The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated 'Kartavya Path' today. It symbolises a shift from erstwhile Rajpath being an icon of power, to Kartavya Path being an example of public ownership and empowerment. The Prime Minister also unveiled the statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at India Gate on occasion.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that in the time of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav the nation felt a new inspiration and energy today. “Today, we are filling the picture of tomorrow with new colours, leaving behind the past. Today this new aura is visible everywhere, it is the aura of confidence of New India”, he said. He continued “Kingsway i.e. Rajpath, the symbol of slavery, has become a matter of history from today and has been erased forever. Today a new history has been created in the form of ‘Kartavya Path’. I congratulate all the countrymen for their freedom from yet another identity of slavery, in this Amrit Kaal of independence.”
The Prime Minister said that today a huge statue of our national hero Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose has also been installed near India Gate. “At the time of slavery, there was a statue of the representative of the British Raj. Today the country has also brought to life a modern, strong India by establishing the statue of Netaji at the same place”, he added. Recalling the greatness of Netaji, the Prime Minister said “Subhas Chandra Bose was such a great man who was beyond the challenge of position and resources. His acceptance was such that the whole world considered him a leader. He had courage and self-respect. He had ideas, he had visions. He had leadership abilities and had policies.”
He said that no country should forget its glorious past. India’s glorious history is in every Indian’s blood and tradition. Netaji, the Prime Minister reminded, was proud of India’s heritage and at the same time, he wanted to make India modern. “If after independence India had followed the path of Subhas Babu, what heights would the country be at today! But unfortunately, this great hero of ours was forgotten after independence. His ideas, even the symbols associated with them, were ignored”, the Prime Minister lamented. He recalled the visit to Netaji’s residence in Kolkata on the occasion of Netaji’s 125th birth anniversary and remembered the energy that he felt at that time. “It is our effort that Netaji’s energy should guide the country today. Netaji’s statue on the ‘Kartavya Path’ will become a medium for that'', he said. The Prime Minister said “In the last eight years, we have taken many such decisions one after the other, which are imprinted with the ideals and dreams of Netaji. Netaji Subhas was the first head of Akhand Bharat, who freed Andaman before 1947 and hoisted the Tricolor. At that time he had imagined what it would be like to hoist the Tricolor at the Red Fort. I personally experienced this feeling, when I had the privilege of hoisting the Tricolor at the Red Fort on the occasion of 75 years of the Azad Hind government.” He also talked about the museum dedicated to Netaji and the Azad Hind Fauj in the Red Fort. He also remembered the Republic Day Parade in 2019 when a contingent of Azad Hind Fauj also marched, a long-awaited honour for the veterans. Similarly, the identity and their association in the Andaman Islands were also strengthened.
Reiterating the nation's commitment to ‘Panch Pran’ the Prime Minister said “Today India’s ideals and dimensions are its own. Today India's resolve is its own and its goals are its own. Today our paths are ours, our symbols are our own.” He continued “Today when the Rajpath ceases to exist and has become a Kartavya Path. Today when the statue of Netaji has replaced the mark of the statue of George V, then this is not the first example of the abandonment of slavery mentality. This is neither the beginning nor the end. It is a continuous journey of determination till the goal of freedom of mind and spirit is achieved.” He also talked of significant changes like the change of the name of the PM Residence to Lok Kalyan Marg in place of Racecourse road, Indian musical instruments in ceremonies of Independence Day and Beating the Retreat ceremony. He also referred to the change of ensign by the Indian Navy from colonial to the ensign of Chhatrapati Shivaji. “Similarly, the National War memorial also represents the glory of the country”, he added.
