On the 79th Independence Day, PM Modi delivered his longest and most decisive address from the Red Fort, lasting 103 minutes, charting a bold roadmap for a Viksit Bharat by 2047. With a sharp focus on self-reliance, innovation, and citizen empowerment, the Prime Minister highlighted India’s journey from a nation dependent on others to a globally confident, technologically advanced, and economically resilient country.

Key Highlights and Announcements:

1. No Blackmail, No Compromise: PM Modi hailed Operation Sindoor, conducted after the Pahalgam attack, as a demonstration of India’s strategic autonomy. Using Made-in-India weapons, the operation dismantled terror networks and Pakistan-based infrastructure, signalling a new era where India will no longer accept nuclear blackmail or threats on foreign terms.
   • On the issue of the Indus Waters Treaty, he made it unequivocally clear: “India has now decided, blood and water will not flow together. The people have realized that the Indus Waters Treaty was unjust. Water from the Indus River system irrigated enemy lands while our farmers suffered.”
   • This statement reaffirmed that India will no longer compromise on its national interests, and the operation underscored the country’s ability to act swiftly and decisively, relying entirely on indigenous technology and defence platforms.
2. Atmanirbhar Bharat, Strengthening Technology, Industry: PM Modi said, “Dependence on others raises questions about a nation’s independence. It is unfortunate when dependence becomes a habit, a dangerous one. That’s why we must remain aware and committed to becoming self-reliant. Self-reliance is not just about exports, imports, the rupee, or the dollar. It is about our capabilities, our strength to stand on our own.”
   • That is why he announced that India will roll out its first Made-in-India semiconductor chip by 2025 and is opening the nuclear sector to private players, creating unprecedented opportunities in energy and technology.
   • He urged every citizen, especially the youth, to take part in nation-building by innovating and producing jet engines, social media platforms, fertilisers, and other critical technologies indigenously, forging a future where India stands self-reliant, powerful, and globally respected.
   • PM Modi also highlighted India’s bold steps to secure resources critical for its future. Through the National Critical Minerals Mission, the country is exploring 1,200 sites to ensure access to minerals essential for energy, industry, and defence.
   • He emphasized that controlling these minerals strengthens India’s strategic autonomy, keeping its industrial and defence sectors truly self-reliant. Complementing this, the National Deepwater Exploration Mission will harness India’s offshore energy resources, boosting energy self-reliance and reducing dependence on foreign fuel imports, marking another step toward a fully independent and powerful India.
3. PM Modi urged the nation to achieve self-reliance in medicines and innovation, highlighting India’s strength as the “pharmacy of the world”. He asked, “Shouldn’t we be the ones providing the best and most affordable medicines for the welfare of humanity?”

• He emphasized India’s growing prowess in domestic pharmaceutical innovation and the urgent need to develop new medicines, vaccines, and life-saving treatments entirely within India. Drawing inspiration from India’s COVID-19 response, where indigenous vaccines and platforms like CoWin saved millions of lives globally, he called on the nation to expand this spirit of innovation.
• Researchers and entrepreneurs were urged to secure patents for new drugs and medical technologies, ensuring that India not only meets its own healthcare needs but also becomes a global hub of medical self-reliance and innovation, demonstrating the country’s ability to lead in science, technology, and human welfare.

4. Mission Sudarshan Chakra, Enhancing Strategic Defence: To strengthen India’s offensive and deterrent capabilities, PM Modi launched Mission Sudarshan Chakra, drawing inspiration from India’s rich cultural and mythological heritage. He said, “India is launching Mission Sudarshan Chakra to create a powerful weapon system to thwart any attempt by enemies to attack us.”

• The initiative is designed to enhance rapid, precise, and powerful defence responses, reinforcing India’s strategic autonomy. PM Modi added, “All public places will be covered by an expanded nationwide security shield by 2035,” ensuring comprehensive protection for the nation while showcasing India’s commitment to self-reliant defence.

