New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (August 15) urged the citizens to eliminate the use of single-use plastic and also suggested shopkeepers provide eco-friendly bags to its customers to prevent environmental degradation.

"During my 2014 speech, I spoke about cleanliness. It became a movement in the country, and the common man took it up with enthusiasm. Today, I have another request. By October 2, the birth anniversary of Dear Bapu (Mahatma Gandhi), I want to urge the citizen to give up single-use plastic," PM Modi said on the 73rd Independence Day while addressing the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort.

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"Shopkeepers should sell jute and cloth bags. Customers should adopt ways to reduce plastic usage. We must also put technologies in use to abolish plastic usage," he said in his 90-minute-long speech. 

PM Modi also stressed that citizens must buy domestic products and must attempt to make the policy of "Make In India" a success.

"Let us all resolve to use products made in India. Let us resolve local products for a lucky tomorrow. Local products for a beautiful tomorrow. Local products for a bright tomorrow," he added.

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"Our priority should be Made in India product. Can we think of consuming local products, improving the rural economy and the MSME sector?" he said.

In his address, the Prime Minister asked the citizens to think hard about ways to restrict the population growth as well as usage of water and fertilizers