Independence Day 2020: PM Modi Launches National Digital Health Mission

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced the launch of the National Digital Health Mission under which every Indian will get a health ID that will store the individual's medical records.

In his Independence Day address, the prime minister said the mission would help reduce problems in getting treatment in various health facilities across the country and would herald a new revolution in the health sector.

"From today, a big campaign is being launched in which technology will play a big role. The National Digital Health Mission is being launched today. This will bring a new revolution in India's health sector and it will help reduce problems in getting treatment with the help of technology," he said.

"Every Indian will be given a health ID. This health ID will work as each Indian's health account," Modi said. Every test, disease and diagnosis, and medical reports along with medicines will be stored in every citizen's health ID. These health issues will be resolved through this National Digital Health Mission, Modi said while announcing the scheme.

Source: PTI

'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' was the centrepiece of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day address as he presented a broad outline for spurring India's growth in diverse sectors and asserted that the coronavirus pandemic cannot halt the country's march towards self-reliance.

In his seventh straight Independence Day speech from the ramparts of Red Fort, Modi made a host of new announcements including the launch of a national digital health mission, the goal of connecting all six lakh villages with optical fibres in 1,000 days and the promise of holding assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir after the delimitation exercise is over.

Modi also chose the occasion to deliver a warning to India's hostile neighbours saying the armed forces have given a befitting reply to those who challenged the country's sovereignty "from LoC to LAC" in their own language.

In a reference to the border row with China in eastern Ladakh earlier this year, Modi said: "Respect for India's sovereignty is supreme for us and the world has seen in Ladakh what our brave jawans can do to maintain this resolve. I salute all those brave soldiers from the Red Fort."

Dressed in his customary 'kurta pyjama' and safa, the prime minister, in his nearly 90-minute address, dwelt at length on his 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' campaign and called for a reduction in imports and a boost to the export of finished products in place raw material, saying the country will have to move forward with the mantra of 'Make in India' as well as 'Make for World'.

'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' is no longer merely a word but has become a mantra and captured people's imagination, he said.

Source: PTI

• The Indian army has given a strong response to any challenges to the country's sovereignty on the nation's borders.
• India is combating terrorists on a strong footing.
• We are engaging actively with our neighbouring countries.
• Working to deepen relations with neighbouring countries.

• India is at the forefront of promoting use of renewable energy.
• Rs 200 crore of Ethanol is currently being manufactured, compared with Rs 40 crore five years ago.
• India can say with pride that aforestation is taking place.

• The last year has been very important for the development of Jammu and Kashmir.
• Important social sector schemes are now being implemented in Jammu and Kashmir.
• We hope that there will be elections in Jammu and Kashmir, with their own elected representatives.
• Elections to be conducted once delimitation process for Jammu and Kashmir is complete.
• India is working with people in Jammu and Kashmir, Leh and Ladakh to develop a carbon neutral model of growth.

• As many as 7 lakh tests for Covid-19 are being conducted everyday.
• At the start, India was only able to do 300 tests daily.
• Three different vaccines at three different levels of testing in India.
• The plan to make sure a Covid-19 vaccine gets to every Indian has been drawn out

• India is now such a country where women are getting employed by the Navy and Airforce.
• Rs 30,000 crore has been transferred to women beneficiaries during Covid-19 pandemic.
• Will take measures to set an appropriate minimum age for women to get married.

• Over the past 5 years optical fibre has been reached to 2.5 lakh gram panchayats.
• People from villages are also in dire need of online services.
• We have now decided that all 6 lakh villages will get optical fibre services.
• We have decided that in 1,000 days, all India’s villages will get optical fibre.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed on the need to bring India’s economy out of the Covid-19 slump. The National Infrastructure Pipeline Project will be key to this, he said, adding that the country will spend more than Rs 100 lakh crore towards over 7,000 identified projects across the country.

The country needs an integrated infrastructure system going forward, he said.

A string of reforms and improvement in its ease of doing business has attracted a record number of foreign direct investments to the country, even amid a pandemic.

The country has a rich bank of natural resources and raw materials. However, it can’t continue to keep exporting raw materials and importing finished goods, PM Modi said.

It’s citizens need to focus on value added products and services, he said.

Atma Nirbhar Bharat doesn’t just mean reducing imports, but also retaining the country’s skill and talent within. While there are millions of challenges on this path, the country also has billions of problem solvers, he said.

‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ has become a Mantra in India today, said PM Modi during his national address today. If a family expects its son or daughter to gain self dependence at the age of 20-21, it is time we expect the same out of our country and make it self dependent, he said.

The world is both excited and expectant of India and the country needs to live up to those expectations, he further said. The country has to increase its contribution for world growth and for that, India needs to prosper itself, Modi said.

The Prime Minister went on to acknowledge the fight of India’s healthcare workers and police force against the Covid-19 virus.

“We have gone through a number of difficulties such as the flood in North East India, landslides and many others... I thank everyone who has helped in this hour of need,” Modi said.

“This is the occasion to remember the sacrifice of the brave and make some new resolutions,” he said. “Today, the 130 crore people will take a number of big pledges as the country heads towards its 75th Independence Day anniversary”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his speech by acknowledging the sacrifice of the people who attained the country’s independence from the British rule.

Thirty-five Delhi Police personnel, including four women, have been conferred the Police Medal for their services, according to a list released by the police.

Sixteen personnel were awarded the Police Medal for Gallantry, three the President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service and 16 were awarded the Police Medal for Meritorious Service on the eve of Independence Day.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Manishi Chandra, Assistant Commissioner of Police Govind Sharma, and Inspectors Vinay Kumar, Sanjay Gupta, Rajesh Kumar, Kailash Singh Bisht, Dharmender Kumar, Ravinder Joshi and Vinod Kumar Badola were among those who were awarded the Police Medal for Gallantry.

Sub-Inspectors Banay Singh, Devender Singh and Ajaibir Singh, and Assistant Sub-Inspectors Shiv Mangal Yadav, Nissar Ahmed Shaik and Parvesh Rathi were also awarded the medal.

The Police Medal for Gallantry was awarded to Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma posthumously, according to the list. Special Commissioner of Police (Intelligence) Rajesh Khurana, and ASIs Mahesh Singh Yadav and Bhupender Singh were awarded the President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the nation today from the iconic Red Fort, as India celebrates its 74th Independence Day.

According to a Defence ministry statement, the prime minister will also receive the Guard of Honour contingent, consisting of one officer and 24 men each from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Delhi Police. Major Shweta Pandey will assist the prime minister in unfurling the national flag.

His speech comes amid growing cases of Covid-19 infection and India becoming the country with fourth largest number of deaths due to the virus. The Health Ministry however, has touted its strategy to point out that about 70% of the tally has already recovered while fatality rate has been lowered to less than 2%.

At the same time, the Covid-19 lockdown starting March 25 to May 20 battered India’s already slowing economic growth. The central government has since been trying to restart economic activity and is now in the third stage of the ‘Unlock’ India campaign.