disasters, conflicts, humanitarian crises, radicalism and terrorism.
The Tokyo Olympics of 2020 offer another opportunity for us to raise our standing in the world’s eyes. Over the coming three years, we should absorb ourselves in this national mission. Government agencies, sports bodies and business enterprises need to join hands to identify and support our talented sportspersons and provide them world-class training facilities – so that they can be even more successful in Tokyo.
As citizens and children of India – whether we live at home or abroad – we must ask ourselves how we can add to our country’s pride.
Fellow Citizens
It is natural for us to think of our families, but we must also think of society. We must heed the call for that extra degree of selflessness, that extra something beyond just duty. A mother who nurtures and brings up her child is not just doing a duty. She is displaying a unique selflessness.
· Our soldiers who guard our borders, on a hot day in the desert or high up on a cold mountain, are not just doing their duty. They are displaying an extra degree of selflessness
· Our police and paramilitary forces that brave death to combat terrorism or crime and keep us safe are not just doing their duty. They are displaying an extra degree of selflessness
· Our farmers who labour under extremely tough conditions to grow food to feed fellow Indians whom they have never met, and who live in the other corner of the country, are not just doing a job. They are displaying an extra degree of selflessness
· After natural disasters, so many motivated people, civil society groups and public agencies work day-and-night in rescue and relief operations. They display an extra degree of selflessness
Can each of us not imbibe this spirit of selflessness?
We can and we have.
On an appeal from the Prime Minister, more than one crore families voluntarily gave up their LPG fuel subsidy – so that a gas cylinder could reach the kitchen of a poorer family of fellow Indians. And so that members of that family, particularly women, were saved from smoke from
chulhas that damaged their eyes and lungs.
I salute those families that gave up their subsidy. No law or government order made them do what they did. Their response came from within.
We should draw inspiration from these families. Each of us must find a way to give back to society. Each of us must choose one thing we can do to help another, less-fortunate Indian.
The single most critical factor for building our nation is to equip our coming generation. We need to ensure that not one child is left behind. As such I would urge you, as fellow nation builders, to help educate less-privileged children in our society. Help teach a child other than your own. Enrol and pay the school fees or buy the books of at least one child other than your own. Just one!
Our India is at the door of great achievements. In a few years, we will become a fully literate society. We must set the bar higher, and aim to become a fully educated society.
We are all stake-holders in this mission. If we achieve it, our country will change before our eyes. And we will become agents of this defining change.
Two thousand five hundred years ago Gautam Buddha said, “
अप्पदीपोभव ... Be a lamp unto yourself …” If we follow his teachings, acting together, with the passion of our freedom movement, we can collectively be the 125 crore lamps that light up the path to a New India.
Once more, I wish all of you the very best on the eve of our 71st Independence Day.
Jai Hind
Vande Matram
The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind addressing the Nation on the eve of 71st Independence Day, in New Delhi on August 14, 2017.
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Vice President's Secretariat
14-August, 2017 12:26 IST
Vice President Greets People on Independence Day Eve
The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has greeted the people of our country on the joyous occasion of Independence Day. In a message, he said that we salute our valiant freedom fighters whose sacrifices brought freedom to our country from oppressive colonial rule. Let us resolve this Independence Day to strive towards building a New India by eliminating poverty, illiteracy and corruption, he added.
Following is the text of Vice President’s message:
“I extend my warm greetings and good wishes to the people of our country on the joyous occasion of our Independence Day.
On this auspicious occasion, let us take pride in the remarkable progress achieved by our nation in various fields and salute our valiant freedom fighters whose sacrifices brought freedom to our country from oppressive colonial rule.
Let us resolve this Independence Day to strive towards building a New India by eliminating poverty, illiteracy and corruption and realizing the dreams of the Father of the Nation and other valiant freedom fighters by achieving the cherished goals of prosperity, equality and dignity for every citizen of India.
As India marches ahead as one of the fastest growing economies in the world, every citizen should work towards upholding the country’s civilizational values and strengthening its unity and integrity.”
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The Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan participating in Tiranga Yatra, in Delhi on August 14, 2017.
Ministry of Communications
14-August, 2017 11:37 IST
BSNL Independence Day offer- Truly One India: Now get the benefits of Voice/SMS STVs and Combo Vouchers while Roaming
BSNL was the first operator to provide free national roaming on 15th June 2015. Following the same, it has now decided to allow the benefit of Voice/SMS, Special Tariff Voucher (STV) and Combo Vouchers in national roaming on the occasion of 71st independence day on PAN India basis with effect from 15 August’ 2017 in the area where BSNL operates.
The offer is beneficial to those who frequently travel including our jawans and journalists. Presently if you for any STV, the benefit is available in the home state/ Licence Service Area (LSA), but from 15th August this benefit will be available even when a person travels outside his home LSA.
For example, STV 349 which offers unlimited voice call to any network only in home LSA, now the benefit of unlimited voice call on any network will be available even when customer is travelling out from Home LSA in any area where BSNL operates.
