“Viksit Bharat 2047 should also be Swasth Bharat’: PM Modi in I-Day address

New Delhi [India], August 15 (ANI): Laying stress on adequate nutrition for children as India takes strides to become a developed country by 2047, PM Modi said on Thursday that “Viksit Bharat should also be Swasth Bharat”.

Addressing the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort on the 78th Independence Day, PM Modi said the government has launched schemes to meet nutritional needs of children.

“Viksit Bharat 2047 should also be a healthy Bharat. Attention should be paid to the nutritional needs of children…today’s children will be the first generation of Viksit Bharat, We have launched a nutrition campaign, Rashtriya Poshan Abhiyan,” he said.

Noting that about 25,000 students go abroad to pursue medical education every year, PM Modi said the government, in the past decade, has increased medical seats to nearly one lakh.

“In the past decade, we have increased medical seats to nearly one lakh. Today, around 25,000 youths go abroad every year for medical education. Therefore, we have decided that in the next five years, 75,000 new seats will be created in the medical field,” PM Modi said.

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, there has been an increase of 88 per cent in medical colleges in the country, from 387 before 2014 to 731 in 2024.

Additionally, there has been an increase of 118 per cent in MBBS seats, from 51,348 before 2014 to 1,12,112 in July 2024. The ministry also added that there has been an increase of 133 per cent in PG seats, from 31,185 before 2014 to 72,627 as of now.

The Prime Minister also urged people to work towards making India a developed country by 2047.

He said that 40 crore Indians showed strength and courage to drive away the British decades back.

“Before independence, 40 crore Indians showed courage, dedication and bravery and moved with one motto, and broke the shackles of colonial rule despite all adversities. Their only goal was freedom. If 40 crore Indians could do this, then 140 crore Indians can do wonders if they take one pledge…despite all challenges we can make a Viksit Bharat by 2047,” PM Modi said.

“Now is the time to live for Viksit Bharat 2047 and we Indians are determined. We have to become Atmanirbhar 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 which will make a strong India,” he added.

This was PM Modi’s 11th address to the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort. He is the third Prime Minister after Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi to achieve this feat. The theme for this year’s Independence Day is ‘Viksit Bharat @ 2047’.