Kartavya Path: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated the majestic, modern, full of facilities redeveloped Rajpath now known as Kartavya Path saying Rajpath was meant for British Raj for whom Indians were slaves. Speaking at the inauguration of Central Vista, PM Modi said, "symbol of colonialism 'Kingsway' will be a history and has been erased forever. A new era has begun in the form of Kartvyapath. I congratulate all the people of the country as we come out from another symbol of colonialism." In the last 8 years, we have taken several decisions which had the imprint of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. He was the first head of 'Akhand Bharat' who unfurled the national flag in the Andaman & Nicobar islands, he said. Today a huge statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose has been installed near the India Gate. During British rule, a statue of a representative of the Britishers stood here. With the installation of a statue of Netaji, we've established a new path for an empowered India, the Prime Minister said.
- Rajpath was for the British for whom the people of India were slaves. It was a symbol of colonialism. Now, its architecture has changed, and its spirit has also changed.
- Today, the country has changed various laws that were there since the time of the British. Through the National Education Policy, now the youth of the country are being liberated from the compulsion of foreign language.
- Today a huge statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose has been installed near the India Gate. During British rule, a statue of a representative of the Britishers stood here. With installation of statue of Netaji, we've established a new path for an empowered India.
- Those (Shramjeevi) who have worked here for redeveloped Central Vista will be my special guest on 26th January.
- People will see the India of the future in them and its energy will instill them with a new vision for a great India," he said.
- PM Modi said that changes undertaken by his government are not just limited to symbols but are now part of policies.
- This is neither the beginning nor the end, Modi said of efforts towards removal of symbols of "slavery", adding that it is a relentless march of resolve with the goal of the freedom of one's mind.
- Both thinking and behaviour of the countrymen are getting freed from the mentality of slavery.
- Noting that Rajpath was also known as Kingsway earlier, he said it was appropriate for the British Raj when India was under its rule. Its spirit as well as architecture symbolised India's slavery and now both have been changed.
- Kartavya Path will now remind all that we need to keep the nation first. When people of the country come here, the statue of Netaji, the National War Memorial will inspire them so much and fill them with their sense of duties.
- This is an example of developing our cultural infrastructure, Modi said and cited the Statue of Unity dedicated to Sardar Patel and the National War Memorial as other such examples.
- India has now set its own ideals, pledges and goals. Today, our paths and symbols are our own," the prime minister said. In this 'Amrit Mahotsav', the country has now got new inspiration and new energy, he said.
- Lauding Bose, Modi said he was the first head of "Akhand Bharat" who freed Andaman before 1947 and hoisted the tricolour. At that time he had imagined what it would be like to hoist the tricolour at the Red Fort, the prime minister noted.
- Kartavya Path is not just a road of bricks and stones but a living example of India's democratic past and all-time ideals, and will remind those, including politicians and bureaucrats, walking on the road of their duties, Modi said. India today is working on cultural infrastructure along with physical, digital, and transport infrastructure, he said.
The revamped stretch from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate is estimated to have cost around Rs 477 crore.
The inauguration of Kartavya Path and installation of Bose's 28-ft-tall statue at the canopy where a statue of King George V stood till 1968 are not the first example of the country getting rid of its colonial mindset, he said, adding that his government has taken steps like renaming Race Course Road as Lok Kalyan Marg, where the prime minister's residence is located, and repealing outdated laws.
The date and timing of Union budget presentation have been changed and a new education policy brought in, he said, adding this spirit is guiding his government's policies.
The revamped stretch is part of the Modi government's ambitious Central Vista redevelopment project.
Modi also thanked workers involved in the development of Kartavya Path and said that they not only built it but also showed the others way of 'kartavya' (duty). They will be his guests for the Republic Day parade on January 26, he said.
Workers involved in constructing the new parliament building will have a special gallery dedicated to them, Modi said.
"As India celebrates 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav', it is our resolve to have a feeling of pride in our traditional heritage and put the country on the path to unstoppable development," he said. He called upon people to visit the revamped avenue in the heart of the national capital.
The prime minister cited new AIIMS and medical colleges, IITs and water connections as examples of social infrastructure.
Rural roads and a record number of modern expressways, railways and metro networks, and new airports are expanding transport infrastructure in an unprecedented manner, while optical fiber connectivity for panchayats and records of digital payments have made India's digital infrastructure a topic of global appreciation, he said.
(With inputs from PTI, IANS)
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