Independence Day LIVE | Hosting 2036 Olympics is India's dream, preparations on: Modi
It's India's dream to host 2036 Olympics, preparations are on: PM Narendra Modi
Asserting that India has the ability to stage large-scale global events, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the country is leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to host the Olympics in 2036.
Along with India, several other nations such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey are positioning themselves as strong contenders to host the sporting spectacle. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is expected to decide the host only next year after holding its elections.
"It is the dream of India to host the 2036 Olympics, we are making preparations for that," Modi said in his address to the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort on the 78th Independence Day.
The Prime Minister said India's successful hosting of the G20 Summit last September in New Delhi and other cities showcased the existing infrastructure in the nation.
"India organising the G20 Summit on a large scale has proven that India has the capability to organise large-scale events," he said.
India's audacious plan has been backed by current IOC head Thomas Bach. The last time India hosted an international multi-sport extravaganza was the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
For the 2036 Olympics, Ahmedabad is being seen as a front-runner to be the host city.
PM lauds Paris Olympics performance ======================== Modi also congratulated Indian athletes for their fine effort in the just-concluded Paris Olympics where the country managed six medals, including a silver and five bronze medals through athletics, shooting, hockey and wrestling.
"Today, we also have with us the youth who made the Indian flag fly high in the Olympics. On behalf of 140 crore countrymen, I congratulate all our athletes and players" he said.
Many top athletes were in attendance during his speech, including pistol shooter Manu Bhaker, who won two bronze medals in Paris, and members of the Indian hockey team, including star goalkeeper P R Sreejesh, who retired at the end of the side's bronze-winning performance.
The PM also extended his wishes to the Indian contingent that will take part in the Paralympics from August 28 to September 8 in Paris.
"In the next few days, a huge Indian contingent will leave for Paris to participate in the Paralympics. I extend best wishes to all our Paralympians," he added.
In the Tokyo Paralympics, India had won 19 medals – five gold, eight silver and six bronze. This time, the nation will be represented by 84 para-athletes in the Games.
PM Modi make fresh pitch for 'one nation, one election'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday made a strong pitch for 'one nation, one election' and urged political parties to come forward to realise the dream while contending that frequent polls were creating hurdles in the nation's progress.
Addressing the nation on the 78th Independence Day, he said extensive consultations have been held across the country on the issue and all political parties have given their views while a committee has submitted an excellent report.
"Frequent elections are creating hurdles in the progress of the nation. It has become easy to link any scheme/initiative with elections. There are elections somewhere every three to six months. Every work is linked to elections," Modi said from the ramparts of the Red Fort.
"The nation has to come forward for one nation, one election," he said.
The prime minister urged political parties "from the Red Fort and with the national tricolour as a witness to ensure the nation's progress".
He also asked the parties to ensure that "national resources are used for the common man. We have to come forward to realise the dream of one nation one election".
'One nation, one election' is one of the key promises made by the BJP in its manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections.
India only G20 nation to achieve climate targets under Paris Agreement ahead of schedule: PM
India is the only country among G20 nations to have achieved its climate targets under the 2015 Paris Agreement ahead of schedule, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday.
Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 78th Independence Day, he said India's efforts to tackle the global issue of climate change have "reassured and surprised" the world.
"I want to tell the world about the strength of my country's people. My country and its people have accomplished what other G20 nations have not.
"We have met the climate targets set under the Paris Agreement ahead of schedule. India is the only nation among the G20 countries to do so, and we are proud of it," the prime minister said.
As part of its national climate plan, or Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, India has committed to achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based electricity installed capacity by 2030.
The prime minister expressed his confidence that India will meet this target.
"This is important for humanity and will serve as a guarantee of a bright future for our children," he said.
At present, the country has a power generation capacity of 446 gigawatts (GW), including around 195 GW from non-fossil energy sources.
Govt will build such an education system so that youngsters need not go abroad:PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said his government wants to build such an education system in the country so that youngsters need not have to go abroad for studies.
Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 78th Independence Day, Modi also said the government wants more foreign students to come to India and study.
"We want to build such an education system in India that youngsters do not need to go abroad to study. In fact we would want foreign students to come here and study," he said.
The prime minister also announced that an additional 75,000 medical seats will be created in the next five years.
"Even today, children, mostly belonging to the middle class, are going abroad for medical education. They spend lakhs and crores on medical education abroad. Around 25,000 youths every year go abroad for medical education and they go to such countries, I get surprised when I hear about them.
"So we have decided, 75,000 new seats will be created in the medical line in the next five years," Modi added.
PM Modi urges states to make clear policies to attract investors
PM Modi says, "Today, many big companies and investors of the world want to invest in India. This is a golden opportunity. I urge the State governments to make clear policies to attract investors and give assurance of good governance and law and order situation to them. There should be competition between States to attract maximum investors. Their policies should changed or molded as per global requirements..."