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Best is yet to come: Manmohan

Photo: R.V. Moorthy

ON A CONFIDENT NOTE: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh addresses the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi on Independence Day. —

New Delhi: Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 60th Independence Day, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hailed that “we have built the firm foundations of an open society and an open economy,” and reiterated the “quest for a caring, sharing and an inclusive society.”

While stressing the “unity in diversity” theme, he said “those who profess hatred and extremism, those who spread the virus of communalism and those who believe in violence and terrorism have no place in our society.” He reiterated that “let there be no doubt in anyone’s mind that the Government is firm in its resolve to fight all forms of extremism and terrorism.”

The Prime Minister’s 40-minute address was devoted entirely to showcasing the Government’s concern for the “aam aadmi.” However, it was conspicuously silent on the most controversial issue of the day — the nuclear agreement with the U.S.

Dr. Singh highlighted the “significant increase in public expenditure in the social sectors” in the last three years, including the “historic” National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.

He announced that a special programme entailing an investment of Rs. 25,000 crore in agriculture would soon be launched.” “Farmers are the backbone of our nation. Unless they prosper, the nation cannot prosper. I reassure our farmers that their welfare lies at the core of all our concerns,” he said.

“Our economy is now growing at historically unprecedented rates. However, we cannot become a nation with islands of high growth and vast areas untouched by development, where the benefits of growth accrue only to a few. This is good neither for our society nor for our polity.”

Dr. Singh made public the Government’s commitment to the “social safety” and “economic security” of the vast work-force in the unorganised sector.

The Prime Minister also devoted considerable attention to the need to create an educated India. He pointed to the “tripling of public spending on education in the last three years;” promised Government support for 6,000 new high quality schools — one in every block of the country; and, assured help to the States in setting up colleges in 370 districts with low levels of enrolment.

Dr. Singh promised setting up of five Indian Institutes of Science Education, eight Indian Institutes of Technology, seven Indian Institutes of Management and 20 Indian Institutes of Information Technology. “From this historic Red Fort, I would like this message to go to every corner of India – we will make India a nation of educated people, of skilled people, of creative people.”

The Prime Minister appeared keen on avoiding the rhetoric of “shining India,” but observed, “We need at least a decade of hard work and of sustained growth to realise our dreams.”

He ended on a confident note saying: “We are a young nation. More importantly, we are a nation of young people. Once unleashed, the energy of our youth will drive India on to a new growth path. I assure you that for each one of you, and for our country, the best is yet to come.”

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