Modi, the son of a tea vendor who won a landslide election in May, also delivered a withering assessment of the ruling establishment from the ramparts of New Delhi's 17th century Red Fort.
While insisting India had much to be proud of, Modi addressed sometimes taboo subjects such as sexual violence, religious unrest, farmer suicides and a lack of toilets which he said was intolerable in the 21st century.
The right-wing Hindu nationalist also restated his solidarity with the wider South Asian region but held back from mentioning India's great rival Pakistan which is also celebrating its independence 68 years ago.
"We have to improve our national character and we have to put selfish thinking to one side," said the 63-year-old who steered his Bharatiya Janata Party to a first parliamentary majority for three decades.
In one of the most eye-catching passages of a 45-minute speech, Modi said that the levels of rape had shamed India, and he urged parents to take responsibility for the behaviour of their sons rather than put the onus on their daughters.
"When we hear about these rapes our heads hang in shame," Modi said.
"The law will take its own course but as a society every parent has a responsibility to teach their sons the difference between right and wrong."
Anger among Indians over sexual violence has been steadily rising in the last two years, fuelled by a series of high-profile assaults including the fatal gang-rape of a student on a bus in New Delhi in December 2012.
And there was widespread outrage in May when two teenage cousins were found hanging from a mango tree after they were gang-raped in their village in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
The girls, who were aged 14 and 15, were attacked while going to the toilet in fields after dark as -- like hundreds of millions of Indians -- they did not have a toilet in their own home.
"We are in the 21st century and yet there is still no dignity for women as they have to go out in the open to defecate and they have to wait for darkness to fall. Can you imagine the number of problems they have to face because of this?" Modi told the assembled ranks of VIPs.
"People may criticise me for talking about toilets from the Red Fort. But I am from a poor family, I have seen poverty first hand. For the poor to get dignity, it has to start from here."
Modi said India should strive to ensure that every household should have a toilet within the next four years and pledged to ensure that all schools had separate toilet facilities for girls and boys.
Uttar Pradesh, which is India's largest state, has also been the scene of several recent flare-ups in communal violence between Hindus and minority Muslims.
Modi said that communal violence was "stalling the growth of the nation" and had gone on for "too long".
Before becoming prime minister, Modi was the chief minister of the western state of Gujarat where he was in charge in 2002 during one of the India's deadliest chapters of communal violence since independence.
While Modi was accused by his opponents during the election of being too business-friendly, he said his government would take action to allow even the poorest members of society to open a bank account.
Hundreds of farmers have committed suicide in the last decade in a trend that Modi attributed to their inability to pay back private loans.
"It's because they have to take money at huge interest rates from the money-lenders," he said.
"We will have a prime minister's people wealth scheme so that even the poorest of the poor can have a bank account of their own."
Modi said the government would set up a scheme to provide farmers with special guarantees in exceptional circumstances worth up to 100,000 rupees (around 1,650 dollars).
Modi, who has long stressed his "outsider" status, said that since becoming premier he had been taken aback by the departmental infighting and discord between ministries.
"Government should be an organic entity, moving in one direction with a common aim goal. I am trying to break down these walls," he said.
"We have to strengthen the systems in order to realise the dreams of the people."
COMMENTS (24)
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@Gp65: To communicate with intelligent and informed is always a pleasure. You have said "If you see Hindutva as being anti-secular, you are right to reject it. So would I." That is precisely my point. I do not want to enter in this secular business. I know that I am a religious Hindu. Hindutva as I studied and learnt is a religion where there is highest regard for individual dignity and freedom. For example if you read Upanishads with every shloka ends with "neti neti" meaning that what I have said is "na iti" not the end, not the end. Others are there to further say their views. Think, there must have been some one who wanted to make a temple at Khujraho with all erotic carvings... was he tortured or hounded? Bhagwan Jin and Bhagwan Buddha came and began a new order in disagreement with Vedic order, were they attacked physically or hounded? We in our past have openly accepted various and varied individual choices in social order like Kunti or Gandhari having children outside matrimony. Krishna's love to Radha not his wife, Or consumption of alcohol by individuals including women. Hindu civilization and hindutva have been a living society.... practical and giving space to individual with total freedom to experiment with truth in search of truth. I feel let down and insulted when I see all those elements you have mentioned, disgracing the fundamentals of hindutva and denying any space and dignity to individual's view. A hindutva being enforced that is so suffocating and strictly punctuated with dos and donts. Regarding common civil code I will say again, first let me see this goes through the moderator.. I sincerely hope it does. What I dread to see is the present
@G. Din: In your own words "They (Rajputs) were paying homage and obeisance to “POWER”, as has always happened and happens even today. After every barbarian conquest, the conquerors have to consolidate their power amongst a largely hostile population" So please tell me, if they were paying homage and "gave their daughters in marriage to invaders, to gain the favours " Were they Emperors or not? You also say "On the other hand, even though Akbar was the sovereign of India," It seems you finally got it right and said " Akbar was the sovereign of India."
