PM MODI’S 79TH INDEPENDENCE DAY ADDRESS: VISION FOR A DEVELOPED INDIA 2047

DELHI (RNI) On the 79th Independence Day, PM Modi delivered his longest and decisive speech from the Red Fort, spanning 103 minutes and laid out a bold roadmap for a Developed India 2047. Emphasising on self-reliance, innovation and citizen empowerment, the Prime Minister highlighted India’s journey from being a dependent nation to becoming a self-confident, technologically advanced and economically strong nation on the global stage.

Key highlights and announcements:1. No blackmail, no compromise: PM Modi lauded Operation Sindoor, launched after the Pahalgam attack, calling it a demonstration of India’s strategic autonomy. Using weapons manufactured in India, the operation dismantled terrorist networks and Pakistan-based infrastructure, signalling a new era where India would no longer accept nuclear blackmail or threats on foreign terms. On the issue of Indus Water Treaty, he clearly stated: “India has now decided that blood and water will not flow together. People have realised that the Indus Water Treaty was unjust. The waters of the Indus river system continued to irrigate enemy lands while our farmers continued to suffer.” This statement reaffirmed that India would no longer compromise its national interests and the campaign underlined the country’s ability to act swiftly and decisively, relying fully on indigenous technology and defence systems. 2. Aatmanirbhar Bharat, strengthening technology and industry: Prime Minister Modi said, “Dependence on others calls into question the independence of a nation. It is unfortunate when dependence becomes a habit, a dangerous habit. So we must remain conscious and committed to becoming self-reliant. Self-reliance is not just about exports, imports, rupees or dollars. It is about our capabilities, our strength to stand on our own feet.” That is why he announced that India will launch its first Made-in-India semiconductor chip by 2025. The country is opening up the nuclear sector to private companies, creating unprecedented opportunities in energy and technology. He urged every citizen, especially the youth, to participate in nation-building by indigenously innovating and producing jet engines, social media platforms, fertilizers and other critical technologies, thereby building a future where India is self-reliant, powerful and globally respected. Prime Minister Modi also highlighted the bold steps taken by India to secure critical resources for the future. Through the National Critical Minerals Mission, the country is exploring 1,200 sites to ensure access to minerals needed for energy, industry and defence. He emphasised that control over these minerals strengthens India’s strategic autonomy, making its industrial and defence sectors truly self-reliant. Complementing this, the National Deepwater Exploration Mission will harness India’s offshore energy resources, thereby boosting energy self-sufficiency and reducing dependence on foreign fuel imports. This is another step towards a fully independent and powerful India. 3.Prime Minister Modi urged the nation to achieve self-reliance in medicines and innovation and highlighted India’s strength as the “pharmacy of the world”. “Shouldn’t we be the country that provides the best and the most affordable medicines for the welfare of humanity?” he asked. He emphasised India’s growing capacity in domestic pharmaceutical innovation and the urgent need to develop new medicines, vaccines and life-saving treatments entirely in India. Drawing inspiration from India’s fight against COVID-19, where indigenous vaccines and platforms like CoWIN saved millions of lives across the world, he called upon the country to extend this spirit of innovation. He urged researchers and entrepreneurs to obtain patents for new medicines and medical technologies to ensure that India not only meets its healthcare needs but also becomes a global hub of medical self-reliance and innovation. This will demonstrate the country's ability to be a leader in science, technology and human welfare. 4. Mission Sudarshan Chakra, boost to strategic defence: To strengthen India's offensive and preventive capabilities, PM Modi launched Mission Sudarshan Chakra, drawing inspiration from India's rich cultural and mythological heritage. "India is launching Mission Sudarshan Chakra to build a powerful weapon system to thwart any attempt by enemies to attack us," he said. This initiative is designed to enhance rapid, precise and powerful defence actions, reinforcing India's strategic autonomy. "By 2035, all public places will be secured by an expanded nationwide security shield," PM Modi further said, which will demonstrate India's commitment to self-reliant defence while ensuring comprehensive security for the country. 