NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday addressed the nation from the Red Fort for the 11th consecutive time as India celebrated 77 years of Independence, making him the third PM after Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi to do so.
The theme for this year’s Independence Day is ‘Viksit Bharat @ 2047,’ aiming to drive the Government’s efforts to transform India into a developed nation by 2047.
Here are the key highlights from India’s 78th Independence Day:
PM Modi unfurls national flag from ramparts of Red Fort
Prime Minister Narendra Modi unfurled the national flag at the Red Fort for the 11th consecutive time on Independence Day, marking the 78th anniversary of India’s freedom.
The flag hoisting was marked by a shower of flower petals from two Indian Air Force advanced light helicopters Dhruv. These helicopters, flown by wing commander Amber Agarwal and Rahul Nainwal, performed in the line astern formation.
Following the flag hoisting, the Prime Minister received a ‘Rashtriya Salute,’ accompanied by the Punjab Regiment Military band.
The Punjab Regiment band, consisting of one JCO and 25 Other Ranks, played the National Anthem during the flag hoisting and presented the ‘Rashtriya Salute.’ Subedar Major Rajinder Singh conducted the band on this significant occasion.
This event marked Modi’s first Independence Day speech of his third term, surpassing Manmohan Singh, who performed the ceremony ten times between 2004 and 2014.
Prior to the Red Fort event, Modi also paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial.
The day to pay tribute to ‘Azaadi ke deewane’: PM Modi
“Today is the day to pay tributes to the uncountable ‘Azaadi ke deewane’ who made sacrifices for the nation. This country is indebted to them,” said PM Modi in his speech at Red Fort.
“We are proud that we carry the blood of the 40 crore people who had uprooted the colonial rule from India. Today, we are 140 crore people, if we resolve and move together in one direction, then we can become ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047 by overcoming all obstacles in the way.”
Natural disasters increasing people’s concerns: PM Modi
“This year and for the past few years, due to natural calamity, our concerns have been mounting. Several people have lost their family members, property in natural calamity; nation too has suffered losses. Today, I express my sympathy to all of them and I assure them that this nation stands with them in this hour of crisis,” said PM Modi.
Catastrophic landslides in Wayanad, Kerala, on July 30 led to the tragic loss of over 230 lives. This disaster is part of a broader pattern of heavy monsoon rains and flooding that have affected several states across the country.
Heavy rains and floods have also caused significant destruction in states like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Assam, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Delhi. Many people have lost their lives, and there has been extensive damage to infrastructure and homes.
PM Modi hails India’s ‘vibrant’ space sector
PM Modi highlighted the significant role of India’s space sector in strengthening the nation and mentioned that numerous reforms have been implemented to free the space sector from past restrictions, leading to a flourishing environment for start-ups.
“Hundreds of start-ups have come up in the space sector. It is becoming vibrant. It is playing a key role in making India a strong nation. We have made many reforms in the space sector. We have liberated it from the restrictions of the past,” the PM said.
Indian banks among select strong banks globally: PM Modi
PM Modi said that Indian banks are among the few strong banks globally due to significant reforms undertaken by his government. “Just imagine what was the condition of our banking sector. There was no growth, no expansion, and there was no faith (in the banking system). Our banks were going through difficult times. We took big reforms to make the banking sector strong. Today, because of the reforms, our banks are among the few strong banks globally,” he said.
He stressed the importance of a strong banking system in meeting the needs of the middle class, farmers, homebuyers, startups, and the MSME sector.
About 10 crore new women have joined self help groups: PM Modi
“We are proud to see that women are becoming economically self-reliant,” said PM Modi. “When women become self-reliant, they participate in family decision-making processes, which will ensure significant social transformation.
Modi compared the achievements of women in self-help groups to the global success of Indian CEOs.
“While our CEOs gain global recognition, one crore women are becoming Lakhpati Didis,” he said, adding that the government has decided to allocate between Rs 10 and 20 lakh to these groups.
