PM Modi's 13th I-Day Address: AI Training, Defence, Sports, Semiconductors Announced
Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered his 13th consecutive Independence Day address from the Red Fort on Saturday, marking the 80th Independence Day of India. In his speech, he outlined key initiatives aligned with the goal of developing India by 2047, focusing on youth skill development, defence modernisation, nuclear energy, semiconductors, and sports.
Mr. Modi stressed the need for India to concentrate on seven key sectors—manufacturing, food processing, technology, innovation, and digital technologies—to achieve the vision of a developed India, often referred to as Viksit Bharat. He highlighted the importance of cost competitiveness, quality, and scale in manufacturing to strengthen the economy.
The Prime Minister announced that one crore (10 million) youth will receive artificial intelligence skill training over the next year. Emphasising that new frontiers in AI, quantum computing, space technology, robotics, and data centres are rapidly expanding, he called for India to take a leadership role in these areas. He said that India must become a global hub for innovation and that preparing young people for an AI-driven economy is essential. The skill development initiative, he added, will enable the nation's youth to lead in the AI era.
In a move to reduce the financial burden on families, Mr. Modi announced free online coaching for students preparing for competitive examinations. He noted that coaching classes place a significant strain on the poor and middle class, and that the government will use existing digital public infrastructure, educators, and technology to build a nationwide network offering free coaching for various exams. The Prime Minister assured families that they could save substantial amounts currently spent on coaching.
On defence, the Prime Minister reiterated his vision of making India a global hub for defence manufacturing, with a focus on self-reliance in advanced technologies such as hypersonic systems, drones, and counter-drone platforms. He referred to external and internal security challenges and announced plans to develop a comprehensive civil defence network with enhanced training and capabilities. Mr. Modi also mentioned that work on the indigenous air defence system, Sudarshan Chakra, was progressing rapidly, and stressed the importance of domestic defence production for strategic preparedness.
Regarding sports, Mr. Modi stated that India is a strong contender to host the 2036 Olympic Games and announced a nationwide talent identification programme for children aged 5 to 15. The initiative aims to identify young athletes in villages and cities across the country and provide them with special training to become world-class competitors. The Prime Minister noted that the Target Olympic Podium Scheme, launched in 2014, has already supported elite athletes, and he set a target for India to participate in at least three-fourths of the events at the 2036 Games.
On the semiconductor sector, Mr. Modi said that production has already started at three plants in India, with exports also under way. This marks a significant step towards the country's ambitions of becoming a semiconductor manufacturing hub.
The Prime Minister's announcements reflect a broad strategy to modernise key sectors and improve the country's global standing. The government's focus on technology, skills, defence self-reliance, and sports infrastructure will likely shape policy initiatives in the coming years.
