At 80th I-Day, PM Modi sets 2047 vision: 'Dream big, world will see new India'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation on the 80th Independence Day from the ramparts of the Red Fort, urged Indians to dream big and work together to make India a developed nation by 2047. "The world will be forced to look at us differently as we work towards achieving this dream," he said, paying tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and the freedom fighters whose sacrifices he remembered on the occasion.
In his 13th consecutive Independence Day address, Mr. Modi highlighted the transformation of sectors once considered "no-go" areas into "go-ahead" areas. He announced that India is set to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and is aiming to host the 2036 Olympics, stressing the need to expand into sporting disciplines the country had never qualified for earlier.
The Prime Minister also addressed concerns of students and families burdened by coaching class fees, saying the government will provide free online coaching for various competitive examinations. He assured the youth of resources and support, pointing to the growth of India's startup ecosystem and the ₹1 lakh crore Innovation Fund to support ideas and capabilities.
The ceremony at the Red Fort began with Mr. Modi arriving and receiving a Guard of Honour. He unfurled the Tricolour, following which the National Anthem was recited. For the first time, the national song 'Vande Mataram' was rendered during the Independence Day celebrations at the venue. Two Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopters — one trooping the national flag and the other carrying a 'Vande Mataram' flag — showered flower petals over the gathering.
Nearly 5,000 special guests from different walks of life were invited to witness the celebrations, along with a large number of people from various States and Union Territories dressed in traditional attire. The guests included youth, farmers, women, and other notable citizens, reflecting the diversity of the nation.
Simultaneously, Independence Day was observed across the country with flag-hoisting ceremonies and cultural programmes. In the national capital, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hoisted the tricolour at the All India Congress Committee headquarters, Indira Bhawan, in the presence of Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and former AICC president Sonia Gandhi.
In Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay assured cooperation with the Union government on administrative matters but asserted that his government would oppose any policy that goes against the State's rights. Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan hoisted the national flag at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, reviewing the parade and receiving salutes from contingents of the police, NCC, NSS, Bharat Scouts and Guides, and Student Police Cadets.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu addressed the gathering after hoisting the flag in Amaravati, while Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan inspected the ceremonial parade at the District Police Grounds in Kakinada. In Salem, students performed a vibrant cultural programme at the Mahatma Gandhi Stadium as part of the 80th Independence Day celebrations.
The celebrations across the country, from metros to small towns, reflected the spirit of freedom and the collective resolve to build a prosperous and inclusive India. The Prime Minister's address, focusing on the 2047 vision, set the tone for a future driven by innovation, youth power, and national pride.