5. Next-generation Reforms: PM Modi announced the formation of a Task Force for Next-Generation Economic Reforms, aimed at overhauling laws, rules, and procedures that govern economic activity.

• He highlighted that the government has already abolished over 40,000 unnecessary compliances and 1,500 outdated laws, and in the latest parliamentary session, over 280 provisions were removed. Looking ahead, Next-Generation GST reforms by Diwali will reduce taxes on daily essentials, benefiting MSMEs, local vendors, and consumers, while simultaneously stimulating economic growth and creating a more efficient, citizen-friendly economy.

6. PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana, Empowering Youth: To strengthen India’s demographic dividend and ensure that the nation’s youth play a central role in its growth, PM Modi launched the PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana, a ₹1 lakh crore employment scheme under which newly employed youth will receive ₹15,000, targeting 3 crore young Indians.

• He emphasized that this initiative will transform India’s demographic potential into real economic and social prosperity, strengthening the bridge from Swatantra Bharat to Samriddha Bharat and empowering the youth to actively contribute to the nation’s progress and development.

7. Energy and Nuclear Self-Reliance: PM Modi also highlighted India’s bold steps to secure resources critical for its future. Through the National Critical Minerals Mission, the country is exploring 1,200 sites to ensure access to minerals essential for energy, industry, and defence.

• He emphasized that controlling these minerals strengthens India’s strategic autonomy, keeping its industrial and defence sectors truly self-reliant. Complementing this, the National Deepwater Exploration Mission will harness India’s offshore energy resources, reducing dependence on foreign fuel imports and boosting energy self-reliance, marking another step toward a fully independent and powerful India.
• Highlighting India’s remarkable achievements in clean energy, PM Modi noted that the country had already reached its 50% clean energy target in 2025, five years ahead of schedule.
• He also announced plans to increase India’s nuclear power generation capacity tenfold by 2047, with 10 new nuclear reactors underway, ensuring energy security and sustainable growth. He added that if India were not dependent on energy imports, the money saved could be used for the welfare of farmers, further strengthening the backbone of the nation’s prosperity.

8. Space Sector Independence, Pioneering Innovation: PM Modi highlighted India’s growing prowess in space science. Preparations for India’s own space station are underway, building on the success of the Gaganyaan mission. Over 300 startups are now innovating in satellite technology, space exploration, and cutting-edge research, demonstrating that India is not only participating in the global space arena but leading with indigenous solutions.
    
9. Farmers, Backbone of India’s Prosperity: PM Modi declared, “India will not compromise on their interests.” He emphasized that he has stood as a wall for the farmers and livestock keepers against any detrimental policy, protecting their rights and livelihoods.

• He said that Agriculture remains a cornerstone of India’s development, with India ranked No. 1 in milk, pulses, and jute, and No. 2 in rice, wheat, cotton, fruits, and vegetables. Agricultural exports have crossed ₹4 lakh crore, reflecting the nation’s global competitiveness.
• To further empower farmers, he launched the PM Dhanya Dhanya Krishi Yojana for 100 backward farming districts, complementing ongoing support through PM-Kisan, irrigation schemes, and livestock protection programs, ensuring that India’s backbone of prosperity remains strong and resilient.

10. High-Powered Demography Mission, Safeguarding National Integrity: PM Modi also addressed the importance of safeguarding India’s demographic integrity. He warned of challenges posed by illegal infiltration, stressing the need to protect border areas and citizens’ livelihoods. To address these concerns, he announced the High-Powered Demography Mission, aimed at ensuring India’s unity, integrity, and security, tackling both strategic and social challenges.

Looking ahead, PM Modi outlined his vision for a Viksit Bharat 2047, emphasizing that India’s progress is built on self-reliance, innovation, and citizen empowerment.

He reminded citizens that India’s strength lies in its people, innovation, and commitment to self-reliance, urging every Indian to contribute to nation-building, whether by buying India-made products or participating in scientific, technological, and entrepreneurial ventures to ensure a prosperous, powerful, and Viksit Bharat by the nation’s centenary of independence.

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MJPS