Independence Day 2024: As the nation came together to celebrate its 78th Independence Day, the air was filled with a sense of anticipation, pride, and reflection. The Independence Day celebration, an event eagerly awaited across the country, marks a speech by the Prime Minister from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi. As the tricolour soared high, the address of PM Narendra Modi today touched on the aspirations, challenges, and resilient spirit of the nation.
This year, India faced significant challenges due to climate-related disasters. The PM acknowledged the toll these events have taken, with disasters claiming lives and causing damage multiple times in the past year. His remarks on these crises offered a mix of somber reflection and the familiar calls for solidarity and rebuilding, expressing sympathy for those affected and emphasising the need to rise above adversity.
One notable part of the speech was the PM’s call for citizens to channel the spirit of those who sacrificed for freedom, drawing a parallel between their struggles and the present-day pursuit of a prosperous India.
The ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ vision was reiterated as a goal for a self-reliant and resilient nation. He mentioned citizens’ suggestions, focusing on sustainable development through greenfield cities and capacity building. It was his maiden Independence Day speech as PM in the year 2014 when he emphasised the importance of sanitation and a clean environment, leading to the launch of ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ campaign.
Significant progress has since been claimed, including the ‘Nal Se Jal’ scheme that has benefitted 15 crore families, though critical challenges remain.
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Balancing Economic Growth With Ecological Concerns
In a world dealing with the impacts of climate change, India's focus on energy independence through renewable sources was a key point in the PM’s speech. He noted India’s progress in renewable energy, as he said the country has outpaced several G20 nations in this area.
The mention of reducing dependency on fossil fuels aligns with global efforts to address climate change, highlighting ambitions for energy self-reliance and a leadership role in renewables.
Modi also touched upon the development of modern infrastructure, including railways, roads, and airports, emphasising its significance for connectivity — from connecting places to connecting people, ideas, and opportunities. This modern infrastructure is critical to India's growth story, providing the foundation for economic activities, job creation, improved quality of life and making India a global hub of commerce. However, an addition of resilience would make it forward looking, appropriate and sustainable.
On agriculture, which remains central to India’s economy, the PM reiterated the government’s focus on sustainable farming practices. The emphasis was on soil fertility and the role of natural farming, with recent budget provisions cited as supportive measures. The goal is to make India an ‘organic food basket’ for the world, framed as both a strategy for boosting agricultural exports and a step towards ensuring food security and environmental sustainability. The approach reflects a need to balance economic growth with ecological concerns.
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Why Sustainable India Is An Achievable Goal
India has highlighted its efforts as a significant player in addressing climate change, a critical global issue. These are not just concerns but actions are also being implemented, such as the ban on single-use plastics and the expansion of renewable energy. These initiatives are positioned as part of India’s commitment to sustainability, with implications not just for the nation but for the world, given that climate change is a borderless issue.
The PM in his speech specifically focused on India’s commitment to achieving a net-zero future, emphasising targets like 500 GW of renewable energy and making the Indian Railways net zero by 2030. These ambitious but achievable goals that could transform global challenges into growth and innovation opportunities.
Modi also talked about the ‘PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana’ that aims to provide affordable electricity (300 units free) to 1 crore middle-class families, which could save Rs 15,000 crore annually. The plan also allows for income generation by selling surplus power to electricity distribution companies (DISCOMs). This aligns with broader initiatives promoting electric vehicles and other green energy solutions.
Another key point in his speech was the ambition to make India a global hub for green hydrogen. Green hydrogen is described as the future of energy, with India positioned as a leading player in this area. The development of a green hydrogen economy is tied to job creation and economic growth, reinforcing India’s position in the global energy landscape.
These initiatives highlight the potential for growth in green jobs. As global demand for green jobs increases, India, with its young workforce and government policies, is well-positioned to meet this demand. The PM called on the country’s youth to seize these opportunities, aiming for India to lead not only in green energy production but also in green employment.
The PM’s speech was a call to action, stressing that the clear path to ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ will require decisions focused on environmental sustainability. This, however, will need collective effort, agility, and a shared vision. But while the challenges — from natural disasters to climate change — are significant, so are the opportunities.
The vision of a sustainable India is an achievable goal, contingent on national unity and dedication.
P K Joshi is Professor with School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
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