Shri R.K.Mittal, Director (CM) BSNL Board said “Armed force personnel, Professionals, Business person & Students all will get more benefit from this scheme.”
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Ministry of Defence
14-August, 2017 20:17 IST
GALLANTRY AWARDS TO ARMY ON INDEPENDENCE DAY 2017
Following gallantry awards have been conferred to Army personnel on the occasion of Independence Day 2017:-
Award
No’s
Remarks
Kirti Chakra
03
Including 02 posthumous
Shaurya Chakra
13
Including 06 posthumous
Sena Medal (Gallantry)
85
Including 10 posthumous
Mention-in-Despatches
39
Including 05 posthumous
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Ministry of Defence
14-August, 2017 18:56 IST
President Confers Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) to Wing Commander Ravinder Ahlawat, Flying (Pilot)
EMBARGO : NOT TO BE PUBLISHED/BROADCAST/OR USED ON SOCIAL MEDIA BEFORE 15 AUG 2017, 0001 HRS
On 26 Jul 16, Wg Cdr Ravinder Ahlawat was authorized to carry out a 'Range Instructional Technique' (RIT) sortie over Pokharan Range in Mirage 2000 Trainer aircraft as the captain of the aircraft, occupying the front cockpit. While carrying out "Pull Up Attack" circuit, at 500 ft above ground level at high speeds and in a turn, the aircraft experienced a Bird Hit. The severity of the impact shattered the canopy perspex completely and the bird hit Wg Cdr Ahlawat, damaging his helmet, breaking his visor and injuring his face, neck, arms and chest resulting in profuse bleeding and nearly incapacitating him. The bird also broke the glass separator between the front and the rear cockpit as well. The impact also damaged the front pilot ejection system.
Due to the injuries, blood streaming down his face and bird remains, Wg Cdr Ahlawat had limited vision available from his left eye only. Despite the nature of his injuries, shock of impact, high wind blast and minimal reaction time since the aircraft was flying at low level, he took all the emergency actions correctly to save the aircraft and people of a village in close vicinity of the Pokharan range. During recovery, the rear pilot could not see the runway due to the perspex being obscured. Without the front pilot taking over and landing, the aircraft would have to be abandoned. There were significant chances of ejection system failure due to damage to the same. Displaying gallantry and upholding the virtues of "service-before-self", Wg Cdr Ahlawat used his one hand to open his left eye, took over the controls with the other hand and despite incapacitating injuries, limited binocular vision and with the canopy perspex blown off, he executed a safe landing on the nearest runway of an Air Force Base which resulted in saving of an expensive national asset and lives on ground.
For this act of gallantry, Wing Commander Ravinder Ahlawat is awarded Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry).
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Ministry of Defence
14-August, 2017 18:53 IST
President Confers Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) to Group Captain Subhash Singh Rao, Flying (Pilot)
EMBARGO : NOT TO BE PUBLISHED/BROADCAST/
OR USED ON SOCIAL MEDIA BEFORE 15 AUG 2017, 0001 HRS
On 10 Oct 2016, Wing Commander (Now Group Captain) Subhash Singh Rao, who was posted in a MiG-21 (Bis) Sqn as Flight Commander, was detailed for an Air Test sortie. After an uneventful sortie, when he came in for landing, he was informed that the starboard main wheel of his aircraft was misaligned. This abnormality, a serious defect, would have resulted in pilot abandoning the aircraft through ejection. This potentially hazardous situation would have resulted in total loss of the aircraft, decapitating injuries to pilot as well as loss of property on ground. The situation was averted due to the timely decision taken by Wing Commander Subhash Singh Rao. In a very short time he was able to correctly assess the situation at hand and correlate the emergency with a similar incident. He exercised extreme caution and displayed precision flying of the highest degree and took a courageous decision to execute the landing of the aircraft under stress. On landing, the wheel of the aircraft failed and the aircraft started going off the runway. Wing Commander Subhash Singh Rao displayed superior skills in maintaining control of the aircraft and stopped the aircraft on the runway, thereby saving the aircraft.
Even under a situation of considerable duress, Wing Commander (Now Group Captain) Rao maintained a cool and calm composure. He was able to communicate his chain of thoughts to the personnel on ground which further aided in the safe recovery of the aircraft without creating panic. Displaying exceptional courage, Wg Cdr Rao was able to make an extremely well executed landing of the aircraft. He was able to prevent the loss of one valuable fighter aircraft while at the same time ensuring that there was no loss of life and property on ground to any civil or military infrastructure.
For this act of exceptional courage, tenacity and valour beyond the call of duty shown for safely recovering a stricken aircraft, Wing Commander (Now Group Captain) Subhash Singh Rao is awarded Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry).
