New Delhi : Impressive, direct from the heart and emotionally stirring – that how Delhi denizens Friday described Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s maiden speech on India’s Independence Day.
Sahil Sharma, who works as a creative copywriter with a NGO here, said: “It was an electrifying speech delivered with so much confidence.”
“The prime minister raised some much-needed points from toilets to technology and communal violence to clean India. The point where he emphasized that he is not the prime minister, but the pradhan sevak of the country was highly impressive,” the 26-year-old told IANS.
He added that after hearing run-of-the-mill speeches by former prime ministers, Modi’s speech came as a breath of fresh air.
“I made it a point to wake up on time and hear the prime minister deliver his speech. And I must say that I made a good decision. I feel charged up now,” Sharma added.
For 56-year-old Devika Pande, Modi’s speech was all about “positivity” and reflected the “zeal to bring about a change”.
“It is a speech which will drive the nation towards progress,” the homemaker said.
“Yes,” said thrilled blogger Subhamoy Das who added that he felt great to hear a speech that was not read out, but spoken from the depth of the heart.
“Modi’s speech was replete with contrasts, tripling and rhythmic power – that make speeches memorable. What was noteworthy is his striking a chord of unity throughout his address to the nation – a chord that can truly inspire nation building,” Das, 40, told IANS.
Many agreed that the speech was high on promises to bring about change and development in the country, but they emphasized the need to work on what has been said by the prime minister.
Rohit Kumar, a research scholar at Jamia Millia Islamia University while commending Modi’s speech, said that only talking big would not help.
“Accepting truth is difficult, and accepting it in front of someone is even more difficult. Modi accepted the truth and acknowledged the problems being faced by the nation. That was brave,” Rohit Kumar told IANS.
He added: “It’s just that now he needs to walk the talk. But, he cannot do it alone. MPs, institutions and individuals, all need to contribute and share the burden.”
Modi’s announcement of burying the Planning Commission and a new institution taking its place was was also met with excitement.
“Replacing the years-old Planning Commission is an interesting move. What needs to be seen is what the new body announced by Modi will do,” Mimansa Shekhar, a 27-year-old journalist said.
Saubhik Bhan, 28, an animator, said: “The speech was emotionally stirring. The speech was riveting — it had all the elements from drama, to humour and to suggestions about making India a better and cleaner place.”