80th I-Day LIVE | Congress hits back at PM Modi over 'dimaagi Naxals' attack

PM Modi highlights 'Made in India' initiative

PM Modi says, "... Becoming an 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' is crucial. That is why, over the past few years, our conviction has been that India should no longer live in dependence on other nations; we must become self-reliant... We must enhance our own capacities and safeguard our interests ourselves. With this resolve, we are moving forward firmly towards an 'Atmanirbhar Bharat.' Every Indian is connecting with initiatives like 'Make in India,' 'Swadeshi', and 'Local for Local.'

He adds, "In today’s digital world and technological landscape, we understand the immense importance of chips. Whether it is electronic goods, medical equipment, or transportation systems, chips are indispensable; without them, the world would come to a standstill. India has moved towards self-reliance in this sector; three major semiconductor plants have already been established, and I have been informed that production from these facilities has already begun for export. In the coming 7-8 years, five to eight additional semiconductor plants are set to commence operations very soon..."

PM Modi: In last 12 years, defence production has increased nearly fourfold

PM Modi says, "In the last 12 years, defence production has increased nearly fourfold, while output from Khadi and village industries has grown almost fivefold. Electronics manufacturing has expanded nearly sevenfold. The production of modern railway coaches has risen 21-fold, and mobile phone production has surged 33-fold. Beyond that, we have made our mark in the realms of digital technology and innovation. The number of internet users has nearly quadrupled, patent grants have increased fourfold, and digital transactions have grown a hundredfold. We have worked with equal seriousness to improve amenities for the common citizen. We have provided tap-water connections at an average annual rate 15 times faster than before.

"Gas connections have been provided at six times the previous annual speed. We have constructed toilets for the poor at four times the annual pace and provided housing for the underprivileged at three times the previous rate. The country has also undergone a massive transformation in governance; thousands of compliance requirements have been eliminated, and hundreds of archaic laws have been repealed. One cannot march into the 21st century relying on laws from the last century. We expanded metro networks to build modern infrastructure and strengthened public transport. The speed and scale at which this work has been executed—this momentum, this expansion, and these achievements—represent a transformation witnessed for the first time since independence, all within the last decade..."

India rapidly progressed in the last 12 years: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India has rapidly progressed in the last 12 years, with significant progress in the digital, manufacturing, infrastructure and social welfare sectors.

Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Modi said, “This speed of progress has been witnessed by the country for the first time since independence.” The prime minister added that in the past 12 years, defence production increased by four times, electronic manufacturing by seven times, high-tech railway coach production by 21 times, and mobile phone manufacturing by 33 times.

He highlighted that the country saw numerous achievements in the digital and innovation sector as well.

“Internet consumers increased by four times. Grant of patents went up by four times. Digital transactions increased by 100 per cent,” Modi added.

PM Modi: We have set target of 200 GW nuclear energy

PM Modi says India is moving forward on harnessing alternative sources of energy.

"We have set target of 200 GW nuclear energy; setting up 5 new nuclear reactors...Piped gas reaching 1.75 crore households today...Over 50 lakh households in country now covered by solar energy," he adds

PM Modi: We are now actively pursuing exploration beneath the sea

PM Modi says, "Many times, a country does not stop because of a lack of resources... it stops because of the limitations of its thinking. When our thinking becomes confined by limitations, we fail to recognise our own potential.

"Today, India has to depend on crude oil, and this is also a result of the limitations in our thinking. You will be surprised to know that, because of such an approach, we had declared nearly 99 per cent of our offshore areas as 'no-go areas.' We had effectively decided not to undertake exploration beneath the sea. This was a poverty of thinking. We decided that this could not continue. We have now opened up the 99 per cent of areas that were once designated as no-go zones and converted them into 'go-ahead' areas. We are now actively pursuing exploration beneath the sea and making efforts to discover new reserves."

PM Modi: We must become self-reliant

PM Modi says, "We must become self-reliant and protect our interests. Today, every Indian is getting connected with initiatives of Make in India, Swadeshi, Vocal for Local."

PM Modi assures flood, landslide-hit families of government support

Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured families affected by floods and landslides in several parts of the country that the government stands with them and shares their pain.

Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort after hoisting the national flag on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day, Modi said, "My dear Indians, in the past few days, some parts of the country have witnessed floods and landslides, and many families have been affected. We fully understand their pain and suffering. I assure the affected families that the entire country stands with them." He expressed solidarity with those affected by the natural calamities.

This year, heavy monsoon rains and flash floods have affected several parts of the country, including Assam, Kerala, Uttarakhand and Nagaland. Rains have caused flooding and landslides in several areas, affecting people and disrupting normal life.

PM Modi hails citizens' efforts in last 12 years to take India to 'new heights'

"... Over the past 12 years, countless citizens—whether Dalits, the downtrodden, the marginalised, or tribals; whether rural or urban dwellers; the poor or the middle class; youth or the elderly; women or men; from the North, South, East, or West—have all strived in every possible way, with unwavering resolve and dedication, to propel the nation to new heights. I respectfully acknowledge these efforts," PM Modi said.

PM Modi on India's resolve to become developed nation by 2047

PM Modi said, "We, too, have envisioned a grand dream—a dream pursued with firm resolve and the aim of scaling new heights. It is the vision that by the time we mark 100 years of independence—by 2047—we will have transformed India into a developed nation. We must achieve this goal through the collective effort and industrious spirit of our 1.4 billion citizens. When the world's most populous nation resolves to become a developed country, it stands as a testament to our courage in the eyes of the global community; the world is compelled to change its perspective towards us..."

PM Modi: Today is a historic day at Red Fort

"It is a historic day. After independence, this is the time when 'Vande Mataram' has echoed from the ramparts of Red Fort," said PM Modi

"Today, we are all celebrating the 80th Independence Day. Today, the chant of 'Vande Mataram' resonates in every heart. Today, the Tricolour flies in every home and dwells in every mind; the nation is moving forward with enthusiasm and zeal, embracing new resolutions," he added.

Further, he said, "In the last few days, some parts of the country have witnessed floods, which have affected many people. I assure the affected families that the whole country stands by them."