On August 15, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi began the 79th Independence Day by honouring Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. He then raised the national flag at the Red Fort, which was his 12th speech in a row from this famous location.
79th Independence Day: Saluting Op Sindoor Heroes
He thanked the armed forces from the bottom of his heart for their bravery during Operation Sindoor, a clear and decided counter-terrorism mission that began in May in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. As a way of emphasizing how Op Sindoor had thrown Pakistan’s strategy plans off, Modi praised the “bravehearts” who “punished enemies beyond their imagination.” President Droupadi Murmu agreed with this and said that Op Sindoor was a strong sign of India’s readiness and independence. He also said that the attack on Pahalgam was “cowardly and utterly inhuman.”
Atmanirbhar Bharat: Dependence on Oneself as the Base
Prime Minister Modi said again that Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-reliant India) is the key to building a Viksit Bharat (Developed India). He said that tasks like Op Sindoor would not have been possible without being able to depend on oneself. He stressed the risks of being too dependent on other countries, especially as U.S. tariffs rise, and pushed for stronger domestic industries and technological skills.
Using the slogan “Daam kam, dum zyada” (low cost, great performance), Modi pushed for the production of “Made in India” goods that were both cheap and good. His plans included making Indian jets, starting a national mission to make semiconductors, and even building a space station in India. These were all key areas that fit with the strong “Make in India” movement.
Stern To the United States: Putting up a wall for farmers
When trade relations with the US were rising, PM Modi sent a strong and symbolic message: “I am standing as a wall in front of any policy against my farmers, fishermen, and cattle rearers.” Even though the U.S. puts tariffs of up to 50% on some Indian products, he promised that India would never hurt the interests of its farming communities. Even though he didn’t directly mention the U.S., his message was very firm, which showed that India was determined to protect its own producers.
More initiatives and a bigger picture
Modi’s historic 102-minute speech, which was the longest one ever, wasn’t just about defence and peace. New economic and social programs were started by him. These included “Mission Sudarshan Chakra,” a defence shield system; GST reforms by Diwali, which aimed to lower taxes on everyday goods; and the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojana, a ₹1-lakh-crore program that gave ₹15,000 to people looking for their first job in the private sector. Modi set India firmly on the path to a developed, self-sufficient future by 2047 in a speech that covered a lot of ground. It included issues of national security, economic stability, and growth for everyone.
