New Delhi: Amid patriotic fervour and the fluttering Tricolour over the historic Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in celebrating India’s 79th Independence Day, unveiling an ambitious blueprint for a self-reliant, secure, and prosperous India.
Calling the day a “festival of hope and aspirations,” Modi hailed the resolve of 140 crore citizens and the pride in India’s shared achievements. He emphasised unity, recalling the Constitution’s role as a guiding light for 75 years, and paid tribute to Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his 125th birth anniversary — linking his government’s abrogation of Article 370 to the vision of “One Nation, One Constitution.”
Defence & Security Boost
India to launch Sudarshan Chakra Mission
In a major security announcement, Modi unveiled Mission Sudarshan Chakra — a decade-long plan to build a high-tech national security shield to protect strategic and civilian sites. “By 2035, this shield will be expanded, strengthened, and modernised,” he said, invoking the legendary weapon of Lord Krishna.
He also warned of a “demographic challenge” and announced a High-Powered Demography Mission to address emerging threats to India’s social fabric.
Economic & Youth Focus
‘I will stand like a wall…’: PM Modi’s
Launching the Prime Minister Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana with an outlay of ₹1 lakh crore, Modi promised direct incentives of ₹15,000 to first-time private sector employees, aiming to create 3.5 crore jobs.
On GST, he announced “next-generation reforms” this Diwali to ease the tax burden on citizens, boost MSMEs, and make daily-use products cheaper. He reiterated his pledge to stand “like a wall” against any policy hurting farmers, fisherfolk, or livestock rearers — a pointed remark amid ongoing tariff tensions with the US.
Tech, Energy, and Space Leap
Modi reported mission-mode progress on semiconductor manufacturing, with six units under development and four more approved, promising “Made in India” chips by year-end. He urged youth and scientists to design indigenous fighter jet engines.
In energy, he set a goal of achieving self-reliance, noting a 30-fold jump in solar output in 11 years and rapid expansion of nuclear power, with ten new reactors and a 10x capacity target by 2047.
The Prime Minister celebrated India’s rising space ambitions — from Gaganyaan and a future Indian Space Station to 300+ space startups. He also lauded Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s return from the International Space Station.
Earlier, Modi paid homage at Rajghat before arriving at the Red Fort, where Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and MoS Sanjay Seth received him. He reviewed the Guard of Honour before hoisting the National Flag, as IAF Mi-17 helicopters showered flower petals — one bearing the Tricolour and the other, the flag of Operation Sindoor.
Closing his address, Modi urged Indians to channel the spirit of the freedom struggle into building a prosperous, self-reliant India: “If independence was won through sacrifice, prosperity can be achieved through determination, hard work, and Swadeshi.”
