Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Saturday as India celebrated its 80th Independence Day. His speech touched on India’s journey since Independence, the country’s ambition to become a developed nation by 2047, the strength of collective resolve and the challenges faced by citizens affected by floods and landslides.
One of the defining moments of the celebrations was the playing of ‘Vande Mataram’ at the Red Fort. PM Modi described it as a historic moment, saying that for the first time since Independence, the national song was echoing from the Red Fort on August 15. The occasion also marked 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’.
The Prime Minister also spoke about India’s aspirations for 2047, calling
for bigger dreams, stronger resolve and greater capabilities. He said India could no longer move forward with small dreams and linked the country’s future to the collective efforts of its 140 crore citizens.
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His address also highlighted growth in defence production, Khadi and Gramodyog, electronics, mobile phone production and digital transactions.
Here are some of the top quotes from PM Modi’s Independence Day speech that stood out:
- Today, we are all celebrating the 80th Independence Day. Today, the chant of ‘Vande Mataram’ resonates in every heart. Today, the Tricolour flies in every home and dwells in every mind; the nation is moving forward with enthusiasm and zeal, embracing new resolutions.
- For the first time since independence, ‘Vande Mataram’ is echoing at the Red Fort on August 15.
- A nation becomes great and achieves its goals when it moves forward on the strength of its dreams, its resolve and its capabilities.
- Our country can no longer move forward with small dreams. Big dreams, because big dreams expand our thinking and broaden the horizons of our thoughts.
- Our resolve must be strong. When our resolve is strong, the ability to find a way through difficulties and disasters emerges on its own. Our aspirations must also be high.
- Today, India has also dreamed a very big dream. It has been dreamed with a strong resolve, with the aim of reaching new heights.
- By 2047, when we complete 100 years of independence, we will make India a developed nation.
- With the efforts of 140 crore Indians, we have to achieve this goal.
- When the world’s most populous country resolves to become developed, it becomes an introduction of our courage, and the world is compelled to look at us with a different perspective.
- In the last 12 years, defence production has increased by four times; production by Khadi and Gramudyog has increased five times; electronic manufacturing has grown by seven times. Mobile phone production has increased by 33%, and digital transactions have grown by 100%.
The Prime Minister’s emphasis on India’s future also featured strongly in his address.
He said that the country must dream big and ensure that its capabilities and efforts rise alongside its aspirations.
He presented the goal of a developed India by 2047 as a collective national ambition, driven by the efforts of India’s citizens.
Another key theme was the contribution of citizens from different sections of society.
PM Modi acknowledged the efforts of people across rural and urban India, including the poor, middle class, youth, elderly, women, men, Dalits, marginalised communities and tribals, saying they had worked with resolve and dedication to take the nation to greater heights.
His remarks on the country’s recent economic and production growth also formed a significant part of the speech.
PM Modi cited increases in defence production, Khadi and Gramodyog, electronic manufacturing, mobile phone production and digital transactions over the last 12 years.
The Independence Day address therefore combined a message of national pride with an appeal for bigger ambitions and stronger resolve. From the historic resonance of ‘Vande Mataram’ at the Red Fort to the target of making India a developed nation by 2047, the speech placed India’s next phase of development at the centre of the celebrations.
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