"Small dreams will no longer suffice. We must dream big, because big dreams expand our thinking, broadening the horizons of our thoughts," says Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address on India's 80th Independence Day
NEW DELHI — Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the historic Red Fort on Saturday morning to lead the nation in celebrating its 80th Independence Day. Upon arrival, the Prime Minister was received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. The Defence Secretary introduced the General Officer Commanding (GoC), Delhi Area, Lieutenant General Rajesh Sethi, to the Prime Minister. Lt. Gen. Rajesh Sethi then conducted PM Modi to the Saluting Base, where the Prime Minister inspected the ceremonial Guard of Honour comprising personnel from the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, and Delhi Police.
Following the inspection, Prime Minister Modi ascended the ramparts of the Red Fort to hoist the National Flag. As the Tricolour unfurled, a 21-gun salute was fired by the gunners of the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial) using indigenous 105mm Light Field Guns, synchronized with an aerial flower shower by two Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopters. In a landmark moment for India’s national celebrations, the National Song Vande Mataram was formally rendered during the Independence Day ceremony at the Red Fort for the very first time. Commemorating 150 years of the iconic song, the rendition was played by the Army Band alongside the National Anthem immediately following the flag hoisting.
Commencing his 13th consecutive Independence Day address to the nation, Prime Minister Modi expressed solidarity with families affected by recent natural calamities: "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."
Highlighting national sentiment, PM Modi stated, "Today, every heart is beating with the rhythm of Vande Mataram. Aaj har ghar Tiranga hai, har mann Tiranga hai." (Today, every home has the Tricolour, every heart has the Tricolour).
Emphasizing economic self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) and domestic manufacturing milestones over the past decade, the Prime Minister outlined key sectoral statistics: "In the last 12 years, defence production has increased by four times; production by Khadi and Gramudyog has increased five times; electronic manufacturing has grown by seven times. Mobile phone production has increased by 33-fold, and digital transactions have grown by 100-fold."
Expanding on India's global stature, mindset shift, and long-term roadmap, PM Modi urged the nation to aim higher to achieve the vision of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047: "Today, India has a big dream to become a developed nation by 2047. When the world's most populous country takes the resolution to become a developed nation, it becomes an introduction of our courage, and the world is compelled to look at us with a different perspective. Small dreams will no longer suffice. We must dream big, because big dreams expand our thinking, broadening the horizons of our thoughts." Reflecting the twin themes of '150 Years of Vande Mataram' and 'Yuva Shakti for Viksit Bharat@2047', the Prime Minister asserted that self-reliance, innovation, and youth energy will continue to drive India's rapid transformation on the global stage.
#IndependenceDay2026 | #PMModiAddress | #ViksitBharat2047 | #AtmanirbharBharat | #VandeMataram150 | #RedFort | #HarGharTiranga
NEW DELHI — Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the historic Red Fort on Saturday morning to lead the nation in celebrating its 80th Independence Day. Upon arrival, the Prime Minister was received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. The Defence Secretary introduced the General Officer Commanding (GoC), Delhi Area, Lieutenant General Rajesh Sethi, to the Prime Minister. Lt. Gen. Rajesh Sethi then conducted PM Modi to the Saluting Base, where the Prime Minister inspected the ceremonial Guard of Honour comprising personnel from the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, and Delhi Police.
Following the inspection, Prime Minister Modi ascended the ramparts of the Red Fort to hoist the National Flag. As the Tricolour unfurled, a 21-gun salute was fired by the gunners of the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial) using indigenous 105mm Light Field Guns, synchronized with an aerial flower shower by two Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopters. In a landmark moment for India’s national celebrations, the National Song Vande Mataram was formally rendered during the Independence Day ceremony at the Red Fort for the very first time. Commemorating 150 years of the iconic song, the rendition was played by the Army Band alongside the National Anthem immediately following the flag hoisting.
Commencing his 13th consecutive Independence Day address to the nation, Prime Minister Modi expressed solidarity with families affected by recent natural calamities: "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."
Highlighting national sentiment, PM Modi stated, "Today, every heart is beating with the rhythm of Vande Mataram. Aaj har ghar Tiranga hai, har mann Tiranga hai." (Today, every home has the Tricolour, every heart has the Tricolour).
Emphasizing economic self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) and domestic manufacturing milestones over the past decade, the Prime Minister outlined key sectoral statistics: "In the last 12 years, defence production has increased by four times; production by Khadi and Gramudyog has increased five times; electronic manufacturing has grown by seven times. Mobile phone production has increased by 33-fold, and digital transactions have grown by 100-fold."
Expanding on India's global stature, mindset shift, and long-term roadmap, PM Modi urged the nation to aim higher to achieve the vision of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047: "Today, India has a big dream to become a developed nation by 2047. When the world's most populous country takes the resolution to become a developed nation, it becomes an introduction of our courage, and the world is compelled to look at us with a different perspective. Small dreams will no longer suffice. We must dream big, because big dreams expand our thinking, broadening the horizons of our thoughts." Reflecting the twin themes of '150 Years of Vande Mataram' and 'Yuva Shakti for Viksit Bharat@2047', the Prime Minister asserted that self-reliance, innovation, and youth energy will continue to drive India's rapid transformation on the global stage.
#IndependenceDay2026 | #PMModiAddress | #ViksitBharat2047 | #AtmanirbharBharat | #VandeMataram150 | #RedFort | #HarGharTiranga
Tags
80th Independence Day
Big Dreams
defence production
digital transactions
electronic manufacturing
Khadi and Gramudyog
Narendra Modi
Red Fort address