Independence Day Highlights: PM Modi lays out seven-point framework for 'Viksit Bharat'
In his address to the nation on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday laid out a seven-point reform framework, 'Sapta Dhara', aimed at accelerating India's journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.
The seven key aspects that are being focused upon in the framework are:
Manufacturing, agro-food production and food processing, technology and innovation, logistics, defence, green and blue economy, and soft power.
India commemorated its 80th Independence Day on August 15, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the celebrations at the Red Fort complex.
For the first time, the National Song, 'Vande Mataram', was rendered during the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort.
Ceremonial events were held at state capitals and other cities and towns across the country, which included flag-hoisting followed by cultural performances.
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Key Updates
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PM Modi makes six major announcements
Prime Minister Narendra Modi made six major announcements on the occasion of his 13th Independence Day address from the ramparts of the Red Fort in New Delhi.
The announcements are:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) skill training for one crore youth over the next one year.
- Free online coaching for aspirants preparing for competitive exams to ease the financial burden on their families.
- Modernising civil defence to deal with changing security requirements.
- Nationwide talent hunt for children in the age group of 5 to 15 to identify future Olympians.
- Five to eight more semi-conductor plants expected to be set up in the coming years.
- A target of 100 GW nuclear energy and the setting up five new reactors this decade
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Armed Naxalism gone, need to isolate dimagi Naxals: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday warned the country about the intellectual Naxals (dimagi Naxals) who have allegedly entrenched themselves in the system and continue to pose a threat to society by manipulating policies, urging the citizens to "identify and isolate" them.
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India has set target of 100 GW nuclear energy, setting up five new reactors this decade: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that India has taken a step towards becoming self-reliant in the nuclear power sector, with the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, attaining criticality this year.
Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort after unfurling the national flag on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day, Modi added that nuclear power is a significant means of ensuring energy security.
“The new world cannot run without energy. Whether they are (semiconductor) chips, AI or data centres, the country needs lots of electricity … That’s why we have already taken strong steps to ensure energy security,” he added.
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PM Modi lays out seven-point 'Sapta Dhara' framework for 'Viksit Bharat
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday laid out a seven-point reform framework, 'Sapta Dhara', aimed at accelerating India's journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.
The seven key aspects that are being focused upon in the framework are:
Manufacturing, agro-food production and food processing, technology and innovation, logistics, defence, green and blue economy, and soft power.
-PTI
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PM appeals to opposition to help implement women's quota in Parliament
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged all parties to support the implementation of women's reservation in Parliament and state assemblies without making it a political fight, and called upon the youth to assume leadership roles across society and the economy towards the dream of making India developed by 2047.
-PTI
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PM announces more semiconductor plants
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India has already begun production at three semiconductor plants, and five to eight more plants are expected to come up in the coming years.
-PTI
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PM Modi's I-Day speech shortest in four years
Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a 75-minute Independence Day speech on Saturday, the shortest in four years and his fourth shortest ever.
On India's 79th Independence Day last year, Modi had delivered a 103-minute speech, breaking his own record of a 98-minute address delivered on the 78th Independence Day in 2024.
His longest Independence Day speech before 2024 was for 96 minutes in 2016, while his shortest speech was in 2017, when he spoke for 56 minutes.
Modi delivered his 13th consecutive Independence Day speech from the Red Fort on Saturday. Last year, he had broken Indira Gandhi's record by delivering 12 consecutive speeches from the Red Fort to stand next only to Jawaharlal Nehru, who delivered 17 Independence Day addresses in a row.
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PM Modi calls for big leap in defence manufacturing
Prime Minister Narendra Modi pitched for making India a global hub for defence manufacturing, placing special emphasis on self-reliance in advanced capabilities such as hypersonic technology and drone systems. - PTI
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Modi announces free online coaching for youth
PM Modi announced free online coaching for aspirants preparing for competitive exams to ease the financial burden on their families.
"Coaching classes burden the poor and the middle class. We will provide free online coaching for various exams," Modi said in his address.
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Dream big to achieve goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047
Prime Minister Narendra Modi exhorted Indians to dream big to achieve the goal of a developed India by 2047, saying the world will be forced to look at the country differently as "we work towards achieving this dream".
