Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the National Flag at the Red Fort and addressed the nation as India celebrated its 80th Independence Day…reports Asian Lite News Desk
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hoisted the National Flag and addressed the nation from the ramparts of the iconic Red Fort as India celebrated its 80th Independence Day.
The unfurling of the Tricolour was followed by a 21-gun salute, while a ceremonial showering of flowers from a helicopter formed part of the celebrations.
Beginning his address, 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.”
Highlighting the significance of this year’s celebrations, Modi said ‘Vande Mataram’ was being heard from the Red Fort for the first time since Independence as the country marks 150 years of the national song.
“It is a historic day today. After Independence, on August 15, for the first time, Vande Mataram is echoing from the Red Fort. As we celebrate 150 years of Vande Mataram today, no other day could be more appropriate for this.”
The Prime Minister also expressed solidarity with people affected by floods in several parts of the country and offered condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.
“In the last few days, there has been devastation because of floods in some parts of our nation. Our condolences are with the victims’ families, and I want to give you the assurance and confidence that the whole nation stands with all those who are affected.”
Turning to India’s development ambitions, Modi said the country should not restrict itself to small goals and must instead pursue bigger dreams to accelerate progress.
“Any nation becomes great when it progresses on the strength of its capabilities and goals. We do not need to have small dreams; we should dream big. Big dreams increase the pace of progress. When the resolve is firm, possibilities find their own way. Our resolve should also be high, because when we take a pledge, the height of our dreams also rises.”
Modi reiterated India’s ambition to become a developed nation by 2047, when the country completes 100 years of Independence.
“India has dreamed a big dream, to touch new heights. The dream is that when we complete 100 years of Independence, we will make Viksit Bharat in 2047, with the contribution, efforts and participation of 140 crore people of our nation.”
He also said the scale of India’s ambitions would influence how the country is viewed internationally.
“It changes the way the world sees us when we dream big.”
The address marked Modi’s 13th consecutive Independence Day speech from the Red Fort, setting a record among non-Congress prime ministers for consecutive Independence Day addresses from the historic monument.
This year’s Independence Day celebrations are centred on the 150th anniversary of ‘Vande Mataram’ and the role of Yuva Shakti, or youth power, in helping India realise the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
The Prime Minister’s address combined tributes to the country’s freedom struggle with a call for greater ambition and collective participation in India’s development journey towards its centenary of Independence.
