After arriving at the Red Fort on Tuesday, 15 August, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenced his address to the nation from its ramparts on the occasion of the 77th Independence Day.

This marked his tenth consecutive Independence Day speech since assuming office and his final address before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Expressing his intent, PM Modi stated that he will present a comprehensive report of his government’s ten-year journey, reiterating his assurance that India will ascend to the position of the world’s third-largest economy within the coming five years.

Here are the key highlights from his speech:

1. Honouring the freedom fighters

Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his speech by highlighting India’s position as the largest democracy globally and reminiscing about the sacrifices made by freedom fighters such as Mahatma Gandhi, Aurobindo Ghosh, and their compatriots.

2. The nation stands with Manipur: PM Modi

In his Independence Day address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi referenced the ongoing unrest in Manipur, affirming the nation’s solidarity with its people.

He further noted the recent period of stability in the situation and urged collective efforts to sustain peace and harmony.

3. On ‘Demography, Democracy, and Diversity’

PM Modi said, “We are fortunate to possess demography, democracy, diversity,” as he further emphasized that this trio would materialize the nation’s aspirations and highlighted that the youth of the country will perpetuate the legacy and resolve of the nation.

4. We are in the middle of ‘1,000 years of enslavement and 1,000 years of greatness’: PM Modi

In his Independence Day address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remarked that the present moment finds us at the crossroads of “1,000 years of subjugation and 1,000 years of greatness”.

He further emphasized that the choices we make today will echo in the next millennium.

5. On the ‘power of youth’

PM Modi expressed his confidence in the potential of India’s youth to bring about substantial and transformative shifts within the nation.

He noted that the youth have not only excelled but also propelled the country forward through the flourishing start-up ecosystem, a source of immense pride.

Recalling the G20 Summit in Bali last year, he highlighted that leaders from developed nations displayed keen interest in the potential of Digital India.

Furthermore, he underlined that the sweeping changes extended not only to urban centers like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai but also encompassed Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

6. A new world order post-covid-19 pandemic

Prime Minister Narendra Modi remarked that akin to the scenario following World War 2, a new global order is taking shape in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“India is becoming the voice of the global south, and its prosperity is becoming an opportunity for the world. We are bringing the promise of stability to the world,” he said.

“No ifs, no buts, only trust,” he added.

7. ‘Reform, perform, transform,’ the motto to usher in growth and change

PM Modi stated that in 2014, after a span of three decades, the nation chose to embrace transformation and elected a government committed to ushering in meaningful changes.

He outlined the substantial shifts that the nation has experienced in sectors such as AYUSH, fisheries, cooperatives, and more.

8. ‘In 2014, we were ranked as the 10th global economy; today stand at 5th’

In his Independence Day address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted that upon his government’s initial assumption of power in 2014, India held the 10th position in global economic rankings, whereas today it proudly stands at the 5th position.

“By constantly fighting corruption, we have ensured that economic prosperity has come for the common citizens today,” he said.

9. On employment generation and building houses

Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned that his administration was investing fourfold compared to previous governments in constructing houses.

He also noted that the MUDRA Yojana had effectively spurred job creation through small-scale entrepreneurial initiatives.

10. The promise of making India one of the ‘top three global economies’

PM Modi emphasized that as poverty diminishes in the nation, the strength of the middle class experiences a significant rise.

‘In the next 5 years, I promise India will be in the top 3 world economies,’ he added.

11. ‘India controlled inflation while the world is still grappling with the pandemic’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted that the global recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic is still underway, and pointed out that when we import goods, we also import inflation.

However, he also emphasized that India’s inflation situation fares better than that of other countries. “We have effectively managed to control inflation,” he said.

12. ‘Yeh Bharat na rukta hai, na thakta hai, na haanfta hai, na haarta hai‘: PM Modi

During his address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Yeh Bharat na rukta hai, yeh Bharat na thakta hai, yeh Bharat na haanfta hai, yeh Bharat na haarta hai (This India doesn’t stop, neither does it get tired or pant, nor will it lose)”.

13. Prioritizing ‘women-led development’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that development led by women will play a pivotal role in India’s journey towards attaining its objectives and scaling new peaks.

He pointed to the growing number of women pilots and scientists, and recounted how he championed the concept of women-led development at the G20 summit, a notion that garnered acceptance from leaders across the world.

14. ‘The village on the border is not the last, it’s the first village of the country’: PM Modi

In his Independence Day address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed that his government has transformed the perspective towards border villages via its ‘Vibrant Villages’ initiative.

“The village on the border is not India’s last village, as was said before; it is the first village of the country,” he said.

15. India is now recognized as a ‘Vishwamitra‘

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that his administration has elevated India’s stature on the international platform, and the nation is currently recognized as a ‘Vishwamitra‘ or a friend of the world.

He mentioned, “Following the Covid pandemic, we advocated the concept of ‘One World, One Health’. We have actively contributed to global well-being through practices like yoga and AYUSH. Additionally, we have addressed concerns about global warming and deliberated on strategies to counter it”.

16. On fighting against ‘corruption, dynasty politics, and appeasement’

In his Independence Day address, PM Modi asserted, “We must vigorously combat these three evils: Corruption, dynastic politics, and appeasement.”

He further stated, “As India approaches its 100th Independence Day, the flag that will soar across the world should symbolize the progress of a fully developed India.”

17. ‘Translated promise into trust through Reform, Perform, and Transform’: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that he had translated the pledges he made to the nation before assuming the role of Prime Minister into ‘trust’, guided by his mantra of ‘Reform, Perform, Transform’.

He expressed that he had functioned as a servant (“sevak”) since assuming the office, committed to propelling the nation forward.

18. Highlighting strides towards modernization

PM Modi underscored his dispensation’s dedication to advancing India across diverse domains, including space and deep-sea missions, the introduction of Vande Bharat trains, the integration of electric buses and metro systems, the provision of internet to villages, ongoing efforts in nano urea development, bolstering semiconductor manufacturing, and comprehensive engagement across various sectors.

19. Cracking down against terrorism

Prime Minister Modi stated, “The era of serial blasts has ended. Presently, the nation is witnessing a decline in terror incidents, and regions affected by Naxalism are undergoing transformation.”

20. Praising SC for respecting regional aspirations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his speech praised the Supreme Court’s initiative to ensure that its judgments are accessible in regional languages, with the operative part of the judgment being provided in the applicant’s mother tongue.

His remarks received acknowledgement from (CJI) DY Chandrachud.

21. Poem marking the first year of ‘Amrit Kaal‘

During his speech, PM Modi recited this poem as we are in the first year of our Amrit Kaal (Golden Era)-

Chalta chalata kaal chakra, amrit kaal ka bhaal chakra

Sabke sapne apne sapne, panpe sapne saare

Dheer chale, veer chale, chale yuva hamare

Niti sahi, rity nayi, gati sahi, raah nayi

Chuno chunauti seena taan, jag me badhao desh ka maan

22. ‘The world will sing praises of a developed India by 2047’

Towards the end of his Independence Day address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remarked, “In this ‘Amrit Kaal’ (Golden Era), we must dedicate ourselves to diligently materialize the aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians.

“By the year 2047, as the Tricolour is unfurled, the world should be echoing with praises of a developed India.” He stated.

23. ‘Will return next year,’ PM Modi suggests a third term for his government

Making a pitch for a third term for his government ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated his intention to once again share the nation’s achievements, milestones, and triumphs from Red Fort next year.

“In 2014, I promised that I will bring change. My 140 crore family members (Indians) trusted me and I tried to fulfill my promise. After five years, that promise turned into trust because I implemented reform, perform, transform,” the PM stated.