The 75th Anniversary of India’s Independence begins today, Sunday, August 14, 2022
Venkat Raman
Auckland, August 14, 2022
About 18 million people accounting for the Indian Diaspora worldwide will join more than one billion people in India tomorrow (August 15) to celebrate the country’s 76th Independence Day, rejoicing over the country’s impressive progress despite challenges.
Events in New Zealand
The opening of borders and the New Zealand government’s decision to allow overseas workers and partnership visas, with the possibility of the long-pending parents’ category also being opened have added to the festive mood of the Indian community.
Almost all associations are planning to usher in the festive season with cultural and religious programmes over the next few months.
It is therefore natural that their celebrations begin with India’s Independence.
In New Zealand, the first community programme organised by the Federation of South Indian Associations New Zealand Inc will be held at the Malaeola Community Centre in Mangere from 6.30 pm in the presence of political, business and community leaders.
The High Commission in Wellington will mark India’s Independence with a flag-hoisting ceremony at its new complex in Pipitea in the Morning, followed by events in the evening.
The Indian Association of Manukau New Zealand (IAMNZ) has organised a programme of patriotic and cultural items followed by dinner at its Diversity Centre located at 25 Tui Road, Papatoetoe, tomorrow, Monday, August 15, 2022. The programme will begin at 6.30 pm.
The right to celebrate
Dr Reginald Samuel and Dr Primla Khar, Presidents, respectively of FSIANZ and IAMNZ said that no one has the right to stop any individual or organisation from celebrating their homeland’s Independence celebrations.
“IMANZ has been celebrating India’s Republic Day and Independence Day for many years and we will continue to do so. We will not allow anyone to dictate to us what we should do. Organising Republic Day and Independence Day of India is not the prerogative of any group or person,” Dr Khar said.
Dr Samuel said that he was being pressurised by a few people to restrain the Federation from conducting Independence Day celebrations.
“I have received calls and emails. We have even been told in writing that we should not celebrate India’s Independence. Have you heard this anywhere in the world?” he asked.
More of this later.
For now, we wish to concentrate on celebrating the success of India as the world’s largest and most sustained democracy, steering its destiny through sound policies and programmes.
Modi’s inspiring leadership
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his team of Ministers and officials deserve credit for having turned India into one of the fastest-growing economies in the world since taking office on May 26, 2014. While he set the pace for growth during his first five-year term, including earning the respect of world leaders for his pragmatic and friendly approach to global issues, the second term (which began on May 30, 2019) has been the implementation of several reforms covering the agriculture, education, health, science and technology and other service sectors.
Under his leadership, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has established its governments in many States, bringing greater political stability, essential to sustain progress.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that India will continue to celebrate the ‘75 Azadi Ka Mahotsav’ until August 15, 2023, with a series of economic and social reforms that will augment the government’s efforts to improve the quality of life and living for all Indians.
Zee TV reports:
As India continues to celebrate the 75 glorious years of Independence from the tyrant British rule under the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ campaign, Mr Modi is all set to deliver another Independence Day address to the nation from the ramparts of the magnificent Red Fort in New Delhi (on August 15, 2022). Just like every year, the Prime Minister will cover topics ranging from India’s industrial development to self-reliance projects. However, as per media reports, this Independence Day, the prime focus of PM Modi’s speech would be on the health and pharma sector growth in India.
This comes given the emerging global health crisis like Covid-19 and the newly reported Monkeypox infection.
It has also been reported that the Prime Minister is likely to make some big announcements regarding the prices of medicines used in the long ailments.
Medicine costs to be reduced by 70%
As per reports, changes in the National List of Essential Medicines are expected and Mr Modi in his address might announce these changes. Additionally, there can also be a government-imposed CAP on the upper cost of such medicines as well as up to 70% price cuts are expected.
This apart, he might also make significant avowals to boost medical tourism in India.
For this purpose, the Centre is likely to come up with new and attractive schemes that he might discuss in his Independence Day address.
India is one of the most popular and efficient medical tourist destinations.
As a vehement preacher of Ayurveda, Mr Modi is also expected to make some big announcements regarding dispensing Ayurveda to boost India’s economy and create policies to make the Health Sector one of the biggest contributors to India’s economy.
Fighting forces of division
Such is the passion for individual liberty that for 75 years, the country and its people have constantly battled forces of division and derision, intransigence, indifference, violence, and vituperation. They have done so with such scorn and contempt that people from other parts of the world (including those of Indian origin) are often baffled at the paradox and irony that form a part of the Indian psyche.
India has been a subject of debate and discussion since August 15, 1947, when the country gained freedom, for good and not so good reasons, for better or worse and in good faith and mistaken notion.
And in each of these debates and discussions, the ‘Indian element’ would be invariably conspicuous by its absence.
For, the Indian thought and action process is often an enigma to the outside world.
To a country of billion plus people, the day on which their leaders brought political freedom from alien rule, we say, “Congratulations! You richly deserved it.”
We have always believed that to be an Indian is unique and to be a New Zealander Indian is a privilege that is accorded to a chosen few.
Zee TV reports:
As India continues to celebrate the 75 glorious years of Independence from the tyrant British rule under the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ campaign, Mr Modi is all set to deliver another Independence Day address to the nation from the ramparts of the magnificent Red Fort in New Delhi. Just like every year, the Prime Minister will cover topics ranging from India’s industrial development to self-reliance projects. However, as per media reports, this Independence Day, the prime focus of PM Modi’s speech would be on the health and pharma sector growth in India.
This comes given the emerging global health crisis like Covid-19 and the newly reported Monkeypox infection.
It has also been reported that the Prime Minister is likely to make some big announcements regarding the prices of medicines used in the long ailments.
Medicine costs to be reduced by 70% Report
As per reports, changes in the National List of Essential Medicines are expected and Mr Modi in his address might announce these changes. Additionally, there can also be a government-imposed CAP on the upper cost of such medicines as well as up to 70% price cuts are expected.
This apart, he might also make significant avowals to boost medical tourism in India.
For this purpose, the Centre is likely to come up with new and attractive schemes that he might discuss in his Independence Day address.
India is one of the most popular and efficient medical tourist destinations.
As a vehement preacher of Ayurveda, Mr Modi is also expected to make some big announcements regarding dispensing Ayurveda to boost India’s economy and create policies to make the Health Sector one of the biggest contributors to India’s economy.