The Prime Minister said that these changes are not confined to the symbols but have also infused the policies of the country too. “Today the country has changed hundreds of laws that have been going on since the British era. The time and date of the Indian Budget, which was following the times of the British Parliament for so many decades, have also been changed. Through the National Education Policy, now the youth of the country are being liberated from the compulsion of foreign language”, he pointed out. “That means, both the thinking and the behaviour of the countrymen are freed from the mentality of slavery”, he added.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the Kartavya Path is not just a road of bricks and stones but a living example of India's democratic past and all-time ideals. He reiterated that when the people of the country come here, the statue of Netaji and the National War Memorial will be a source of great inspiration and it will fill them with a sense of duty. The Prime Minister highlighted that on the contrary, the Rajpath was for the British Raj who considered the people of India as slaves. He stressed that the emotion and structure of the Rajpath were a symbol of slavery, but today with the change in architecture, its spirit is also transformed. This Kartavya Path stretching from the National War Memorial to Rashtrapati Bhawan will be vibrant with a sense of duty, he added.
The Prime Minister expressed special gratitude toward the shramiks and the labourers not just for the physical contribution to the redevelopment of Kartavya Path but also for the height of their labour which is a living and breathing example of Kartavya toward the nation. Talking about his meeting with the Shramjeevis, the Prime Minister praised the dream of the nation’s glory that they carry in their hearts. The Shramjeevis of Central Vista and their families will be Prime Minister’s special guests on the next Republic Day Parade. The Prime Minister expressed happiness that today there is a tradition of respect for Shram (labour) and Shramjeevi (workers) in the country. He emphasized that with sensitivity in policies, there is sensitivity in decisions and ‘Shramev Jayate’ is becoming a mantra for the nation. He recalled instances of interactions with workers in Kashi Vishwanath Dham, Vikrant, and Prayagraj Kumbh. Workers working on the new Parliament Building will get a place of honour in one of the galleries, he informed.
The Prime Minister said that India of today is working on cultural infrastructure along with physical, digital, and transport infrastructure. For Social infrastructure, he gave examples of new AIIMS and medical colleges, IITs, water connections, and Amrit Sarovars. Rural roads and the record number of modern expressways, railways and metro networks, and new airports are expanding transport infrastructure in an unprecedented manner. Optical fiber to panchayats and records of digital payments have made India’s digital infrastructure a topic of global appreciation. Talking about cultural infrastructure, the Prime Minister said that it does not mean just the infrastructure associated with the places of faith but also includes infrastructure related to our history, our national heroes and our national heritage. He said that the development of such sites is also taking place with equal urgency. “Be it Sardar Patel's Statue of Unity or a museum dedicated to tribal freedom fighters, PM Museum or Babasaheb Ambedkar Memorial, National War Memorial or National Police Memorial, these are examples of cultural infrastructure”, the Prime Minister added. Shri Modi further elaborated that they define our culture as a nation. It defines what our values are, and how we are protecting them. The Prime Minister stressed that an aspirational India can make rapid progress only by giving impetus to social infrastructure, transport infrastructure, digital infrastructure and cultural infrastructure as a whole. “I am happy that today, the country is getting another great example of cultural infrastructure in the form of Kartavya Path”, the Prime Minister added.
In concluding his address, the Prime Minister called upon every citizen of the country and sent out an open invitation to come and see this newly constructed Kartavya Path in all its glory. “In its development, you will see the India of the future. The energy here will give you a new vision for our vast nation, a new belief”, the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister also mentioned the drone show based on the life of Netaji Subhas that will take place for the next three days. The Prime Minister also urged the citizens to visit and take pictures which can be uploaded on social media with the hashtag #KartavyaPath. “I know this entire area is the heartbeat of the people of Delhi, and a large number of people come with their families to spend time in the evening. The planning, designing and lighting of the duty path has also been done keeping this in mind” he said. “I believe that this inspiration of Kartavya Path will create a flow of duty in the country and this flow will take us to the fulfilment of the resolve of a new and developed India,” the Prime Minister concluded.
Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister of Tourism, Shri G Kishan Reddy, Union Ministers of State of Culture of India, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal and Smt Meenakshi Lekhi and Union Minister of State of Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Kaushal Kishore were those present on the occasion.
Background
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated 'Kartavya Path' today. It symbolises a shift from erstwhile Rajpath being an icon of power, to Kartavya Path being an example of public ownership and empowerment. The Prime Minister also unveiled the statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at India Gate on occasion. These steps are in line with Prime Minister’s second ‘Panch Pran’ for New India in Amrit Kaal: ‘remove any trace of colonial mindset’.
