After hoisting the flag at Red Fort post, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday addressed the nation to commemorate India’s 70th year of Independence.
My address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort. https://t.co/LXTrcmZjlE pic.twitter.com/AYsimDuPcB
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 15, 2016
Attired in his trademark half sleeves kurta and sporting a Rajasthani turban, Modi devoted bulk of his address on the occasion to presenting in effect a report card of his government’s work particularly in boosting economic growth, ease of doing business and welfare schemes for the poor and farmers.
The Prime Minister, who has spoken out against atrocities on Dalits in the recent days, said a strong country cannot be built without a strong society which is based on social justice.
Referring to terrorism, he asked the youth of the country to shun the path of violence and join the mainstream, saying they have not achieved anything by taking the path of terror and extremism.
Here is how people on Twitter have reacted to the speech:
Some ardent fans found it passionate and aww-inspiring ….
PM Modi’s Independence Day speech was comprehensive touching every walk of life, explaining solid achievements under his leadership
— Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) August 15, 2016
Two things Modi speaks so passionately about – governance and India.
— Vivek Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) August 15, 2016
Rajdeep seems appalled that Modi mentioned Baluchistan. Constantly making it the talking point & asking why Modi didnt speak on xyz
— Who slapped whom (@bwoyblunder) August 15, 2016
Others thought it to be PM Modi’s weakest oration so far, to the point that it put everyone to sleep.
Weakest Modi speech so far. Tired, beleaguered, rambling. His Silence spoke loud.
— Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) August 15, 2016
What a boring speech of Modi. Put every one to sleep! See this pic Carefully every one is sleeping. https://t.co/zcrT2PIbE3
— ashutosh (@ashutosh83B) August 15, 2016
Kejriwal had to sit quietly & listen to Modi’s speech.Where is Freedom? What r we celebrating? #IndependenceDayIndia pic.twitter.com/JgjVDSjdVa
— Paresh Rawal (@Babu_Bhaiyaa) August 15, 2016
Many found the 90-minute address tedious and conceited.
Another country would have passed and implemented major reforms in the time Modi is taking to deliver his speech
— IndiaExplained (@IndiaExplained) August 15, 2016
Modi began by saying he wouldn’t talk about govt achievements as it would take a week. He is talking about them. Sure feels like a week.
— Mihir Sharma (@mihirssharma) August 15, 2016
1 hour up of PM Modi’s speech. He is still listing achievements of past 2 yrs. From improving future of poorest poor to economic reforms.
— Smita Prakash (@smitaprakash) August 15, 2016
It’s really going to feel like freedom once Modi’s speech is over.
— IndiaExplained (@IndiaExplained) August 15, 2016
Some wise-cracks had the best of jokes in-store for the occasion.
“Per drop, more crop.”
“Reform, perform, transform.”I strongly suspect that Modi speech has been written by T Rajendar.— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) August 15, 2016
Barkha and Sagarika walking into your timelines after every Modi speech pic.twitter.com/haQnbnt5Qu
— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) August 15, 2016
After 27 months of Vajpayee-ish nod to one-way Insaniyat, PM Modi signals robust new policy on Pak #IndependenceDaySpeech
— Minhaz Merchant (@minhazmerchant) August 15, 2016
Some took it as a perfect opportunity to launch a comparison with ex-PM.
Pic 1: How MMS gave I-Day speech
Pic 2: How Modi gives I-Day speech pic.twitter.com/66ryKB4lub— Ankur Singh (@iAnkurSingh) August 15, 2016
80-plus minutes in, Modi’s audience looks like it is ready to vote in MMS again as long as he promises to stay inarticulate
— Mihir Sharma (@mihirssharma) August 15, 2016
(With inputs from PTI)