India Can Become Organic Food Basket Of World: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday pushed for major reforms in the farm sector on the occasion of the 78th Independence Day celebrations and emphasised efforts to make the lives of farmers in the country better.

Delivering his customary address on Thursday from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 78th Independence Day, the Prime Minister commended farmers for choosing organic farming and added that the country's farmers can make India the organic food basket of the world as it moves towards its goal of Viksit Bharat (developed India).

"We need to reform the farm sector. Today we are giving easy loans, tech, and valuation of produce. Today when everyone is concerned about the earth, we are grateful to farmers for choosing organic farming which we have made provisions for in the budget," the Prime Minister said.

"Organic food is a need. We can become the organic food basket of the world. We must strive to make the lives of farmers better," he added. "With new opportunities arising in India, I can confidently say that two key developments have accelerated our progress - the creation of modern infrastructure and 'ease of living'. We have made significant strides in upgrading our infrastructure and have placed equal emphasis on making life easier for everyone," the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the reforms undertaken by the central government in the past 10 years and said that this has increased self-confidence in the youth and their desire to take giant leaps. He said that after the independence there was an atmosphere of status quo in the country that needed to be broken.

"People waited for reforms, we got an opportunity and we implemented major reforms. Our commitment to reform is not restricted to editorials, our reforms are not for small praise it is for making the country strong. This has resulted in a rise in self-confidence. There are now many avenues open for our youngsters. The youth now does not want to walk slowly they want to jump to achieve new things, and they want to take giant leaps. This is a golden era for India," PM Modi said.

"We should not let this opportunity go. We will then achieve the goals of Viksit Bharat by 2047," he added.

"From tourism to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) to health--in every sector there is a new modern system. We have adopted best practices. Each sector needs new things, to use technology and we have to ensure these sectors get support. Let's all walk with all our strength and achieve all our goals," he said.

"Now is the time to live for Viksit Bharat 2047 and Indians are determined. We have to become Atmabirbhar in every field. It is the determination of the Indians that is driving my resolve. India can become a developed nation by 2047. There was a time when people had a do-or-die attitude and we got freedom and now we must have the strength to live for the nation that can make a strong India," he said.

The theme for this year's Independence Day is 'Viksit Bharat @ 2047,' aiming to drive the Government's efforts to transform India into a developed nation by 2047. (ANI)