Over the years, Rajpath and adjoining areas of the Central Vista Avenue had been witnessing pressure of increasing traffic of visitors, putting stress on its infrastructure. It lacked basic amenities like public toilets, drinking water, street furniture and adequate parking space. Further, there was inadequate signage, poor maintenance of water features and haphazard parking. Also, a need was felt to organise the Republic Day parade and other National events less disruptively with minimal restrictions on public movement. The redevelopment has been done bearing these concerns in mind while ensuring the integrity and continuity of architectural character.
Kartavya Path will exhibit beautified landscapes, lawns with walkways, added green spaces, refurbished canals, new amenity blocks, improved signages and vending kiosks. Further, new pedestrian underpasses, improved parking spaces, new exhibition panels and upgraded night lighting are some other features that will enhance the public experience. It also includes a number of sustainability features like solid waste management, stormwater management, recycling of used water, rainwater harvesting, water conservation and energy-efficient lighting systems, among others.
The statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, which was unveiled by the Prime Minister, is installed in the same place where a hologram statue of Netaji was unveiled earlier this year on Parakram Diwas, January 23 by him. The granite statue is a fitting tribute to the immense contribution of Netaji to our freedom struggle and would be a symbol of the country’s indebtedness to him. Crafted by Shri Arun Yogiraj, who was the main sculptor, the 28 feet tall statue has been carved from a monolithic granite stone and weighs 65 MT.
आजादी के अमृत महोत्सव में, देश को आज एक नई प्रेरणा मिली है, नई ऊर्जा मिली है।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 8, 2022
आज हम गुजरे हुए कल को छोड़कर, आने वाले कल की तस्वीर में नए रंग भर रहे हैं।
आज जो हर तरफ ये नई आभा दिख रही है, वो नए भारत के आत्मविश्वास की आभा है: PM @narendramodi
गुलामी का प्रतीक किंग्सवे यानि राजपथ, आज से इतिहास की बात हो गया है, हमेशा के लिए मिट गया है।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 8, 2022
आज कर्तव्य पथ के रूप में नए इतिहास का सृजन हुआ है।
मैं सभी देशवासियों को आजादी के इस अमृतकाल में, गुलामी की एक और पहचान से मुक्ति के लिए बहुत-बहुत बधाई देता हूं: PM @narendramodi
आज इंडिया गेट के समीप हमारे राष्ट्रनायक नेताजी सुभाषचंद्र बोस की विशाल मूर्ति भी स्थापित हुई है।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 8, 2022
गुलामी के समय यहाँ ब्रिटिश राजसत्ता के प्रतिनिधि की प्रतिमा लगी हुई थी।
आज देश ने उसी स्थान पर नेताजी की मूर्ति की स्थापना करके आधुनिक, सशक्त भारत की प्राण प्रतिष्ठा भी कर दी है: PM
सुभाषचंद्र बोस ऐसे महामानव थे जो पद और संसाधनों की चुनौती से परे थे।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 8, 2022
उनकी स्वीकार्यता ऐसी थी कि, पूरा विश्व उन्हें नेता मानता था।
उनमें साहस था, स्वाभिमान था।
उनके पास विचार थे, विज़न था।
उनमें नेतृत्व की क्षमता थी, नीतियाँ थीं: PM @narendramodi
अगर आजादी के बाद हमारा भारत सुभाष बाबू की राह पर चला होता तो आज देश कितनी ऊंचाइयों पर होता!
