Citizens flood Namo app with ideas for PM's I-Day speech

Having Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's picture on the currency bills of Rs 500 and Rs 2,000, making military service compulsory for two years, bringing a bill on population control and declaring attending environment day a mandatory event are among thousands of suggestions for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming Independence Day speech from the ramparts of Red Fort.

Around 14,000 suggestions have already poured in since Prime Minister Modi asked people to share what they would like to hear on August 15.

Other suggestions include steps to improve farming and agriculture in rural areas, measures for educating girl children under 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' initiative and a universal helpline number for all government services.

On July 19, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had tweeted inviting suggestions from members of the general public for inclusion in his sixth Independence Day speech.

"All families should be encouraged to teach girl children up to the level of Classes 1 and 2. The work should be voluntary. No funds should be handed out to any family for the purpose. Those who successfully undertake the task should be provided a certificate of merit from the government, suggested one user.

The suggestions are being uploaded on a specially created platform for the purpose on the Namo App.

"Let more dams and reservoirs be constructed to store excess water which can then be channelised to drought-hit areas through canals and pipelines. Avoid construction activities on low-lying land. Every inch of land at our disposal should be tilled in order to make even the poorest self-sufficient in food. Avoid import with exceptions," said another user.

There have been suggestions on encouraging the use of solar photovoltaic cells for meeting energy needs of the country and for improving tourism in certain areas of the country. Many messages talked about addressing rural distress and rising unemployment.

( With inputs from IANS )