New Delhi, Jul 30 (IANS): Recognising August as the month of movement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asked the people to take pledge for a "New India" and to "live for our nation and take it to new heights of progress".
"The month of August has seen historic movements in India," Modi said, recalling the Non-Cooperation Movement and Quit India Movement.
"Mahatma Gandhi gave the slogan of 'do or die' when he saw the intensity of freedom movement had reached the extreme in 1942," Modi said.
Modi made the remarks in his radio address 'Mann Ki Baat' which is broadcast every last Sunday of the month.
He said that country will celebrate 75 years of Quit India Movement on August 9 and 70 years of Independence on August 15.
"Today, we do not have to die for the nation. We have to live for our nation and take it to new heights of progress," Modi said asking the countrymen to take a pledge this year with a determination to complete it within five years.
He said that let the country celebrate August 9 this year as 'Pledge Day' and take a pledge as an individual that he or she will contribute something for the nation.
He said that five years from 1942 to 1947 was a decisive time which played a major role in India's Independence struggle.
We must also take pledge to ensure dirtiness, poverty, corruption, terrorism, caste system, communalism "quit India", he said.
He asked every social organisation, educational institute, public sector and others to help in making this movement successful.
He said that five years from 2017 to 2022 could also be decisive if people fulfil their promises.
Recalling India's struggle from freedom, Modi said: "Starting from 1857, the country saw so many movements for India's freedom."
"In 1920 and 1942 we saw two different Gandhian movements. What was common was the widespread support for Mahatma Gandhi," Modi said.
"We remember Mahatma Gandhi for his leadership during 'Quit India' and we remember leaders like Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan and Ram Manohar Lohia who took part in it."