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 8, 2022
लेकिन दुर्भाग्य से, आजादी के बाद हमारे इस महानायक को भुला दिया गया।
उनके विचारों को, उनसे जुड़े प्रतीकों तक को नजरअंदाज कर दिया गया: PM @narendramodi
उस वक्त उन्होंने कल्पना की थी कि लाल किले पर तिरंगा फहराने की क्या अनुभूति होगी।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 8, 2022
इस अनुभूति का साक्षात्कार मैंने स्वयं किया, जब मुझे आजाद हिंद सरकार के 75 वर्ष होने पर लाल किले पर तिरंगा फहराने का सौभाग्य मिला: PM @narendramodi
उस वक्त उन्होंने कल्पना की थी कि लाल किले पर तिरंगा फहराने की क्या अनुभूति होगी।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 8, 2022
इस अनुभूति का साक्षात्कार मैंने स्वयं किया, जब मुझे आजाद हिंद सरकार के 75 वर्ष होने पर लाल किले पर तिरंगा फहराने का सौभाग्य मिला: PM @narendramodi
पिछले आठ वर्षों में हमने एक के बाद एक ऐसे कितने ही निर्णय लिए हैं, जिन पर नेता जी के आदर्शों और सपनों की छाप है।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 8, 2022
नेताजी सुभाष, अखंड भारत के पहले प्रधान थे जिन्होंने 1947 से भी पहले अंडमान को आजाद कराकर तिरंगा फहराया था: PM @narendramodi
आज भारत के आदर्श अपने हैं, आयाम अपने हैं।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 8, 2022
आज भारत के संकल्प अपने हैं, लक्ष्य अपने हैं।
आज हमारे पथ अपने हैं, प्रतीक अपने हैं: PM @narendramodi
ये न शुरुआत है, न अंत है।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 8, 2022
ये मन और मानस की आजादी का लक्ष्य हासिल करने तक, निरंतर चलने वाली संकल्प यात्रा है: PM @narendramodi
आज अगर राजपथ का अस्तित्व समाप्त होकर कर्तव्यपथ बना है,
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 8, 2022
आज अगर जॉर्ज पंचम की मूर्ति के निशान को हटाकर नेताजी की मूर्ति लगी है, तो ये गुलामी की मानसिकता के परित्याग का पहला उदाहरण नहीं है: PM @narendramodi
आज देश अंग्रेजों के जमाने से चले आ रहे सैकड़ों क़ानूनों को बदल चुका है।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 8, 2022
भारतीय बजट, जो इतने दशकों से ब्रिटिश संसद के समय का अनुसरण कर रहा था, उसका समय और तारीख भी बदली गई है।
राष्ट्रीय शिक्षा नीति के जरिए अब विदेशी भाषा की मजबूरी से भी देश के युवाओं को आजाद किया जा रहा है: PM
कर्तव्य पथ केवल ईंट-पत्थरों का रास्ता भर नहीं है।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 8, 2022
ये भारत के लोकतान्त्रिक अतीत और सर्वकालिक आदर्शों का जीवंत मार्ग है।
यहाँ जब देश के लोग आएंगे, तो नेताजी की प्रतिमा, नेशनल वार मेमोरियल, ये सब उन्हें कितनी बड़ी प्रेरणा देंगे, उन्हें कर्तव्यबोध से ओत-प्रोत करेंगे: PM
राजपथ ब्रिटिश राज के लिए था, जिनके लिए भारत के लोग गुलाम थे।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 8, 2022
राजपथ की भावना भी गुलामी का प्रतीक थी, उसकी संरचना भी गुलामी का प्रतीक थी।
आज इसका आर्किटैक्चर भी बदला है, और इसकी आत्मा भी बदली है: PM @narendramodi
आज के इस अवसर पर, मैं अपने उन श्रमिक साथियों का विशेष आभार व्यक्त करना चाहता हूं, जिन्होंने कर्तव्यपथ को केवल बनाया ही नहीं है, बल्कि अपने श्रम की पराकाष्ठा से देश को कर्तव्य पथ दिखाया भी है: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 8, 2022
मैं देश के हर एक नागरिक का आवाहन करता हूँ, आप सभी को आमंत्रण देता हूँ...
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 8, 2022
आइये, इस नवनिर्मित कर्तव्यपथ को आकर देखिए।
इस निर्माण में आपको भविष्य का भारत नज़र आएगा।
यहाँ की ऊर्जा आपको हमारे विराट राष्ट्र के लिए एक नया विज़न देगी, एक नया विश्वास देगी: PM @narendramodi
