From Security to Semiconductors: PM Modi’s Independence Day address charts course for 2047
New Delhi, August 15: In his 12th consecutive Independence Day speech from the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the platform to weave together themes of national security, economic revival, and the vision of a self-reliant India by 2047. The address began with an emotive reminder of the country’s unity and ended with a sweeping set of reforms and commitments.
Modi described the Independence Day celebrations as a festival of “140 crore resolutions,” saying that the colours of the tricolour had touched every corner of the nation – from the deserts of Rajasthan to the Himalayan peaks, from the coastline to the busiest cities. The day, he said, was not only about commemorating freedom but also about celebrating collective achievements and reaffirming national unity.
Security First: The Message of Operation Sindoor
Before moving to policy matters, the Prime Minister anchored his address in the recent memory of Operation Sindoor, the military response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. In that incident, armed militants crossed the border, targeted civilians after asking their religion, and carried out killings in front of family members.
Modi said the outrage across the nation had been immense, and that the armed forces had been given complete freedom to respond. The operation, he noted, penetrated deep into enemy territory and inflicted “unimaginable damage,” leaving Pakistan unsettled. He warned that India would no longer accept nuclear threats or differentiate between terrorists and their sponsors. “Those who commit acts of terror and those who enable them are both enemies of humanity,” he said.
Reiterating his government’s long-held stance, Modi declared that “blood and water will not flow together,” asserting that Indian rivers would serve Indian farmers, not hostile neighbours.
Economic Ambition: Technology and Industry Revival
Shifting focus, Modi addressed the revival of a plan first conceived more than five decades ago – domestic semiconductor manufacturing. The project, once mired in bureaucratic delays, is now advancing with six units already completed and four more approved. By the end of this year, he promised, the market would see India’s first home-grown semiconductor chips, designed and built entirely within the country.
The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of nuclear energy in India’s future, revealing that ten reactors are under construction. The government aims to increase the country’s nuclear power capacity tenfold, with private companies now allowed to participate in the sector.
Vision for a Developed India
Looking to the year 2047, when India will celebrate 100 years of independence, Modi positioned the goal of becoming a developed nation as a shared national mission, not a political agenda. He urged citizens to adopt the “Vocal for Local” approach, prepare for an era of electric mobility, and ensure that Indian products offer “lower costs and higher performance.”
He called upon young scientists, engineers, and professionals to design indigenous jet engines for the country’s fighter aircraft, framing it as a critical step in technological self-sufficiency.
Jobs and Tax Relief: Twin Announcements for Citizens
In one of the day’s biggest announcements, Modi launched the Prime Minister Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojana, a ₹1 lakh crore employment initiative. The scheme will provide ₹15,000 to every youth entering their first private sector job, with additional incentives for companies that create more employment. The government estimates that 3.5 crore young people will benefit from the programme.
He also revealed that a major overhaul of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime will be unveiled this Diwali. The reform, aimed at lowering tax rates for ordinary citizens, was presented as part of a “double celebration” for the festive season.
Symbolism and Substance
The Prime Minister’s appearance at the Red Fort carried both symbolic weight and substantive policy direction. He linked the removal of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir to the broader theme of unity and national integrity, calling it a tribute to Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee. He also positioned the Constitution as the nation’s guiding light, offering stability amid change.
Modi’s address, while celebratory in tone, carried a clear message: India’s path to becoming a developed nation will depend on uncompromising security measures, aggressive industrial revival, and a deep commitment to technological self-reliance.
About The Author