5. Next Generation Reforms: PM Modi announced the formation of a task force for next generation economic reforms, aimed at bringing about new economic reforms in the country. To bring about sweeping changes in the laws, rules and procedures governing business activities. He highlighted that the government has already eliminated over 40,000 redundant compliances and 1,500 archaic laws and in this parliamentary session, over 280 provisions have been removed. Next generation GST reforms by Diwali will reduce taxes on daily essentials, benefiting MSMEs, local vendors and consumers, while boosting economic growth and creating a more efficient, citizen-friendly economy. 6. PM Vikasit Bharat Rojgar Yojana, Empowerment of Youth: To strengthen India’s demographic dividend and ensure that the country’s youth play a central role in its development, Prime Minister Modi launched the PM Vikasit Bharat Rojgar Yojana, a Rs 1 lakh crore employment scheme under which new job seekers will get Rs 15,000. The scheme targets 3 crore young Indians. He emphasised that this initiative will transform India’s demographic potential into real economic and social prosperity, strengthen the bridge from independent India to prosperous India and empower the youth to actively contribute to the country’s progress and development. 7. Energy and Nuclear Self-Reliance: PM Modi also highlighted India’s bold steps in securing critical resources for the future. Through the National Critical Minerals Mission, the country is exploring 1,200 sites to ensure access to minerals required for energy, industry and defence. He emphasised that control over these minerals strengthens India’s strategic autonomy and makes the industrial and defence sectors fully self-reliant. Additionally, the National Deepwater Exploration Mission will harness India’s offshore energy resources, reduce dependence on foreign fuel imports and promote energy self-reliance. This is another step towards a fully independent and powerful India.  Highlighting India’s remarkable achievements in the field of clean energy, Prime Minister Modi said that the country has already achieved its 50% clean energy target in 2025, five years ahead of schedule. He also announced a plan to increase India’s nuclear power generation capacity tenfold by 2047. 10 new nuclear reactors are under construction under this plan, which will ensure energy security and sustainable development. He further said that if India was not dependent on energy imports, the saved money could have been used for the welfare of farmers, thereby strengthening the foundation of the country’s prosperity. 8. Independence, leading innovation in space sector: Prime Minister Modi highlighted India’s growing capabilities in space science. After the success of the Gaganyaan mission, India is preparing for its own space station. Over 300 startups are now innovating in satellite technology, space exploration and cutting-edge research, which shows that India is not only participating in the global space sector but also playing a leading role with indigenous solutions. 9. Farmers, the pillar of India’s prosperity: PM Modi declared, “India will not compromise on their interests.” He asserted that he is a bulwark against any detrimental policy related to farmers and livestock farmers and is protecting their rights and livelihoods. He said agriculture remains the cornerstone of India’s growth, with India ranking first in the production of milk, pulses and jute and second in the production of rice, wheat, cotton, fruits and vegetables. Agricultural exports have crossed Rs 4 lakh crore, reflecting the country’s global competitiveness. To further empower farmers, he launched the Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana for 100 backward agricultural districts, which further reinforces the ongoing support through PM-KISAN, irrigation schemes and livestock protection programmes, ensuring that the pillar of India’s prosperity remains strong and robust. 10. High-Level Demographic Mission, Protecting National Integrity: Prime Minister Modi also mentioned the importance of protecting India’s demographic integrity. He cautioned against challenges posed by illegal infiltration and stressed the need to protect border areas and livelihoods of citizens. To address these concerns, he announced a High-Level Demographic Mission, aimed at ensuring India’s unity, integrity and security and addressing both strategic and societal challenges. Looking to the future, Prime Minister Modi outlined his vision for a developed India 2047 and emphasized that India’s progress is based on self-reliance, innovation and citizen empowerment. He reminded citizens that India’s strength lies in its people, innovation and commitment to self-reliance. He urged every Indian to contribute to nation-building, whether by buying Made in India products or participating in scientific, technological and entrepreneurial ventures, to ensure a prosperous, powerful and developed India by the centenary of the country’s independence.