@VINOD: Appreciate your polite response. I have always believed that disagreement based on either facts or logic is to be welcomed as it helps broaden one's perspective. So I appreciate your comment.
If you see Hindutva as being anti-secular, you are right to reject it. So would I. In any case many organizations like VHP, Sri Ram Sene etc, are ones that I have very little respect for and in fat some of their members are thugs who should be punished if they are observed to be bullying. That has however never been BJP's approach. There have been so many BJP governments throughout the country. In the last 12 years the only riots that have occurred have been in states governmed by UPA (Maharashtra, Assam) or UPA allies (UP) none in states governed by NDA. It is NDA that wants a common law for all not just in area of criminal law and civil law but also personal laws and inheritance law and make India truly secular and seeks to implement UCC - it is Congress which opposes it. While focusing on development in North east and Kashmir ( maximum road projects have been announced in these states), he did not forget the displaced Hidi pandits who were also minorities in J&K.
If Modi believes in living his value and respecting others values there is nothing wrong. It is unfortunate that it is not considered Amiss if a PM puts chadar in Ajmer but pejoratively panned as cultural nationalism if he does maha aarati at Ganga. Even Obama regularly oes to church. Nothing wrong as long as the law treats people of all religions and even those who do it believe in any religion equally.
@VINOD: "If as per you “Obviously Bahadur Shah was not “our emperor”!’ then kindly what all the Rajput Kings and Rajput senapatis and Hindu ministers were doing in Moghul courts. " They were paying homage and obeisance to "POWER", as has always happened and happens even today. After every barbarian conquest, the conquerors have to consolidate their power amongst a largely hostile population. Islamic conquerors first did it by forced conversions and then by bribes to aristocracy, giving them estates, and titles and such. In every population there indeed are opportunists and those Rajput Kings and Senapatis (not the ordinary Rajputs) were such opportunists. Why, they even gave their daughters in marriage to invaders, to gain the favours or to be just allowed to keep the spoils. On the other hand, even though Akbar was the sovereign of India, and had even married a Rajput princess, even he was forbidden to cross the threshold of a Hindu home. If he had wished he could have forced the issue but he was one of the sagacious ones and did not want to destroy the peace of his kingdom. The only person who tried to get the remains of "our emperor " Bahadur Shah "home' from Myanmar was Maulvi Mani Shankar Aiyyar while he was part of the UPA I. The issue was so incendiary that it was abandoned in a hurry and nobody picked on the theme. Not a whisper! That much for "our emperor"! He continues to rest where the British interned him. Histories are inspired accounts written by corrupt historians to please their masters. With more than 250 years having passed, the fog has lifted and those not deluded can see and reason about the course of events on a macro-level without the "help" of such historians. History writes itself on the genome of those who live it and that is how successive generations carry the lessons of that history in their genes. Centuries pass in seeming peace and then...all of a sudden there is an explosion. This lesson was brought home when a Hindu mob reduced a 500 year old dilapidated mosque to rubble in a matter of hours using just their fingernails. Why this mosque, even tough it was dilapidated and no other? If you are rational, you should be able to reason it out! No matter how much Nehru orphans may deny it, Hindus have never forgotten, hardly forgiven Islamic barbarism. Even a staunch Muslim-appeaser like Nehru would not agree to Muslim demands.
@gp65:
How many communal riots happened in Gujarat while Modi was the CM? One, compare that to other states like UP where BJP is not in power.
Parrots continuously repeat what the Parrot is taught to say?
How many in Muslims have benefitted and moved up the economic ladder during his tenure? Hundred’s of thousands. Was there any discrimination in giving state contracts to muslims/ None.
When repeat like parrot, the parrot is the only stupid in the room.
@Lalit: I very much agree with the important points enumerated for the failures in 1857. I hope Mr G Din will be encouraged to do further study the subject rather than believing the theory of Hindus peeling off.
