Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday advocated for making free education, world-class healthcare and employment fundamental rights, saying these are not freebies and are instead the duty of a responsible government.
Unfurling the 500th high-mast tricolour in the capital, Kejriwal said, "On the 75th Independence Day, we all must pledge to make India the number one country in the world. There are several such nations that attained independence after us yet surpassed our growth despite all the potential and hard work of our people.”
"We have to pledge to develop such a system where free excellent education, world-class healthcare and 100 per cent employment become fundamental rights of the citizens," he said at the event in Mayur Vihar here.
Opining that the country doesn't suffer from a lack of potential, hard work or intelligence, he said "we suffer from lack of political willingness and intent".
"Which is why we all must take the matter into our own hands to make India the strongest and the greatest nation in the world. But how will this country progress? "We all must pledge to provide the highest quality of education to every child of the country irrespective of their economic status," he said.
Stressing on providing the best possible healthcare treatment to every citizen of the country and employment to youth, the chief minister said the country can't progress until these basic necessities aren't fulfilled.
"But it pains me to see people slander this school of thought by saying that the provision of free education must be stopped. I want to assert that giving quality education or public health care for free is not a freebie. It is a duty of a responsible government," he said.
The chief minister hoisted the 166-ft high flag to the tunes of a Homeguard Band and raised 'Bharat Mata ki Jai, Inquilab Zindabad and Vande Mataram' slogans before beginning his address.
"The goal behind this project is to invoke and inculcate Desh bhakti in every citizen every day. I know everyone's chest swells with pride to see the Tiranga in its full glory. At the same time, the Tiranga also reminds us of all the sacrifices that have been made by our forefathers to give it a free sky to fly in.
"It reminds us of every drop of blood shed by our soldiers to protect the free sky it flies in. I am certain that even if someone leaves their house with ill intentions in their mind, this Tiranga will stop them. 500 such Tirangas have been installed all over Delhi," he said.