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'Brought 650 new universities, doubled medical seats, since 2014'
PM Modi said the country added 650 new universities in the last decade and more than doubled the number of medical seats since 2014.
"For 35 years, there was no education policy. We brought a new education policy," he said from the ramparts of the Red Fort.
"From 2004 to 2014, there were fewer than 350 universities. And today, within 10-12 years, nearly 650 new universities have been added," the prime minister said.
"Before 2014, there were only 400 medical seats, and today nearly 850 medical seats are available," he added. - PTI
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India strong contender for 2036 Olympics: PM Modi
PM Modi said India is a strong contender to host the 2036 Olympics and to ensure that the country has a strong presence in the mega event, a nationwide talent hunt would be launched to identify prospects in the age group of 5 to 15. - PTI
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PM Modi addresses nation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is addressing the nation on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day from the ramparts of the Red Fort in New Delhi.
The prime minister began his address paying tribute to the valorous freedom fighters who paved the way for the nation's independence.
Modi recounted the various achievements of the nation during the past decade, spanning across various fields such as defence, electronics, energy security, agriculture, food production etc.
The prime minister stressed the importance of 'atmanirbhar' (self-reliance) and stressed that India will become 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047.
Modi also addressed the youth of the nation, stating that India's first priority will be them. The prime minister said that India plans to give one crore youth training in Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation during the 80th Independence Day celebrations, at Red Fort in New Delhi. Photo: narendramodi/YT via PTI -
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National Flag Hoisted
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hoisted the National Flag from the ramparts of Red Fort on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day.
National Flag unfurled at Red Fort. Photo: Youtube/Screengrab via DD India As soon as the national flag was hoisted by the prime minister, flower petals were showered at the venue by two Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force -- one trooping the national flag and the other carrying a flag depicting 'Vande Mataram'.
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Vande Mataram sung at Red Fort
For the first time, the National Song, 'Vande Mataram', was rendered during the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort. Following which, the National Anthem was also played.
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PM Modi at Red Fort; inspects Guard of Honour
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached the Red Fort, where he is set to address the nation. The prime minister was received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, his deputy Sanjay Seth and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. The prime minister also inspected the guard of honour at Red Fort ahead of his address to the nation on 80th Independence Day.
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PM Modi pays floral tribute at Rajghat
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has paid floral tributes at Rajghat, the solemn memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi.
PM Narendra Modi paying tribute at Rajghat. Photo: Youtube/Screengrab via DD India -
Delhi on high alert for Independence Day; 25,000 personnel deployed
More than 25,000 Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed across the national capital, Delhi to maintain security and law and order during the Independence Day celebrations on Saturday.
A multi-layered security grid has been put in place around the historic Red Fort, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unfurl the national flag and address the nation.
The security plan includes multiple rounds of checking and screening at entry points, along with a dedicated anti-terror response mechanism to deal with any potential threat or emergency.
-PTI
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US Secretary of State Rubio greets India on Independence Day
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has greeted the people of India on its 80th Independence Day, asserting that the bilateral ties were stronger than ever due to the personal relationship between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In a statement issued here on Friday, Rubio said the deep ties of friendship and family between the people of the two countries form the foundation of a partnership that is innovative, resilient and forward looking.
"On behalf of the United States of America, I extend warm congratulations to the people of India on their Independence Day," Rubio said.
"Thanks to the personal relationship between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi, the US-India relationship continues to grow and is stronger than ever," the US secretary of state said.
-PTI
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PM Modi greets people on Independence Day
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday greeted people on the occasion of Independence Day, stating that the country is scaling new heights of progress across different sectors, powered by 140 crore Indians.
Modi also paid tributes to the countless freedom fighters whose courage, sacrifice and unwavering commitment ensured the end of colonial rule.
Warm greetings on the occasion of Independence Day.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 15, 2026
We remember with gratitude the countless freedom fighters whose courage, sacrifice and unwavering commitment ensured the end of colonial rule. Their dreams continue to inspire us as we work together to build a Viksit Bharat.…
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