PM addresses the nation on 80th Independence Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, Aug 15 hoisted the national flag and addressed the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort as India celebrated its 80th Independence Day.

The unfurling of the Tricolour was followed by a 21-gun salute, while a ceremonial shower of flowers from a helicopter also marked the celebrations. Earlier, Modi paid floral tributes at Rajghat before proceeding to the Red Fort, where he received a Guard of Honour.

Beginning his address, PM Modi invoked the national song Vande Mataram and paid tribute to freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for India's independence. "Today, every heartbeat is echoing with Vande Mataram; today, there is 'Har Ghar Tiranga'. My best wishes to all of you on Independence Day. The nation today remembers those great sons who sacrificed for independence, carrying only one aim: freedom and dedicating their lives to it. I pay my heartfelt tribute to Pujya Bapu and every other freedom fighter," he said.

PM's Speech highlights:

Self-reliance and industry

• Reiterated the Atmanirbhar Bharat message, saying India cannot remain dependent on other nations, and cited progress at India's semiconductor plants.

• Unveiled the "Shakti Ki Sapt Dhara" (Seven Streams of Strength) framework: manufacturing, agriculture and food processing, technology and innovation, Gati-Shakti (connectivity), Raksha Shakti (defence production), the green and blue economy and soft power.

• On manufacturing, called for India to compete globally on "cost, quality and scale," saying the country needs both components and complete products to become a focal point of global supply chains, adding: "our packaging should attract people, and our precision should become our identity."

• He said India is on a "reform express" and will move to the next level of reform in the coming period, crediting political stability for the free trade agreements signed with multiple countries since 2014.

• A goal of having 50 Indian companies feature in the Fortune 500.

Technology and energy

• PM mentioned India must become an innovation hub rather than merely a market, citing the growing importance of artificial intelligence, robotics, space, quantum computing and data centres.

• Flagged energy security, critical minerals and semiconductors as priority areas, and said an area of the sea previously considered off-limits had now been opened up for exploration.

• Referenced the government's 100 GW nuclear-capacity target for 2047, and said India had crossed a milestone this year in mastering fast breeder nuclear technology, a reference to the Kalpakkam Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor attaining criticality earlier in 2026. Noted the piped gas network had expanded from 70 to 700 cities over 12 years.

• Told three major semiconductor plants had already begun production for export, with five to seven more expected over the next seven to eight years.

• Hailed India's first hydrogen-powered train- which ran fresh trials between New Delhi and Jind in June 2026, calling it the "most powerful" of its kind, and noted railway electrification had reached 70 per cent over the past decade against 30 per cent in the previous 90 years.

Youth, education and governance

• Called the youth central to the Viksit Bharat journey and said they would be its biggest beneficiaries, adding the government must make them its highest priority.

• Announced free online coaching for various competitive exams, saying private coaching classes had become a financial burden on poor and middle-class families.

• Appealed directly to young people for "one to two hours" of their time to help monitor the Census process and assist their families in filling out details.

• He said India cannot move forward in the 21st century while relying on laws framed in the previous one, calling for continued legal and regulatory reform, and said the Centre and states need to work in tandem to deliver on the country's ambitions.

Soft power and economy

• Spoke about how every global artist wants to perform in India and called for a boost to the country's "concert economy."

• Highlighted India's soft power that is yoga, Ayurveda, films and gaming as a lever to attract tourists.

• Mentioned India has the capability to build a blue economy across fisheries, coastal tourism and ocean technology.

• Pointed to recent trade agreements as an opportunity, urging MSMEs not to let the moment pass.

• Described India as a country commanding global respect with a stable political mandate, a stable government, a vibrant democracy, a strong judicial system and a guiding Constitution.

Sports and Olympics:

• Said India is a strong contender to host the 2036 Olympics, building on the success of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), launched in 2014.
• Noted India's growing presence across sports: Khelo India Games, University Games, Beach Games, Winter Games, sports training, sports medicine and sports nutrition as evidence the country is progressing at pace.
• Pointed out India currently qualifies for barely a third of the roughly 350 events across the Olympics' 40 disciplines, and set a goal of participating in at least three-quarters of them by 2036.
• Announced a nationwide talent hunt for children aged 5 to 15 to identify sporting prospects across the country, who will then receive specialised training to become world-class athletes.
• Noted separately that India is hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad