The gap between the Prime Minister's speech on Independence Day and the fact

- During the second wave of Covid, oxygen and ventilators had to be obtained from 20 countries of the world.

- The percentage of families receiving full benefits under the Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana has been only 3%

One of the annual speeches of world leaders is the eagerly awaited address by the President of the United States to his Congress on the state of the country, as American policies affect other countries in the world. Against this, it is like listening to a speech by the Prime Minister of India on the occasion of the country's Independence Day, but there is no special enthusiasm for it. Independence Day and Republic Day are celebrated in different ways in the country.

The significance of the speech delivered from the Red Fort on the occasion of Independence Day has been going on since the days of Jawaharlal Nehru. Narendra Modi has maintained this same system of Nehru. In Modi's case, his August 15 speeches are not particularly noteworthy as they are no different from his election campaign.

Now let's talk about Modi's eighth such speech. The speech was a reminder of the achievements of his government. Very few media outlets are willing to examine the reality of the claims and advertisements made in his speech. A youth team led by Professor Rajiv Gowda has done this exercise, some of the results of which I would like to share with the readers.

The fact of the fight against Corona

The Indians have fought against the Corona. Fighting the epidemic posed many challenges. We have made progress on every front. We have become self-sufficient during the epidemic. The largest vaccination campaign in the world has started in India, the Prime Minister claimed.

India ranks third in the world in corona-related deaths with 3,8,8 deaths, but the death toll released by the government has been challenged in several independent studies. According to various experts, the death rate due to corona in India is ten times higher than the government figures. This means that India has the highest number of deaths in the world due to corona.

During the second wave of Covid-17, we had to get help from 20 countries of the world with oxygen, ventilators, testing kits etc. In the case of the vaccine, India has suspended its exports and forced it to import it from Russia and the United States. Thus, it is not correct at first sight to say that we have become self-sufficient in vaccines. The government has accepted the Sputnik vaccine and is in talks with other manufacturers around the world to supply the vaccine. The vaccination program is being disrupted due to insufficient supply. As I am writing this, 2,01,09,17 persons in India have taken one dose and 15,8,8,8 persons have taken two doses. The country's target of fully vaccinating 8-100 crore adults by the end of December has been dropped.

200 million people do not understand the maths of food claims

There are approximately 20 million families in India. (Average five members in a family). If 200 million people get foodgrains at the rate of five kg per person, it should be reflected in the withdrawal of foodgrains from FCI stocks. The annual withdrawal of foodgrains (rice and wheat) from FCI in 2013-14, which was 2.50 crore tonnes, declined to 2.50 crore tonnes in 2016-17 and 2.50 crore tonnes in 2015-16. In the year of the epidemic, that is, in 2030-21, it has increased to 3.50 crore tonnes. This means that not every eligible beneficiary received free grain.

A survey conducted by a university found that five kg. G. The percentage of households receiving full benefit under the scheme (Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana) has been only 3%. India was ranked 7th out of 108 countries in the Global Hunger Index.

Toilets are a vague suit for everyone. Thousands of so-called built-in toilets do not even exist or are being used for storage. According to the National Health Survey-3, 5 per cent of the rural population in five states do not have toilets inside their homes. A 2012 survey by the National Statistical Organization found that 2.50 per cent of rural households do not have toilets and go to the open for natural defecation.

Oxygen Plants claim

Bids were invited in October 2020 for setting up PSA oxygen plants in government hospitals. On April 17, 2021, the Ministry of Health tweeted that out of the 15 oxygen plants proposed, only 4 per cent have been installed. However a media investigation revealed that only five plants were operational.

Rs 100 lakh crore investment plan

The Prime Minister may have assumed that no one would remember a similar announcement made in his speech from this place on August 15, 2016 and August 15, 2020.

We should be happy that the infrastructural investment plan is evolving, albeit invisibly.

That’s a lot, but it’s a tedious exercise.

Truth is boring, while falsehood is zealous. Checking the facts is dangerous, while spreading lies is fun. It is up to you to decide how great your country will be and how bright your day will be.