Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address from the ramparts of the Red Fort today, highlighted the unprecedented expansion in India's social security coverage, noting that the number of people covered has increased from 25 crore before 2014 to 100 crore within a decade.

The Prime Minister said that the resolve for a developed India would be fulfilled only when development reaches the last person. Underlining the expansion of social security coverage, he said, “Before 2014, only 25 crore people had social security cover. He further added, “Only 25 crores in the last 5-7 decades; we have provided social security cover to 100 crore countrymen within a decade.”

Emphasising upon the benefits reaching families through social security and welfare measures, the Prime Minister also referred to the Ayushman Bharat scheme, under which elderly persons above 70 years of age are receiving free treatment up to ₹5 lakh.

The Prime Minister highlighted the significant progress made in creating new avenues of employment and entrepreneurship for the youth over the past decade. He noted that the Startup India initiative has enabled the growth of more than 2.5 lakh registered startups, with young entrepreneurs not only creating opportunities for themselves but also generating employment for others. He further underlined the role of the ₹1 lakh crore Innovation Fund, Skill India, Digital India, the opening up of the space and aviation sectors, and the National Drone Policy in creating new opportunities for employment, skilling and entrepreneurship. The expansion of airports, new air routes, aircraft manufacturing, maintenance and overhauling is also generating employment for skilled workers, the Prime Minister said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated that ensuring that the benefits of development reach the last person remains central to the vision of a Viksit Bharat.

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Rini Choudhury/Anjelina Alexander

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