The 75th Independence Day celebration began with fervour across the country. Marking the 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the National Flag and delivered his customary speech at the remparts of the historic Red Fort. Addressing the biggest democracy, Narendra Modi from the Red Fort has said that the centre will soon launch a Rs 100 lakh-crore Gati Shakti national infrastructure plan to promote the Indian economy.
Calling for the country’s new transformation, expanding the country’s prosperity, proving world-class modern infrastructure and way to quality facilities for all Indian citizens irrespective of the place and category they belong to. All this is to be achieved within the next 25 years, he said.
"We have to ensure we meet our goal of building Atma Nirbhar Bharat when we celebrate 100 years of India''s Independence," the prime minister said.
PM Modi was seen in his signature attire for the occasion, adding a beautiful saffron turban, white kurta and churidar with a Nehru jacket.
This year we celebrate the 75th Independence Day with the theme of 'Nation First, Always First', honouring those heroes who sacrificed their lives to make our nation free.
Highlights from prime minister’s Independence Day speech:-
- By conducting surgical strikes and airstrikes, India has shown that it is capable of taking tough decisions and has sent a loud and clear message to our enemies. We have conveyed that it's a new India now.
- More than 4.5 crore households in the country have received piped water supply within two years of launching the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Also Read: Explained: Why PM Modi announced August 14 as Partition Remembrance Day, what's its significance
- “Today, I am announcing the National Hydrogen Mission given climate change. We have to make India a hub for the production and export of Green Hydrogen.”
- Delamination Commission has been formed in Jammu and Kashmir, while preparations are underway for assembly elections in the future.
- He also promised that thousands of hospitals across the country will have their oxygen plants.
- Addressing the Olympic contingent, PM Modi said that the athletes have made the country proud at the Tokyo Olympics. People should applaud their achievements. He further said that they have owned our hearts and inspired future generations. Now, sports has become a mainstream profession and a new awareness regarding sports & fitness has come within the country.
- “Hand-holding of deprived communities is necessary and reservation being ensured for Dalits, STs, backwards, general category poor”
- Advantages of the schemes that were inaugurated in the last 7 years have reached the doorsteps of crores of people across the country. From Ujjwala to Ayushman Bharat, the poor in the country are aware of the strength of the scheme.
- Seven years ago, India used to import mobile phones worth USD 8 billion and now we are exporting such electronic devices worth USD 3 billion. "Electronic manufacturing sector is an example of the change that the scheme is bringing. Seven years ago we used to import mobile phones worth approximately USD 8 billion. Now imports have reduced. Today, we are exporting mobile phones worth USD 3 billion," he said.
- Today, we have to pledge to make India energy independent before completing 100 years of independence. India has moved towards electric mobility and work is underway on 100% electrification of Indian Railways to become net-zero carbon emitter by the year 2030 - PM Modi.
- “Political will is required to bring in big changes, big reforms. Today, the world can see that there is no dearth of political will in India. Good and smart governance is needed to bring reforms. The world is a witness to how India is writing a new chapter of governance”, said PM Modi.
- The prime minister has also called for 'Sabka Prayas' along with 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas' for building a new and prosperous India.
- Thanking the doctors for the selfless service they have done for the nation during the Coronavirus pandemic, PM Modi said that there were several challenges but India has worked at an extraordinary pace. It is the strength of our industrialists & scientists, that today we don’t have to depend on any other nation for vaccines.
- “During COVID, our doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, sanitation workers, scientists who were developing vaccines & crores of citizens who were working with a sense of service -all those who devoted every moment to serve others in this period, deserve our appreciation”
- “Our mantra is 'Chhota kisan bane desh ki Shaan. It's our dream. In years to come, we've to further increase the collective strength of small farmers of the country, we will have to provide the new facilities. 'Kisan rail' runs on more than 70 rail routes of the country today.”
- Partition’s pain will remain forgettable and on August 14, the centre took an emotional decision to mark the day as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day - PM Modi.
- Sainik schools will now be opened for girls, announced PM Modi. "It is a matter of pride for the country whether it is education or sports, board results or Olympic medal, our daughters are performing phenomenally today," he said.
Also Read: In Points: Top quotes from PM Modi's address to nation on 75th Independence Day
- "Today we see our villages changing rapidly. In the past few years, facilities like roads & electricity have reached villages. Today, the optical fibre network is providing the power of data to villages, the internet is reaching there. Digital entrepreneurs are getting ready in villages too."
- "Development should be inclusive. Whether our eastern India, North East, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh including the entire Himalayan region, be it our coastal belt or tribal region, it will become a big base for India's development in future.”