New Delhi : With an eye on the coming general election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech on Tuesday presented his report card for the last 10 years and made a strong pitch for helming the country again promising a ‘golden moment’ for India in the next five years.

Addressing the nation from the Red Fort and referring to people as parivarjan (family members) instead of fellow citizens, Modi appealed to people to get rid of corruption, nepotism and appeasement.

Oozing with confidence to hit a hat-trick, Modi said that he will give an account of the country’s achievements in his Independence Day address to the nation from Red Fort next year.

“The next five years are for unprecedented development. The biggest golden moment to realise the dream of 2047 is the coming five years,” he said.

Noting that India has become the fifth largest economy in the world, leapfrogging from the 10th spot in 2014, Modi promised to make it the third largest globally in the next five years.

“In the coming five years, India will be in the top three economies. This is Modi’s guarantee,” the Prime Minister said during his 10th Independence Day speech.

The Prime Minister said that ‘reform, perform and transform’ are changing India.

Modi announced a scheme for skilled labourers. He said that Vishwakarma Yojana will be launched with initial funds of Rs 13,000-15,000 crore seeking to benefit skilled workers like goldsmiths, blacksmiths, masons and barbers who mostly come from OBC class.

Modi also said that the Centre will bring a scheme to provide interest relief on loans for those living in chawls, slums and rented houses in cities and want to build their own houses.

Speaking from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of 77th Independence Day today, Modi said that India stands with the people of Manipur and expressed confidence that there shall be a peaceful resolution of the problems there.

He said that there has been a period of unrest and violence in Manipur and news of attacks on the dignity of women.
“The state and the central government are working together to solve those problems and will continue to do so”, he said.