New Delhi, August 15: The first light of morning touched the ramparts of the Red Fort as the national flag climbed skyward, its saffron, white and green unfurling in the warm August breeze. Below, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stood before a vast gathering, beginning his 12th consecutive Independence Day address with a declaration that 140 crore Indians were bound together in the colours of the tricolour – from the deserts of Rajasthan to the icy Himalayan peaks, from the fishing villages on the coast to the most crowded streets of the nation’s cities.
The Prime Minister framed the day as a celebration of shared resolve and collective accomplishment. He spoke of unity as an enduring strength, with the Constitution serving as a beacon guiding the country’s path. In a nod to political milestones, he called the abrogation of Article 370 a fitting tribute to Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, an act he said had torn down a long-standing wall of division.
A Battle Recalled: Operation Sindoor
Modi’s speech quickly moved from celebration to a stark reminder of recent violence. He revisited the April 22 Pahalgam attack, when terrorists crossed the border, demanded to know their victims’ religion, and killed men before their wives and children. The outrage that followed, he said, was channelled into “Operation Sindoor,” a military action that struck far into enemy territory and delivered blows “beyond the imagination” of Pakistan.
He credited the armed forces for their decisiveness, adding that new details of the damage were still emerging. Decades of enduring terrorism, Modi said, had convinced India that it could no longer separate those who carry out attacks from those who enable them. Both, he insisted, were enemies of humanity.
On nuclear threats, he was unequivocal: “Nuclear blackmail will no longer work on us.” He warned that if adversaries persisted, India’s forces would choose the time, method, and targets of any future response. He also reaffirmed his long-standing position that “blood and water will not flow together,” promising that Indian farmers, not hostile neighbours, would benefit from the country’s river waters.
Industry and Innovation: Reviving Old Dreams
From the battlefield, Modi’s speech shifted to the factory floor and the laboratory. He resurrected a vision first put forward more than 50 years ago – India’s own semiconductor industry – a dream, he said, that had been trapped in red tape for decades. Today, six semiconductor plants are already operational and four more have been approved. By the year’s end, he promised, Indian-made chips would be on the market.
In nuclear energy, too, his ambitions were bold: ten new reactors under construction, a target to increase capacity tenfold, and an invitation for private companies to take part in what had long been a government-controlled sector.
The Road to 2047
Modi’s gaze extended well beyond the present, toward the year 2047, when India will mark 100 years of independence. By then, he said, the nation must stand as a fully developed country, powered by a modern, self-reliant economy. That journey, he insisted, required excellence in every field, not as a partisan cause but as a collective national mission.
He urged citizens to embrace the “Vocal for Local” philosophy, prepare for the electric vehicle era, and pursue the dual goal of lowering costs while improving performance. He also called upon young scientists, engineers, and innovators to produce an indigenous jet engine for India’s fighter aircraft.
Gifts for the Young and for the Consumer
The Prime Minister’s announcements included two measures designed to have immediate impact. The Prime Minister Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojana, launched with a budget of ₹1 lakh crore, will give ₹15,000 to every youth entering their first private sector job, while rewarding companies that create more employment. The programme is expected to generate opportunities for 3.5 crore young people.
In a promise timed for the festive season, Modi said Diwali would bring a “double celebration” with the introduction of a sweeping GST reform aimed at sharply reducing tax rates for ordinary citizens.
A Speech of Resolve and Aspiration
The Independence Day address combined emotional reflection with hard policy edges. Modi’s words painted a picture of a country that was both proud of its heritage and impatient for its future – determined to defend its borders, secure its resources, master advanced technologies, and offer its young citizens the tools for success.
As the speech ended and the flag fluttered high above, the message was clear: the road to 2047 would be paved with equal measures of vigilance and vision, with the government promising to match patriotic sentiment with decisive action.
