New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation from the iconic Red Fort today on the occasion of the 77th Independence Day. PM says India has “demography, democracy and diversity” and these factors have the potential to realise the dreams of the country.
“Today, we have demography, democracy and diversity – these three together have the ability to realise the dreams of the nation,” PM Modi said.
Recalling the era of COVID-19, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India helped different countries during the time of crisis and that India has emerged as a “Vishwa Mitra” (friend of the world).
“We have to make our country so strong that will contribute to Vishwa Mangal (Global welfare). After Covid, the way India helped the world during the time of crisis, India has emerged as Vishwa Mitra. When we talk about Vishwa Mangal which is India’s basic idea that we have to expand,” PM Modi said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted “India’s approach of women-led development”, the government’s efforts to alleviate poverty, and a burgeoning middle class as he delivered his last Independence Day speech ahead of the general election in 2024. In a speech lasting just over 90 minutes, PM Modi said that the country tstands with violence-ravaged Manipur. Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort, the Prime Minister also expressed confidence India would become a developed nation by 2047.
Referring to the countrymen as ‘parivarjan’ (family members), he said “Our goal is to strengthen the economy, empower the people, and make India a developed country”.
10 special points of the event today:
1. PM Modi began his speech by expressing concern over the violence and atrocities against women in Manipur. “In the last few weeks, Manipur witnessed a wave of violence. Several people lost their lives, and our mothers and sisters were dishonoured. But, peace is slowly returning to the region. India stands with Manipur,” he said.
2. In a departure from his usual style, PM Modi today repeatedly addressed the 140 crore Indian citizens as his “parivarjan (family members)”. In his earlier speeches, the PM referred to the people of the country as “my beloved brothers and sisters”.
3. Highlighting the “track record” of his government, he recounted various efforts made to empower people and develop the nation. “Our track record attests to the fact that India fulfils what it resolves,” PM Modi said, citing successes in meeting various targets. It is ‘Modi’s guarantee’ that India will become the third-largest global economy in the next five years, he added.
4. The PM said “demography, democracy and diversity” together have the ability to realise the dreams of the nation. “This Triveni can fulfil all dreams of India,” he said.
5. Highlighting his government’s efforts in poverty alleviation, the PM said over 13.5 crore poor people came out of poverty to become part of neo-middle, middle classes, in the last five years alone. “When the country celebrates its 100th Independence Day in 2047, it would be as a developed nation,” he said.
6. Upon his arrival at the Red Fort, PM Modi was received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane, and three service chiefs. As soon as the national flag was hoisted by the Prime Minister, flower petals were showered at the venue by two Advanced Light Helicopters Mark-III Dhruv of the Indian Air Force.
7. Around 1,800 people from different professions — nurses, sarpanches of Vibrant Villages, teachers, farmers, and fishermen — were invited as special guests for the programme in line with the government’s vision of “Jan Bhagidari”.
8. The “Har Ghar Tiranga” programme — encouraging people to display the national flag in their home — continues this year too. PM Modi has encouraged people to change their social media profile image and use one featuring the national flag.
9. The government has installed a number of selfie points across Delhi to highlight its various initiatives. The spots include National War Memorial, India Gate, New Delhi Railway Station, Pragati Maidan and Raj Ghat. The Defence ministry is conducting an online selfie contest on the MyGov portal from August 15-20.
10. The celebrations at the Red Fort were held under strict security, with the deployment of 1,000 facial recognition cameras, anti-drone systems, and over 10,000 police personnel. Unlike the last few years, there will be no Covid restrictions, news agency Press Trust of India quoted senior police officer Dependra Pathak as saying.