@gp65: However much I respect you but unfortunately I can not be on the same page with you when it comes to interpretation of Hindutva. I, certainly have no idea about the travelogue of Mr Modi for last 17 years which obviously you have the details. In my opinion your 'observations, assimilation, inferences and lessons learnt' are grossly different when you travel as a Sangh Pracharak and then as the would be Prime Minister of this absolutely unique country. You may agree that the entire way of looking to problems and solutions even in a Company totally change when you are a deputy manager and then one day when you are going to take over as the CEO or MD. There is a sea change and you suddenly rise above all small things.
Today I stand with this man Narendra Modi with a belief that this country will transform this man who has immense promises hidden within him. And he will do some thing to redeem us. I have not been able to decipher one thing as to why he has asked only 10 years moratorium for communal harmony ? Any way enjoy reading your comments. Thanks.
No comments from any Pakistani !!! They are shocked. How can Modi be so good? This is not what we thought.....We told you guys, he is the best PM we can ever get.
@G. Din: You have said "It is because when Hindus realized that the whole struggle was to get Bahadur Shah Zafar back on the throne, while they thought it was about getting independence, that they peeled away. And, the whole effort fizzled. Obviously Bahadur Shah was not “our emperor”!"
I will be grateful if you could please quote any historian or history book that says that Hindus peeled away from this struggle for independence once they realized it was to put Emperor Bahadur Shah back on throne. Or even the source from where you discovered this information. If as per you "Obviously Bahadur Shah was not “our emperor”!' then kindly what all the Rajput Kings and Rajput senapatis and Hindu ministers were doing in Moghul courts. And may I please ask you the same "Stop such invented history and try to do something about that king-sized inferiority complex." Any way individual or community complex, either king size or mini size, does not effect the facts of History. Thanks for paying such glorious complements. By the way please read extensively to know the reasons of failure of first war of independence or revolt as you may prefer to call.
@G. Din the great mutiny of 1857 failed as the feeling of unity among Indians was not there.people of India at that time were divided among principalities and were aloof to the idea of revolution under one flag.similarly mutineers of east India company were also not a unified force.it had no such idea as nationality as we can see today.they were merely mercenaries belonging to different places and castes(caste was a big issue at that time) who were primarily unhappy with their service conditions.expecting them to fight a co-ordinated war against a well trained and disciplined army consisting of tribes like Gorkhas,Pashtoons and Sikhs who were cold to the cause of revolution and later on rewarded as martial races for the brutal suppression of their own countrymen,doesn't seem logical.dearth of experienced commanders was also a cause of failure of the mutineers.unlike French and US revolutions where civilians played an important role,here they were cut off from the proceedings to a large extent.there was no Philosophy like French revolution to take inspiration from. 19th century India was not a very welcome place for new ideas and as such can't be compare with present one.credit to unify India goes to our National movement which started in its earnestness with the advent of Indian National Congress in 1885 and was strengthened by thinkers like Dadabhai Naoroji ,author of ''poverty and un-British rule in India''.mass movements and participation of general public was possible only after MK Gandhi comes into the picture.India became one in true sense in 20th century only. in 1857 first salvo was fired.it is foolhardy to expect a divided India(no matter they were 300 mn in population) to defeat a powerful imperial machine, literally with their bare hands.nevertheless it was an incident which ignited the spark of nationalism in some educated Indians,who took it on themselves to make it a raging inferno in time to come.
Well, Modi has won the hearts of all Indians by highlighting the weaknesses rather than bragging about the strong points and announcing several schemes. Coming from a humble background he understands the plight of the poor and would take adequate steps mentioned in his speech. Modi's right approach is an indication that India would make progress in the next couple of years. A lot can be learnt by Pakistan to focus on development than creating trouble on border which is taking the country backwards and international condemnation as well.
Heil Modi.
@G. Din: Broadly speaking one of the cause of 1857 war of Independence was class of culture and both Hindu and muslim were on the same side.Mangal Pandey was the initiator of this war on whom Amir Khan made movie also,, Maratha were in fore front as Queen Laxmi Bai is a still inspirational heroin of this war,In my native Bihar Babu Kunwar Singh is still a hero who fought with the British at the age of Eighty, similarly in Gujjar & Jat in Meerut and Delhi etc fought with British.It was the people of present day Pakistan who helped British to re capture Delhi and so British Govt rewarded this area with Irrigation channels & Railway lines in subsequent years.Hindus fought with British both violent manner as Bengali revolutionary like Khudiram Bose and Chandrashekhar Azad and in constitutional way through Congress leaders who like Gandhi and Nehru spend decades in British Jail, while Jinnah did not spend a second in British jail and helped British recruitment during second world war.War is won not on numbers but through technology, technique and organization and British were superior to disjointed Indians in 1857.
