In Independence day speech, Modi sets up 2019 battle

In his last Independence Day address before the next General Elections, Prime Minister Modi announced not just the launch date for his ambitious health insurance scheme, Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Abhiyan, but also that women officers in short service commissions in uniformed services will be eligible for permanent commission similar to male counterparts.

The speech, at 82 minutes, repeatedly compared his own government’s achievements to the “situation in 2013”, a phrase packed with political meaning.

It was a speech that delineated the political and governance contours of his government and gave clues to the political face off ahead next year. The speech was not just a report card of his tenure as Prime Minister but a signal on future priorities if elected back.

He said India will launch its first manned space mission by 2022 which could make it the fourth nation to do so after the United States, Russia and China.

As emphasis went, the speech dwelt the longest on women and the poor. Mr. Modi not only decried the “demonic tendencies” of violence against women but lauded fast track courts dealing with rape cases handing out death penalties in several cases (a mention that got a round of applause from the audience too).

He also announced that women short service commission officers in uniformed forces would get permanent commissions on transparent lines. “I’m proud to say that my Cabinet has the largest representation of women since independence,” he said. He made a special mention of his government’s efforts at bringing a bill banning the practice of Triple Talaq among Muslims. “We tried to pass the Bill in the last session but there are those who have an interest in blocking it. It is my promise to my Muslim sisters that my government will try get the Bill passed,” he said.

Wearing a saffron pheta or headgear, Prime Minister Modi also emphasised the speed at which his government had moved on basic developmental work like providing power, housing and toilets in villages and small towns. “We have the same people and systems but look at the speed at which things have been done. Achievements of this government have to be weighed in against what went on before, in 2013,” he said, aimed at the previous UPA government and its alleged policy paralysis.