On Friday, India
celebrated its 79th Independence Day with great
enthusiasm. This great festival is not just a date, but a living expression of
the countless sacrifices of the freedom struggle and tireless efforts of nation
building. On this historic occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while
addressing the nation on 79th Independence Day from the ramparts of the Red Fort, imbued the 140 crore people of the country with the spirit of unity, pride
and progress. The focus of his speech was the internal security of the country,
faith in the Constitution and the success story of those areas which were once
a challenge for India.
While on the one hand the
Prime Minister described the success of campaigns like 'Har Ghar Tiranga' as a
symbol of the growing national consciousness of the country, on the other hand
he paid special attention to the extraordinary progress made in Naxal-affected
areas. His statement, especially the reference to the exclusion of Bastar and
Kondagaon districts from the list of Naxal-affected districts, is an indication
of a new era of India's security and development policy. Prime Minister Modi
described the occasion of Independence Day as a grand festival of 140 crore Indians.
He said that this festival is not just a
celebration of the government or any one institution, but of the collective
achievements and aspirations of every citizen. The feeling of unity that has
developed in the country is the biggest strength of Indian democracy. The
Constitution of India, which is the result of the vision of Dr. Rajendra
Prasad, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, Pandit Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Dr.
Radhakrishnan and women like Katyani, is still showing us the direction.
The Prime Minister's
commitment to the Constitution was clearly visible in this speech. He
acknowledged that democracy is not just a process of voting, but a powerful
medium to move towards social justice, equal opportunity and sustainable
development. This constitutional structure is taking the message of law, rights
and development to every corner of the country.
The Prime Minister
discussed the problem of Naxalism in detail and said that there was a time when
125 districts of the country were affected by Naxalism,
today this number has come down to only 20 districts. This
change is no coincidence but a direct result of the strategic thinking of the
Central and State Governments, the dedication of the security forces and the
participation of the people.
Specifically referring to
the districts of Bastar and Kondagaon, the Prime Minister pointed out that
these were the areas once known as the Red Corridor, dominated by Maoist
violence, insecurity and mistrust of the state machinery, but today these areas
have become Green Corridors, a symbol of development, peace and opportunities.
The term itself reflects the extent to which India has gained control over one
of its biggest internal security crises.
The recent removal of
Bastar and Kondagaon from the list of Naxal-affected districts by the Central
Government is not just an administrative decision but a historic turning point.
Bastar, which was a bastion of Maoist insurgency for more than two decades, is
today on the path to peace. The 2023 Assembly elections
recorded a voter turnout of 84.6% in Bastar and 81.7% in Kondagaon, not only a testament to democratic
participation but also a sign of public trust and a sense of security.
There has been a
significant decline in incidents of violence in these districts. For instance,
Kondagaon has recorded only one encounter in the last five years, when two
senior Maoist commanders were killed by security forces on 16
April, indicating that the roots of Maoist activities have been weakened, and
the government's security apparatus has become more organised, professional and
people-oriented.
The Prime Minister
proudly pointed out that areas once plagued by red terror are now witnessing
development. The Indian tricolour is now being hoisted in areas once painted
red by the Maoists, an indicator of not just a symbolic change but a
reestablishment of the legitimacy of governance and the restoration of
constitutional order.
Bastar and surrounding
areas are now witnessing rapid development of infrastructure. Unprecedented
progress is being recorded in areas such as roads, schools, hospitals,
electricity, water and digital connectivity. The government's policy of 'Sabka
Saath, Sabka Vikas' is now being realised in these areas, which remained
neglected and isolated for decades.
In addition, awareness
and participation in sports has increased among the youth. The Prime Minister
specifically mentioned that youth from areas like Bastar are now coming forward
to participate in the Olympics. This social change is proof that when a society
gets an opportunity, it can move its life in a positive direction by staying
away from violence.
Naxalism was not just a
security challenge, but the result of social, economic and administrative
failures. There was a lack of public confidence in these areas which were cut
off from development for decades, but now when the government has focused on education,
health, employment and infrastructure, then the people there have started
joining the mainstream.
Specifically referring to
Bastar and Kondagaon districts, the Prime Minister pointed out that these were
the areas once known as the Red Corridor, a region dominated by Maoist
violence, insecurity and mistrust of the state machinery, but today these areas
have become Green Corridors, a symbol of development, peace and opportunities.
The term itself reflects the extent to which India has gained control over one
of its biggest internal security crises.
The recent removal of
Bastar and Kondagaon from the list of Naxal-affected districts by the Central
Government is not just an administrative decision but a historic turning point.
Bastar, which was a bastion of Maoist insurgency for over two decades, is today
on the path to peace. The 2023 Assembly elections recorded
a voter turnout of 84.6% in Bastar and 81.7%
in Kondagaon, which is not only a testimony to democratic participation but
also a symbol of public trust and a sense of security.
There has been a
significant decline in incidents of violence in these districts. For example,
Kondagaon has recorded only one encounter in the last five years, when two
senior Maoist commanders were killed by security forces on April 16,
indicating that Maoist activities have been weakened, and the government's
security apparatus has become more organised, professional and people-oriented.
The Prime Minister
proudly pointed out that areas once plagued by red terror are now witnessing
development. The Indian tricolour is now being hoisted in areas once painted
red by the Maoists, which is not just a symbolic change but an indicator of the
legitimacy of governance and the restoration of constitutional order.
Bastar and surrounding
areas are now witnessing rapid development of infrastructure. Unprecedented
progress is being recorded in areas such as roads, schools, hospitals,
electricity, water and digital connectivity. The government's policy of 'Sabka
Saath, Sabka Vikas' is now being realised in these areas, which remained
neglected and isolated for decades.
In addition, awareness
and participation in sports has increased among the youth. The Prime Minister
specifically mentioned that youth from regions like Bastar are now coming
forward to participate in the Olympics. This social change is proof that when a
society gets an opportunity, it can move its life in a positive direction by
staying away from violence.
Naxalism was not just a
security challenge but the result of social, economic and administrative
failures. Cut off from development for decades, there was a lack of public
confidence in these areas, but now that the government has focused on
education, health, employment and infrastructure, people there have started
joining the mainstream.
Empowering gram
panchayats, respecting tribal culture, recruiting local youth, and
strengthening the process of dialogue, all these efforts together have created
an environment in which Naxalism is now becoming irrelevant. This is the story
of a war won not just with guns, but with faith.
The story of Bastar and
Kondagaon indicates a decisive shift in India's internal security policy. This
change is not a result of a mere defensive approach, but a development-centric
and human-oriented strategy. Unless the political will is strong, no policy can
be implemented. The Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister
Modi has shown that when the resolve is strong and the strategy is inclusive,
even the toughest challenges can be overcome.
Overall, on this occasion
of 79th Independence Day, India did not just remember its
past but also looked towards the future with hope. Prime Minister Modi's speech
was not just a bundle of words but a glimpse of an India that is rising above
violence, mistrust and separation and moving on the path of peace, harmony and
prosperity.
The story of Bastar and
Kondagaon is an example of the fact that when the government, society and
security forces work together, change is inevitable. These are the areas which
were once a concern for the country, now they have become a reason for pride.
Today, when we are celebrating the Amritkaal of Independence, it is necessary
that we bring the spirit of this new India of unity, development and people's
empowerment into our lives. This is not just the victory of Bastar, it is the
victory of India. This is the victory of the tricolor.
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