“So far, Rs 9 lakh crore have been provided to support our women’s self-help groups,” Modi stated.
Big steps taken to boost infrastructure in last 10 years: Modi
“There has been tremendous progress in infrastructure in the last ten years. We have also given priority to ease of living,” said PM Modi in his address to the nation.
He said four crore houses have been constructed by his government, and three crore more are on the way. “We have taken big steps to boost infrastructure in the country in the last ten years,” the prime minister said.
Modi said 140 crore citizens of India can achieve the goal of a prosperous and developed India if they walk with a united resolve. There may be challenges and shortages of resources but people united in their goal can overcome them, he added.
Road to reform is blueprint for growth, says PM Modi
“The banks were in trouble, we made several reforms and today our banks are counted among the strongest banks in the world. This increases the strength of the formal economy,” said PM Modi. “The reforms serve as a kind of blueprint for our path to growth.”
He further underscored that the commitment to reforms goes beyond gaining editorial praise or small commendations, asserting that the ultimate goal is to fortify the nation.
“We have brought big reforms on ground. For the poor, middle class, deprived… for the aspirations of our youth, we choose the path to bring reforms in their lives. I want to assure the citizens of India that our commitment towards bringing reform is neither just for editorials, praise nor under compulsion. It is to strengthen the country,” said the PM.
There is a need to transform agriculture sector: PM Modi
PM Modi said the government has launched programmes to encourage natural farming, and budget allocations too have been increased to promote such farm practices, expressing confidence that India can become the organic food basket of the world.
“It is very important to transform our agriculture system. This is the need of the hour,” he said.
Modi said his government was providing all help to farmers to adopt modern practices. Easy loans for purchase of drones he cited as one such measure.
Punishment given for crimes against women should be publicised: PM Modi
“We have worked on a women-led development model. Whether it is innovation, employment, entrepreneurship, in every sector women are marching ahead,” PM Modi said. “Look at the defence sector — air force, army navy, space sector, we are seeing the strength of women everywhere. But on the other hand, some disturbing things also come forward,” he said.
“Today from the Red Fort, I want to express my pain. As a society, we will have to think seriously about the atrocities against our mothers, sisters and daughters. There is anger among common people because of this. I can feel that rage,” he said.
The PM said the country must take such incidents seriously and the fear of reprisal must be struck among the perpetrators.
“Crimes against women should be probed swiftly, and stringent punishment should be given to those who commit demonic acts, it is important to instil confidence in the society,” he said. “Need of hour is to widely publicise punishment for atrocities against women so that there is fear of consequences. Those who commit such sins should know that they will be hanged. It is important to have that fear,” he added.
Will create 75,000 new medical seats in next 5 years: PM Modi
PM Modi said that 75,000 more medical seats will be created in the next five years as even today, children, mostly belonging to the middle class, are going abroad for medical education.
“In the last 10 years we have increased the medical seats to nearly 1 lakh,” Modi said. “Around 25,000 youths every year go abroad for medical education and they go to such countries, I get surprised when I hear about them. So we have decided, 75,000 new seats will be created in the medical line in the next five years,” PM Modi said.
India’s dream to host the 2036 Olympics: PM Modi
During his speech, PM Modi announced India’s aspiration to host the 2036 Olympics. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has initiated discussions with the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Future Host Commission (FHC) as the first step towards this goal.
“Today, we also have with us the youth who made the Indian flag fly high in the Olympics. On behalf of 140 crore countrymen, I congratulate all our athletes and players. In the next few days, a huge contingent of India will leave for Paris to participate in the Paralympics. I extend best wishes to all our Paralympians. It is the dream of India to host the 2036 Olympics, we are making preparations for that,” PM Modi said.
Earlier this month, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, confirmed this development during a written reply in the Lok Sabha. This was highlighted in a press release by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
The hosting rights for the Summer Games are determined by the IOC through a comprehensive selection process. The IOC’s Future Host Commission is responsible for managing this process.
