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The freedom fighters of the last century dedicated themselves to winning independence. This generation must dedicate itself to building a prosperous Bharat. Prosperity requires unity, and unity demands that we rise above party lines. I call upon every citizen, every political party, and every influencer to embrace the spirit of Vocal for Local. Let every shop carry the pride of “Swadeshi goods sold here.” Let self-reliance become not a compulsion, but a source of strength and conviction.

By NARENDRA MODI  TheNewsDose.com 

This grand festival of Independence is not just a commemoration of our freedom, but a celebration of the 140 crore resolutions that define India today. It is a collective moment of pride, a testimony to our shared achievements, and a reminder of the sacrifices that made our liberty possible. From the deserts to the Himalayan peaks, from our seashores to the bustling cities, the tricolour flutters proudly. The echo resounds everywhere — the praise of our motherland, dearer to us than life itself.

From the ramparts of the Red Fort, I salute the brave warriors of Operation Sindoor. On April 22, when terrorists crossed the border and committed a massacre in Pahalgam, the nation was engulfed in grief and anger. In response, we gave our armed forces complete freedom — to plan, decide and act. What they achieved has not been witnessed in decades. By striking deep into enemy territory, they dismantled terror infrastructure and sent an unambiguous message: India will not tolerate aggression.

This strength flows from our journey towards self-reliance in defence. Imagine if India were dependent on foreign suppliers during such a crisis — doubts and delays would have crippled us. Instead, years of consistent effort towards indigenisation have borne fruit, enabling swift and decisive action.

But self-reliance is not only about defence. It is about safeguarding our capabilities in every sphere. After Independence, feeding millions was the first great challenge, met by the toil of our farmers. Today, the challenges are new, but the principle remains the same: without self-reliance, freedom itself is incomplete.

Consider technology. The semiconductor industry, which drives the modern world, first entered India’s policy discussions over half a century ago. Yet, opportunities were squandered, files were shelved, and decades were lost. Today, we have broken free from that inertia. Six semiconductor units are already taking shape, with four more approved, moving forward in mission mode. This determination ensures that India will not be left behind in the technological revolution of the 21st century.

Energy, too, is central to self-reliance. India has long depended on costly imports of petrol, diesel, and gas. In the last 11 years, solar energy capacity has multiplied thirtyfold. We are rapidly expanding hydropower, advancing Mission Green Hydrogen, and accelerating nuclear power projects — with 10 reactors underway and a goal to increase atomic capacity tenfold by 2047. A self-reliant energy ecosystem will strengthen both our economy and our sovereignty.

Parallelly, the National Manufacturing Mission is powering ahead, with MSMEs forming the backbone of global supply chains. Yet, we must go beyond contribution to leadership. Quality is our passport to international recognition. Our mantra of Zero Defect, Zero Effect must guide every factory, workshop, and enterprise, ensuring India’s imprint in world markets is synonymous with excellence.

The freedom fighters of the last century dedicated themselves to winning independence. This generation must dedicate itself to building a prosperous Bharat. Prosperity requires unity, and unity demands that we rise above party lines. I call upon every citizen, every political party, and every influencer to embrace the spirit of Vocal for Local. Let every shop carry the pride of “Swadeshi goods sold here.” Let self-reliance become not a compulsion, but a source of strength and conviction.

This journey is made possible by the tireless contributions of our farmers, scientists, soldiers, teachers, labourers, and institutions that shape our nation. I take this occasion to recognise one such institution — the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). For a century, the RSS has dedicated itself to nation-building through service, discipline, and character. It stands as one of the largest service organisations in the world, and its century-long journey is a matter of national pride.

At the same time, we must remain vigilant. A grave challenge confronts us — attempts to alter India’s demography through infiltration. These infiltrators threaten our security, our livelihoods, and even target our sisters and daughters. Especially in border regions, such demographic shifts pose a direct risk to national integrity. To counter this, I announce the launch of a High-Power Demography Mission to address these threats with urgency and resolve.

India’s history has been shaped by those who worked tirelessly, who turned adversity into achievement, who bent time itself with their resolve. Today is our moment to bend time once more. Let us remember — those who toil are the ones who make history.

As we celebrate this Independence Day, let us reaffirm our collective resolve: to build a self-reliant, secure, and prosperous India.

The writer is the Prime Minister of India.
(Edited excerpts of his address to the nation on August 15)