PM Narendra Modi's Independence Day speech: Key themes, big annoucements, and full summary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the occasion of the 78th Independence Day of India on August 15, 2024, presented his address to the nation from the ramparts fo the red Fort. Here’s a summary of  everything that PM Modi said in his speech.

We take a look at all the major announcements and key takeaways from each theme that PM Modi spoke about.

Important announcements from PM Modi

• 75,000 new seats for medical education

• Improvements in education to ensure Indian youth don’t need to go abroad to study

• 500 GW Non-Renewable Energy Target by 2030

• Net-Zero Emission Railway by 2030

• India preparing to host 2036 Olympics

• Aim to bring forward 1 lakh youth in the political system whose family have no prior political background

On developed India and India as the third largest economy

• ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ is seeing a lot of effort. We will achieve this aim

• For Viksit Bharat 2047, we invited suggestions from the countrymen. The many suggestions we received reflect the dreams and aspirations of our citizens

• India should become the world’s third largest economy without any delay

• A lot of economic policies have been developed and worked upon to take the nation forward

• The way in which the world looks at India has now seen a transformation
  Indian origin CEOs are making a name across the globe

• Reforms in governance and justice system, creation of greenfield cities, capacity building, India’s own space station - these are the aspirations of the citizen

• When the people of the nation have such big dreams, it takes our self-confidence to newer heights and we become more resolute

• We are on mission mode when working on 6G technology

On reforms

• Our reforms are a blueprint for India’s growth

• Big focus on reforms - from climate to abolishing colonial laws

• Reforms in governance will be critical to ensure a Viksit Bharat

• No more “chalega dekhenge” mindset bogged down by status quo rule and inability to think for the generations to come. This needs to be changed.

• Reform in the banking sector used to be unthinkable- it was a system that had lost its credibility. But today after the reforms that have been put into practice, we have earned credible reputation across the globe

• Banking sector is critically linked with the economy of the country

• Our dedication towards reforms is not limited to papers. We do not do it for appreciation but to make India stronger

On Atrocities against women

• People are angered by what is been happening to women across the country

• All of us need to take this issue, seriously, both the state and central level

• Quick action needs to be taken

• Cases of crime against women needed to be expedited, and the perpetrators need to be brought to the books at the earliest

• When cases of rape happen- Media discusses the case at length, but when these perpetrators are punisheds, there is very little discussion on the same

• We need to speak about the action taken on such criminals so that it can act as a deterren

On attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh

• PM is concerned about the situation of Hindus in Bangladesh

• Hindus in Bangladesh must be safeguarded

• PM said he is hoping that the attacks on minorities will stop soon and the rule of law will prevail

• Bangladesh must ensure safety of Hindus

• Will continue to help development in Bangladesh

On Uniform Civil Code (UCC)

• Detailed discussion and wider consultation need to happen on the uniform civil code in the nation.

• This will end all kind of discrimination between the poor and the rich and the backward, and the forward and communities

• The need of the hour is to have a secular civil code

Internal and External challenges for India

• There are many peopel in the country, who cannot digest the well-being of others, and our only interested in their own benefits

• Commitment towards the country will help us stall any such attempts

• PM Modi conveys to global powers that the development of India does not endanger anyone; we are a peace-loving country. We have not pushed any country towards war

On action against the corrupt

• Our country has overcome an entire regime of corruption. NDA government have opened a warfront against the corrupt

• I want to install a fear in the minds of the corrupt so that they cannot have the courage to cheat the common man

• Zero tolerance towards corruption is the only way to eradicate corruption

On Olympics

• Today, we also have with us the youth who are behind the Indian flag flying high in Olympics.

• On behalf of 140 crore countrymen, I congratulate all our athletes and players.

• In the next few days, a huge contingent of India will leave for Paris to participate in the Paralympics.

• India organising the G20 Summit on a large scale has proven that India has the capability to organise large-scale events. It is the dream of India to host 2036 Olympics, we are making preparations for that.

On Space Sector

• Space sector has innumerable opportunities and we need to work on further reforms in the sector. Start-ups are coming up in the sector. This is a big opportunity for the youth

• After Chandrayan our schools and colleges have come out to nurture talent in the space sector

• We have marked funds for research in our budget

On Education Sector

• New 75 thousand seats in medical Sector in next 5 years

• We want a developed education system so that nobody has to go overseas spending crores of rupees: PM Modi

• We want to create a system that people from across the globe, come to India to pursue studies

• PM stresses on promotion of mother tongue
  • Skill is a very vital area, and we want to empower it further
  • We want upskilling to be promoted in all sectors
  • We have given a thrust on internship in our budget announcement
  • After Chandrayan our schools and colleges have come out to nurture talent in the space sector

On Women-led development

• We have worked on the women lead development

• Every sector has seen increased participation of women

• In fact, women have become leading forces

• When women become financially independent they become part of the decision-making system in a household leading to social change.

• Till now, 9 lakh crores have been given to self-help groups in the country."

On farming Sector

• Reforms in the agriculture sector are also the ask of the hour

• We are working on constantly helping our farmers

• We are giving them easy loans , promoting the use of technology, end to end handholding including marketing of their produce

• I want to thank our farmers for embracing natural farming and doing a great service to the nation and to the environment

• The only country which has the ability to become the food basket for the world with natural organic products - that potential is with our country

On India as a market

• We have convinced the world and also surprise the world, not just by lip service but with our actions- we want to tell the world - India was able to achieve the targets ahead of time - no other G20 nation could do so

• This is the golden opportunity as the world wants to invest in India

• I request the state governments to come up with a clear policy to attract such investment

• States must provide good governance, assure law and order support for the investors and provide land et cetera for such investment

• Only the intent of the central government won’t work. The states will also have to do their bit to see results

• If you implement all this with a clear policy in mind, your state will also be shining

• We have to work on our Production quality from being Indian standard to international standard

• Design in India and design for the world should be our motto

• We can encourage talent to develop games online - Our youth, our IT professionals , should lead India in becoming the game capital - not as consumers, but creators

On Government Achievements in last 10 years

• In last 10 years, 10 crore women joined women self-help groups.

• 10 crore women are becoming financially independent.

• 15 crore houses getting “Har Ghar Jal”

• We have “Vocal for Local” mantra

• 10 crore women have attached to women self help cell

• 1 crore women are lakhpati didis now

• Electricity has Reached 2.5 Crore Homes

• Development has been the growth journey of Northeast, especially with infrastructure, focus

• Interference of the government on multiple issues will be minimised for middle class

• Reformed the redundant colonial laws - new criminal laws in place with the principle of ensuring justice and not punishment

• We should take steps to ensure ease of living for the common man, and I invite suggestions from everybody, including public representatives, even from political parties across the circle

• At one time, terrorists came and killed our people. We have done surgical strikes and air strikes - Now is the day when our forces do surgical strike

• Defence has also become make in India focus. We are gradually emerging as a manufacturing hub in the sector

• PLI scheme is a success story

• The upcoming 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda should be an inspiration for us to be sympathetic towards every start of society, especially the weaker sections of society

On Youths in Politics

• We need to bring one lakh fresh talent into the field of politics, who do not have anybody in their family in politics ever

• These youth will change the definition of politics in the times to come

• They will help us overcome dynastic politics in the country