Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday interacted with schoolchildren at the Red Fort after delivering his address to the nation on the occasion of India’s 80th Independence Day.
As soon as the Prime Minister concluded his speech, a group of schoolchildren dressed in white, green and saffron approached him. PM Modi stopped to interact with them and shook hands with several children, marking a warm conclusion to the Independence Day ceremony.
Earlier, PM Modi led the national Independence Day celebrations at the historic Red Fort, where he hoisted the National Flag and addressed the nation, outlining his vision for a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
This year’s celebrations held special significance as India marked 150 years of the National Song ‘Vande Mataram’. For the first time, the song was rendered as part of the Independence Day ceremony at the Red Fort.
During his address, PM Modi linked the spirit of ‘Vande Mataram’ with India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047 and called for collective efforts to build a self-reliant and developed India.
The Prime Minister highlighted India’s progress in areas including digital connectivity, digital transactions, piped gas, renewable energy and railway electrification.
He stressed the importance of ‘Make in India’ and greater self-reliance in strategic sectors, including critical minerals, energy security and data centres.
On energy security, PM Modi said India aims to achieve 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047 and also highlighted the expansion of solar energy.
He also spoke about India’s transformation in infrastructure and connectivity, including railway electrification, modern highways and waterways.
A key focus of his address was the next phase of reforms, with PM Modi describing India as being on a ‘Reform Express’ and outlining seven broad areas under ‘Sapta Dhara’ for the country’s development.
These include strengthening manufacturing and India’s position in global supply chains, improving food production and processing, promoting technology and innovation, expanding seamless connectivity through Gati Shakti, strengthening defence capabilities, developing the green and blue economy, and expanding India’s soft power through yoga, tourism, holistic healthcare and the creative and entertainment sectors.
The Prime Minister placed particular emphasis on India’s youth, describing them as the biggest beneficiaries and key drivers of the country’s development.
He said more than Rs 1 lakh crore had been allocated towards innovation, while initiatives such as Digital India, Skill India, Khelo India and the National Education Policy were creating greater opportunities for young Indians.
PM Modi announced that the government would work towards providing Artificial Intelligence training to more than one crore youth over the next year. He also spoke about providing free online coaching for various competitive examinations.
He said India would work to identify sporting talent among children aged between five and 15 years, with the aim of expanding the country’s participation across sporting disciplines at the 2036 Olympics.
The Prime Minister also spoke about national security and said India had resolved to make the country free of Naxalism and Maoism. He also announced plans for a civil defence network.
On women’s participation in public life, PM Modi urged all political parties to support the implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam and stressed the importance of greater representation of women in legislatures.
Earlier, PM Modi was received at the Red Fort by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. He received a Guard of Honour comprising personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Delhi Police.
The Prime Minister then proceeded to the ramparts, where he hoisted the National Flag. The flag-hoisting ceremony was synchronised with a 21-gun salute by the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial) using indigenous 105 mm Light Field Guns.
The 80th Independence Day celebrations are being held under the broader theme of ‘Yuva Shakti for Viksit Bharat@2047’, placing India’s youth at the centre of the country’s development journey.
The celebrations also marked PM Modi’s 13th consecutive Independence Day address from the Red Fort.
In his Independence Day message, PM Modi paid tribute to the freedom fighters whose sacrifices made India’s independence possible and urged citizens to contribute to nation-building through their duties and collective efforts.
His interaction with the schoolchildren after the address brought the formal ceremony to a warm and personal close, giving the children an opportunity to meet and shake hands with the Prime Minister at the historic venue.
-ANI
