I Day: PM Modi addresses nation from Red Fort, announces launch of new healthcare scheme

Modi announced Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Abhiyaan,  a new healthcare scheme, which the Prime Minister said will "ensure that the poor of India get access to good quality and affordable healthcare".

He said: "The healthcare initiatives of the Government of India will have a positive impact on 50 crore Indians. It is essential to ensure that we free the poor of India from the clutches of poverty due to which they cannot afford healthcare."

The scheme will be launched on Sep 25.

Image: twitter.com/narendramodi

From efforts to curb black money to Triple Talaq bill, Modi touched upon every works his government had undertaken.

Referring to the passage of OBC bill in the parliament, Modi said: "The recently concluded Parliament session was one devoted to social justice. The Parliament session witnessed the passage of the Bill to create an OBC Commission."

The Prime Minister also took a dig at the previous government, which was run by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA), saying, "if we had continued at the same pace at which toilets were being built in 2013, the pace at which electrification was happening in 2013, then it would have taken us decades to complete them."

Accusing the Opposition of delaying the implementation of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for the farmers while they were in power, Modi said: "The demand for higher MSP was pending for years. From farmers to political parties to agriculture experts, everybody was asking about it but nothing happened. With the blessings of the farmers, the decision on MSP was taken by our Government."

Image: twitter.com/narendramodi

Touching upon the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST), which came into effect from July 1, 2017, Modi thanked the country's business community for the success of the biggest tax reform.

Highlighting the implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP), Modi said: "The OROP demand was pending for decades. The people of India, our brave army personnel had faith in us and we were able to take a decision on OROP. We will always take decisions in the interests of our nation."

In a complete election speech, Modi pitched in his vision to curb black money in the country and also urged people to pay taxes honestly.

He said: "We will not forgive the corrupt and those who have black money. They have ruined the nation. Delhi's streets are free from power brokers. From the voice of power brokers, the voice of the poor is heard."

"The honest taxpayer of India has a major role in the progress of the nation. It is due to them that so many people are fed, the lives of the poor are transformed."

From the Red Fort, Modi indirectly took a swipe at several opposition parties for blocking the Triple Talaq bill, which will end the instant divorce of Muslim wives, in the parliament.

Image: twitter.com/narendramodi

Ensuring the passage of the bill, the Prime Minister said: "The practice of Triple Talaq has caused great injustice among Muslim women. We are trying to end this practice but there are some people who are not wanting it to end. I ensure the Muslim women that I will work to ensure justice is done to them."

Moving to the northern part of the country, Modi assured that he will end the constitutional crisis in Jammu and Kashmir by holding elections in the state at the panchayat level.

He also said "embracing people" can only resolve the violence in the Kashmir valley.

The Prime Minister did not forget to say that India's image in the world has improved. "India's voice is being heard effectively at the world stage. We are integral parts of forums whose doors were earlier closed for us."