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Ministry of Defence
14-August, 2017 18:39 IST
Defence Minister’s Customary Broadcast to The Armed Forces
Following is the text of customary broadcast by the Defence Minister Shri Arun Jaitley to the Armed Forces personnel over All India Radio on the eve of the 71st Independence Day:
My Dear Jawans,
The country will be celebrating our 71st Independence Day tomorrow. On this momentous occasion, I extend my heartiest greetings and best wishes to each one of you serving in the Armed Forces. I extend my greetings to all serving personnel as well as ex-servicemen of the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Coast Guard. I also extend my best wishes to the family members of our Armed Forces personnel, many of whom are deployed far from their homes in not only tough terrain but also in deep seas.
2. On this auspicious occasion, my thoughts and gratitude are with the near and dear ones of all those who laid down their lives protecting our nation. We are forever indebted to them for their supreme sacrifice. Since the Armed Forces are at the forefront of our nation’s defence, I assure you that the Government will do all that is necessary to keep your morale high and to meet your functional requirements.
3. Despite our repeated requests to our Western neighbour not to use our territory occupied by it not only to train terrorists but also use it as launch pad for pushing these militants into India, such nefarious activities continued. We ran out of patience as these terrorists were not only targeting our Armed Forces but also civilians. Based on specific and credible inputs about some terrorist teams having positioned themselves at launch pads along Line of Control to carry out infiltration and conduct terrorist strikes in Jammu and Kashmir and in various metros in other States, the Indian Army conducted surgical strikes on 29 September last year at several of these launch pads to pre-empt infiltration by terrorists. The operations were focussed on ensuring that these terrorists did not succeed in their design to cause destruction and endanger the lives of our citizens. During these counter terrorist operations significant casualties were caused to terrorists and those providing support to them.
4. Even now our jawans continue to be vigilant on the Line of Control, defending the nation, as our adversary continues with its abhorrent acts. Some of our soldiers continue to make the supreme sacrifice while defending our motherland. The nation is indebted to their martyrdom.
5. The Government is committed for the welfare of our jawans. The Government has taken decision on recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission on Allowances, which will benefit 14 lakh Defence Forces personnel. Some of these include, rates of Siachen Allowance for extreme risk and hardship increased from Rs 14,000 per month to Rs 30,000 per month; Counter Insurgency Operations Allowance increased from between Rs 3,000 and 11,700 per month to between Rs 6,000 and 16,900 per month. Territorial Army Allowance increased from between Rs 175 and 450 per month to Rs 1,000 and 2,000 per month.
6. The welfare of Ex-Servicemen has been paramount for the government. The benefits of One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme started reaching the accounts of Ex-Servicemen and families since last year. Till July 10 this year, a sum of Rs 4,156 crores and Rs 2,385 crores have been paid towards first and second instalments of OROP arrears to around 20,40,000 Ex-Servicemen/family pensioners and 15,93,000 Ex-Servicemen respectively. Further, a sum of Rs 2,250 crores has also been paid to 15,13,000 Ex-Servicemen as third instalments of OROP arrears. The Government is also sympathetically considering the report of the one-man judicial committee headed by Justice L Narasimha Reddy on OROP to look into the anomalies, if any, arising out of implementation of OROP and will take decision soon.
7. The government has enhanced penury grant to non-pensioner Ex-Servicemen/Widows to Rs 4,000/- per month from the existing rate of Rs 1,000/- per month. We have approved the enhancement of the penury grant following the demands by different stake holders, including Ex-servicemen Associations, Rajya Sainik Boards, Ex-servicemen/widows. The grant is provided to non-pensioner Ex-servicemen/widows, who are above 65 years of age by the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare through Kendriya Sainik Board. It will benefit a large number of non-pensioner Ex-servicemen and widows who are virtually in a state of penury.
8. With the inspiration of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, to help create a spirit of respect for our real heroes, my esteemed cabinet colleague, Minister of Human Resource Development Shri Prakash Javadekar and Minister of State for Defence Dr. Subhash Bhamre jointly launched a campaign to have a ‘Wall of Valour’ in 1,000 educational institutions across the country in the Month of May. Portraits of Param Vir Chakra decorated soldiers will be displayed at designated places on educational campuses to instil sense of nationalism among the students.
9. I had privilege to inaugurate the Sainik Rest House at Naraina in New Delhi last month. It is built at a cost of around Rs 8 crore. I hope that this is the beginning of an initiative and the KSB will be able to expand on these in the years to come so that such facilities become an integral part of facilities for Ex-Servicemen. The facilities which have been created are extremely hygienic and very liveable. The Armed Forces have a tradition of maintaining their properties and preserving them well. And I am sure that the kind of modest charges which have been fixed will be of a great assistance and value to all serving and Ex-Servicemen.
10. With these words, I once again extend my greetings to all of you and your family members on the eve of 71st Independence Day. We fought long for our Independence and became Independent nation in which countless patriots immersed themselves in the struggle so that the new generation could live in a free India. The nation now looks to you to defend its borders with all your might and to the best of your strength & abilities so that all our people sleep in peace tonight so that we all see a new dawn together, tomorrow and to take our country to new heights of peace and prosperity for all our people.
11. Jai Hind!
