Into: Most Prime Ministers, even those who are thought to be good speakers, have used the occasion of Independence Day to issue dire warnings to Pakistan and for tedious grandstanding. But Modi was refreshingly different and he took everyone by surprise. He gave definition of e-Governance that will strike a chord with every Indian who is pining for better governance. Modi said e-Governance is “easy governance, effective governance and economical governance.”
The most noteworthy thing about the India’s 68th Independence Day is the massive interest that the ordinary citizens of this country have shown in the speech of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This time there was an impressive public participation at the Independence Day ceremony at Red Fort in New Delhi. And a much larger number of people watched Modi’s speech on their TV screens. Perhaps this is the first time in more than 10 years that the Independence Day speech of a Prime Minister has aroused such interest in the ordinary citizens, who, till only few months ago, were being regarded (perhaps contemptuously) by the ruling elite as aam aadmi/mango men.
The best thing about Prime Minister Modi’s speech is that he did not use the term aam aadmi while referring to the Indian citizens. He treated the citizens as his equals by calling them baheno aur bhaiyon (sisters and brothers).
Before August 15, there was lot of speculation on what the Prime Minister was going to say in his Independence Day speech. We have, over the years, heard many speeches being delivered from the ramparts of the Red Fort. But most Prime Ministers, even those who are thought to be good speakers, have used the occasion to issue dire warnings to Pakistan and for tedious grandstanding. Modi was refreshingly different and he took everyone by surprise; no one could have guessed that he would use the occasion to speak on some of the most basic issues and challenges that our people face. He talked about the elementary steps that every Indian can take to improve the quality of his life and that of other citizens.
Along with other things, he also spoke about the idea of empowering India through digital technology and e-Governance. “First rail connected everyone. Now it will be mobile governance for the poor. Digital India can compete with the world,” he said. On how the international image of India had changed due to the success that many Indian professionals and companies have achieved in the field of software, he said, “The world used to think we are a land of snake charmers and black magic. But our youth has surprised the world with its IT skills.”
He stated that the “digital India” that he envisioned would bring maximum benefits to the poor. He called for “good governance through e-Governance” and talked about connecting villages with broadband to provide education and telemedicine facilities to every Indian.” He shed light on his vision for using mobile phones to improve the delivery system and help the poor draw the benefits of government schemes. Most importantly, from the Red Fort he announced a definition of e-Governance that will strike a chord with every Indian who is pining for better governance. Modi said e-Governance is “easy governance, effective governance and economical governance.”
-Anoop Verma
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