This year’s theme independence Day is ‘Viksit Bharat @ 2047’, which aims to boost the government’s efforts to transform India into a developed nation by 2047.
Here are the key highlights of India’s 78th Independence Day:
Prime Minister Modi Unfurling the national flag from the ramparts of the Red Fort
On Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the national flag at the Red Fort for the 11th time in a row to commemorate the 78th anniversary of India’s independence.
During the flag hoisting ceremony, two advanced light helicopters Dhruv of the Indian Air Force sprinkled flower petals. The helicopters were flown by Wing Commanders Amber Agarwal and Rahul Nainwal and carried out the mission in rear formation.
After the flag-raising ceremony, the Prime Minister received the “National Salute” accompanied by the military band of the Punjab Regiment.
The Punjab Regimental Band, consisting of 1 JCO and 25 other ranks, played the national anthem and performed the ‘National Salute’ during the flag hoisting. Subedar Major Rajinder Singh conducted the band on this important occasion.
The event was Modi’s first Independence Day speech in his third term, surpassing Manmohan Singh, who delivered ten Independence Day speeches between 2004 and 2014.
Ahead of the Red Fort event, Modi also paid respects at the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi.
PM Modi: Day to commemorate ‘Azaadi ke deewane’
Speaking at the Red Fort, Prime Minister Modi said: “Today is a day to pay tribute to the countless ‘Azaadi ke deewane’ who have sacrificed their lives for the country. The country is grateful to them.”
“We are proud that we have the blood of 400 million people who uprooted colonial rule in India. Today, we are 1.4 billion people and if we are determined and work together in one direction, we can become ‘Viksit Bharat’ overcomes all obstacles in the way to reach 2047.
PM Modi: Natural disasters heighten people’s worries
“This year and in the past few years, our worries have increased due to natural disasters. Some people have lost their families and property in natural disasters, and the country has suffered losses. Today, I express my condolences to them. “I assured them that in the The country stands with them in this time of crisis.
On July 30, a catastrophic landslide occurred in Wayanad, Kerala, killing more than 230 people. The disaster is part of wider monsoon rains and flooding affecting several states across the country.
Heavy rains and floods also wreaked havoc in states such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Assam, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Delhi. Many lives were lost and infrastructure and homes were extensively damaged.
PM Modi praises India’s ‘vibrant’ space industry
Prime Minister Modi emphasized the important role of India’s aerospace sector in strengthening the country and mentioned that India has implemented a number of reforms to free the aerospace sector from past constraints and create an environment for new startups to thrive.
“Go ahead,” the Prime Minister said.
Prime Minister Modi: Indian banks among the most powerful banks in the world
Prime Minister Modi said that Indian banks are among the few strong banks in the world due to the major reforms undertaken by the government. “Imagine the situation in our banking sector. There is no growth, no expansion, no confidence (in the banking system). Our banks are going through difficult times. We have taken major reforms to make the banking sector strong. Today, as a result of the reforms, our The bank became one of the few strong banks in the world.
He stressed the importance of a strong banking system to cater to the needs of the middle class, farmers, homebuyers, start-ups and the MSME sector.
PM Modi: Around 100 million new women join self-help groups
“We are proud to see women becoming economically self-reliant,” Prime Minister Modi said. “When women become self-reliant, they participate in the decision-making process of the family, which will ensure major social transformation.
Modi compared the achievements of women in self-help groups to the global success of Indian CEOs.
“While our CEOs are getting global recognition, there are still ten million women who are becoming Lakhpati Didis,” he said, adding that the government has decided to allocate 10 to 20 Lakhs.
“So far, Rs 9 billion has been provided to support our women’s self-help groups,” Modi said.
