PM says situation in Manipur improving; peace only way to resolve problems

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the situation in Manipur, which witnessed violence in the past few weeks, was improving and urged the people in the northeastern state to build on the peace restored there.

Addressing the 77th Independence Day celebrations from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Modi said the entire nation is with Manipur, and the Centre and the state government were making every effort to find a solution and will continue to do so.

“In the past few weeks, during the period of violence in the North East, especially in Manipur, many people lost their lives, and the honor of mothers and daughters suffered a lot, but in the last few days, there are reports of peace. The nation is with Manipur,” the Prime Minister said at the outset of his 10th consecutive address from the Red Fort.

“The people of Manipur should build on the peace that has been restored over the past few days. The path for a solution will be found through peace in Manipur,” the Prime Minister said.

Decisions taken in ‘Amrit Kaal’ will impact coming millennium: He said decisions and actions taken during the “Amrit Kaal” — the period until 2047, the centenary of India’s Independence — will impact the millennium to come.

Addressing the nation on the 77th Independence Day, he said India is out of the “slave mentality” and marching ahead with new confidence and resolve.

“We are fortunate to live in the ‘Amrit Kaal’ of independence. The decisions we make in this ‘Amrit Kaal’, our actions and sacrifices, would pave the way for a glorious history spanning the next millennium,” PM Modi said.

Keeping with tradition since 2014:  Modi sported a multicolour Rajasthani bandhani print turban with an off-white kurta and churidar for the 77th Independence Day celebrations at the historic Red Fort.

For his 10th Independence Day speech as prime minister, Modi also wore a black V-neck jacket with the turban which was a mix of yellow, green and red colour with a long tail.

It was in keeping with the tradition of PM Modi wearing colourful turbans on every Independence Day since 2014.

Days of serial bombings over, terror incidents came down:  Lauding the defence forces of the country, PM Modi  said as India’s economic development strengthened the defence sector of the country and defence reforms are going on relentlessly to ensure that Indian soldiers are always battle ready. “My dear family members, we used to hear about bomb blast incidents every now and then — in the past. There used to be announcements alerting people about possible bomb scares. There used to be a warning written that ‘do not touch this bag’ etc. But today the country is secured. When a country is secure, it makes steadfast progress. Days of serial bombing is now over,” PM Modi said.

“Innocent people used to be the victims of such incidents. There has been a drastic reduction in terror incidents. The Naxal areas too have seen a change,” PM Modi said in his 10th Independence Day speech. Sending a strong message of unity, PM Modi said unity should be the national character of India. “Whichever nation progressed showed a strong national character. And unity should be our national character,” PM Modi said.

Modi asks 140 cr Indians to get rid of corruption, nepotism, appeasement as three sins:  Modi decried corruption, nepotism and appeasement as three sins, calling for getting rid of them. Addressing the 10th consecutive address on the 77th Independence Day at Red Fort in New Delhi, Modi said, “It is the commitment of my life to keep fighting against corruption. Second, dynasty politics has ruined the country. It has taken away the rights of people. And the third evil is appeasement which has left a blot on the national character. We have to fight against these three evils with full force – corruption, dynasty politics and appeasement,” says PM Modi in his Independence Day speech at Red Fort.”

Modi said politics of appeasement has inflicted the most harm on social justice. The country has to resolve to not tolerate corruption in any form.

“I will give an account of the country’s achievements on next August 15 from Red Fort,” Modi in his last Independence Day speech ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Taking a veiled attack on dynastic politics, Modi said, “In 2014, the people decided that to take the country forward, a stable and strong government is needed. India was freed from the era of instability.”

Modi said in 2014, after 30 years, the country decided it was time for a change and elected a government that would guarantee them changes.

“The ball is in our court, and we should not let go of opportunity; no ifs and buts on anyone’s mind about India’s capabilities,” Modi added.