PM Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the Red Fort on the 80th Independence Day of India, marking his 13th consecutive address.
It is to be noted that this is the second-highest after the 17 consecutive speeches of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. The celebration featured two themes: the 150 years of the national song “Vande Mataram” and “Yuva Shakti-Leading the Journey to Viksit Bharat@ 2047”.
The Indian Army (IA) served as the coordinating service for the event. The Guard of Honour comprised 25 personnel each from the IA, Indian Air Force (IAF), and Delhi Police. Captain Sonia Singh Chauhan of the IA assisted the PM in hoisting the national flag, followed by the first-ever performance of “Vande Mataram” at the Red Fort by the Army band.
PM Modi unveiled “Shakti Ki Saptadhara”, a seven-pronged strategy focusing on manufacturing, agriculture, technology, infrastructure, defence, the green and blue economy, and soft power.
He highlighted that 1 crore young Indians will be trained in AI skills over the next year and announced a target of 6 crore “Lakhpati Didis”. India also aims to reach 100 Giga-Watt (GW) of nuclear power capacity by 2047, with 5 new nuclear reactors starting within the current decade.
A total of 1,057 personnel were awarded Gallantry and Service Medals, including 301 Medals of Gallantry (GM) and 92 President’s Medals for Distinguished Service. President Droupadi Murmu approved 78 Gallantry Awards for the Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel, with 13 posthumous honours.