@VINOD: "His travel and exposure to India as whole during his election campaign has certainly changed his attitude to be more tolerant, appreciative of diverse views, thoughts and cultures of this great country. He openly acknowledged the pit falls of communal and caste divisive politics."
He had travelled across India for 17 years before he even became an MLA. You may notice now that he is against communalism but have failed to notice that Gujarat which had historically been a communally sensitive state was kept riot free for 12 years by him. In fact law and order situation was such that there was not even a curfew in a single district for a single day in the last 10 years of his rule in Gujarat.
Modi was not so concerned about the shame that rape brings our nation. HE was more concerned about how it disempowers 'our mothers and sisters' and robs them of dignity.
Then he went on to ask a very difficult question to parents. He said , from the time your daughter becomes 10-12, you closely watch her movements - asking he where is she going, who is she going with, when will she return, asking her to call when she reaches etc. However why is it that we do not ask similar questions to the sons? After all the boys who commit rape are someone's sons. If the parents made their sons accountable instead of putting constraints on the daughter, the instances of rape would greatly reduce.
@John: How do you know that the fringe elements who made those statements, in his party which has millions of people, were not pulled up? It is not necessary to humiliate them publicly you know. The statements were disowned by BJP officially.
All I would say is that India is very fortunate to have Modi as their leader. He is going to be bring in lots of changes for the good, not only for India but also for the entire region.
Modi said something even more important about poverty. He said that SAARC countries should unite against poverty. ET please high light that portion of his speech and see how Pakistan fits into that program. He also said that savvier is bigger than killer and gave the example of Buddha's childhood. Modi also spoke of universal hood. . .
@VINOD: "Our first war of independence was to put our Emperor Bahadur Shah back on the throne of Delhi." Pure wishful thinking! If you are a rational person, then ask yourself why did that so-called "First War of Independence", much touted by rentier historians of Congress, fail? Was it possible that an aroused nation of 300 million could not defeat a motley of 100,000 or so Brits, months away from any aid from their mother country with even the soldiery against them? No! It is because when Hindus realized that the whole struggle was to get Bahadur Shah Zafar back on the throne, while they thought it was about getting independence, that they peeled away. And, the whole effort fizzled. Obviously Bahadur Shah was not "our emperor"! Stop such invented history and try to do something about that king-sized inferiority complex. It is dangerous to live with a delusion. It didn't do even such a great as Mahatma Gandhi any good.
Mr Moodi have very rightly said that each and every prime minister of India irrespective of his party and ideology has worked his utmost to bring this country forward. His travel and exposure to India as whole during his election campaign has certainly changed his attitude to be more tolerant, appreciative of diverse views, thoughts and cultures of this great country. He openly acknowledged the pit falls of communal and caste divisive politics. It fills me with pride that as a nation we do not hide or justify our short comings like rape, lack of toilets, female child killing, bureaucratic hindrances and unfair male dominance. On an Independence day the prime minister accepts the short comings in front of the entire world and takes the challenge to fix. Long live India.
Surely, like others I also appreciated his words about communal harmony, divisive politics of caste and invitation to the terrorists and Naksalite to give up guns as it will not give anything. He said from his heart that let us think as to what this politics of blood shed has given to us. Only peace and harmony can bring progress and affluence to the country. But above all these words, to day my heart is full of joy when I see a sea change in the thinking and the words of this man. I feel immensely proud of this vibrant and diverse country of ours that has a magic touch to transform people once they travel the length and breadth of this country and mix and meet the people of various regions, faiths, religions and culture. Our country is a mosaic that forces to accept our unity in diversity. Our commentators were talking with ease and affection about Akbar, Shahejahan, Aurangzeb in context of the Red Fort. Our first war of independence was to put our Emperor Bahadur Shah back on the throne of Delhi.
No need to slam rape shame if you fail to put to task the men from your party and Rss thugs, who have been found giving pro rapists statements.Good luck with your focus on the toilets,in a fastly progressing world,Country like India doesn't deserve to have this in the list of major issues she faces. Azadi Mubarak to you fellas.
Happy independence day... Mother india... !