This year, will the PM make the Independence Day speech citizens want to hear?
By : Kiran Bedi
Mr Prime Minister, allow me to present you with a draft of your Independence Day speech that this country is eager to hear :
My fellow Indians, i stand here today, on this day of immense patriotism, to ask for redemption. I know that events that have unfolded before us over the last several months do not make any of us proud or indeed happy about our moral compass as a nation that stands shoulder to shoulder with the rest of the world. And while i may be guilty as charged by some of you on not speaking enough about these matters in the past, i do so now with the utmost conviction.
First, please allow me the privilege of highlighting some of our achievements since i last spoke to you from the ramparts of this historic monument.
One, as a result of our social and economic policies, we lifted tens of millions of people above the poverty line.
Two, as a nation we achieved a world leading growth rate of over 8%.
Three, FDI inflows reached record levels and major sectors were deregulated further to allow for better productivity and job creation.
Four, tele-density, electricitydensity and broadband penetration rose significantly to reach even the remotest areas. Five, as a member of the G20 and the WTO, we increased our leverage with other powers by negotiating significant trade and nuclear agreements for ourselves. Six, women and dalits now form more than a third of our elected representatives, thereby ensuring that their voice is amply heard.
While i could go on with the complete list which is quite long given what we can and have accomplished as a nation, i know most of you are concerned that we might wither away the advantage we have come to enjoy because of these very accomplishments.
As i stand before you today, my fellow countrymen, i feel the pain in your hearts and the wariness of your spirits. Unfortunately, the list of scam-tainted issues is also long. These events have cast such a cloud of aspersion on our achievements as a great nation that they have thrown into doubt even the relevance and sanctity of some of our finest democratic institutions.
I am not here to either defend the government or to lay blame at someone else’s door. We have had many occasions to do so and will continue to have many more.
I am here to ask you for one more chance at redeeming your faith and trust in these very same institutions as well as newer ones that we intend to create in order to lead our country to its rightful place in the world. While the errors of omission and commission are best left to the investigative agencies and the judiciary to evaluate and act on, i wish to outline my plan for the next 600 days.
One, we will enact a strong and airtight anti-corruption law, which includes effective whistleblower protection and swift justice, that will weed out this menace that afflicts our country. I am painfully aware that this menace has touched each and every one of you in some form. Ours is a democracy of the people and i will ensure that we are proud of what we collectively put out. I will ensure that my office is included in the purview of such a law for i must lead by example. As should every member of every public service in this country of ours.
Two, my team shall be available to you via public forums, including the internet, to listen to your feedback and grievances.
Three, i shall ensure coordination, due deliberation and timebound decisions amongst all members of my cabinet with full accountability and transparency. All decisions shall stand the test of fairness and professionalism. The common man’s interest shall be the end goal and this intent will never be suspect.
Four, to improve governance standards, i have instructed all ministers and bureaucrats to make at least two field visits, one announced and the other unannounced, to their respective constituencies – schools, hospitals, public services, offices, police stations, ration offices, Railways, post and telegraph, passport and the like – to ensure their smooth functioning.
Five, my office will review the service delivery mechanisms of each ministry on a quarterly basis to ensure that these are kept honest and efficient.
Six, our borders are secure because our defence forces and i will ensure that our safety, security, sovereignty and freedom to live, as we desire, are not compromised in any fashion. Seven, i am thankful to our free although not always fair media for their constant hawk eye on us. I am sure they will be equal partners in the enormous tasks that lie before us.
We are a nation of high accomplishments. We have many more milestones to reach. We may not have put a man on the moon yet but we certainly made a woman capable of going to space. And let us each do our part on this road to collective excellence. Let us resolve that you too shall fully comply with the law of our land and deliver on your citizen responsibilities.
My fellow countrymen, it is time to reclaim our destiny. And we do not have a moment to waste. I am conscious that my seeking redemption may be construed as admission of poor performance. So be it. I am willing to face your vote of confidence. I am confident that with your renewed trust we shall win together as a nation.
Jai Hind...!!!!
The writer is a former IPS officer and a social activist.
