PM Modi seeks youth from non-political families to join politics, fight nepotism

In a broadside against the culture of nepotism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Independence Day speech spoke of a "political landscape free of dynastic rule" as he gave a call to induct those with no political legacy in their families into the country's political system.

While addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Thursday, the Prime Minister spoke about inducting one lakh youth who have no political legacy into the political system stating that the mission was aimed at fighting the "evils of nepotism and casteism" and inducting fresh blood into India's polity.

"India's democracy is being undermined by the ills of 'Parivarvad' and 'Jaativad'. It's essential to free our political landscape from the grip of dynastic rule! Our mission is to empower a new generation of leaders - one lakh young individuals who don't have any political legacy in their families," the PM said.

"We want to see young people without any family connections in politics step forward, lead, and represent the people," PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister also made an indirect attack on the opposition and said that though the country is moving forward with a single resolution some people cannot "tolerate" the progress.

"We are moving forward with the same resolution but there are some people who cannot tolerate progress or think of India's progress unless it benefits them. They want anarchy. The country needs to protect itself from this handful of pessimistic people," PM Modi said.

He also highlighted the reforms undertaken by the central government in the past 10 years and said that this has increased self-confidence in the youth and their desire to take giant leaps.

"People waited for reforms, we got an opportunity and we implemented major reforms. Our commitment to reform is not restricted to editorials, our reforms are not for small praise it is for making the country strong. There are now many avenues open for our youngsters. The youth now does not want to walk slowly they want to jump to achieve new things, and they want to take giant leaps. This is a golden era for India," PM Modi said.

"We should not let this opportunity go. We will then achieve the goals of Viksit Bharat by 2047," he said.

The Prime Minister also urged the country to work towards a developed nation to be achieved by 2047. He said that 40 crore Indians showed strength and courage to drive away the British decades ago.

PM Modi said that while the country is faced with challenges both external and internal. more such challenges are bound to come. "I want to say to such forces that India's development will not pose a threat to anyone. The world should not worry seeing India's development," PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister emphasised that the country's progress should never come at the expense of others. "War is not our road. We are the country of Buddha. Despite all the challenges, we must move ahead. Can anyone imagine people condoning corruption openly? Those who are trying to condone corruption are a concern," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also pushed for major reforms in the farm sector and emphasised on efforts to make the lives of farmers better.

The Prime Minister commended the farmers for choosing organic farming and added that India can become the organic food basket of the world as it moves towards Viksit Bharat.

"We need to reform the farm sector. Today we are giving easy loans, tech, and valuation of produce. We are grateful to farmers for choosing organic farming. This time in the budget we have made a huge provision with huge schemes to promote natural farming. Today, if any food basket of organic food can be created for the world, then it can be my country, which can be made by our farmers. We can become the organic food basket of the world. We must strive to make lives of farmers better," he said.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the reforms undertaken by the central government in the past 10 years and said that this has increased self-confidence in the youth and their desire to take giant leaps. He said that after independence, there was an atmosphere of status quo in the country that needed to be broken.

"People waited for reforms, we got an opportunity and we implemented major reforms. Our commitment to reform is not restricted to editorials, our reforms are not for small praise it is for making the country strong. This has resulted in a rise in self-confidence. There are now many avenues open for our youngsters. The youth now does not want to walk slowly they want to jump to achieve new things, and they want to take giant leaps," the Prime Minister said.

"This is a golden era for India," PM Modi said.

"We should not let this opportunity go. We will then achieve the goals of Viksit Bharat by 2047," he said.

The Prime Minister also urged the country to work towards the goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. He said that decades ago, 40 crore Indians showed strength and courage to drive away the British.

"Before Independence, 40 crore Indians showed courage, dedication and bravery and moved with one motto, and broke the shackles of colonial rule despite all adversaries. Their only goal was freedom. If 40 crore Indians could do this, then 140 crore Indians of my family can do wonders if they take one pledge then despite all challenges we can make a Viksit Bharat by 2047," PM Modi said.

"Now is the time to live for Viksit Bharat 2047 and Indians are determined. We have to become Atmabirbhar in every field. It is the determination of the Indians that is driving my resolve. India can become a developed nation by 2047. There was a time when people had a do-or-die attitude and we got freedom and now we must have the strength to live for the nation that can make a strong India," the Prime Minister said.

PM Modi was warmly welcomed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other dignitaries as he arrived earlier for the celebrations at Red Fort. The Prime Minister was dressed in a white kurta and blue vest and sported a traditional multicolour safa.

This year's celebration marks the 11th time PM Modi addressed the nation from the Red Fort on Independence Day, making him the third Prime Minister after Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi to achieve this milestone. The theme for this year's Independence Day is 'Viksit Bharat @ 2047,' aiming to drive the Government's efforts to transform India into a developed nation by 2047.