Prime Minister Modi addresses the nation from Red Fort on 73rd Independence Day

Published By : Admin | August 15, 2019 | 07:00 IST
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on the 73th Independence Day from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi, soon after hoisting the National Flag. He extended his greetings to fellow countrymen and wished people on the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan. During his address, the Prime Minister spoke at length about the transformations taking place in the country and presented the government’s vision to take India to greater heights of glory through public participation.

The Prime Minister began his speech by expressing solidarity with those affected by floods in several parts of the country. He assured the Central Government’s full assistance in relief measures and applauded the efforts of the NDRF and other rescue teams.

70 days of pathbreaking decision-making:

During his speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the landmark moves undertaken by the government in the first 70 days of its second term. “It has been under ten weeks since the new Government was formed but several pathbreaking decisions have been taken”, said PM Modi.
Speaking about the recent revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, PM Modi said, "By abrogating Articles 370 and 35A, we have fulfilled Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's dream."

Highlighting the matter of Triple Talaq Bill, he added that the government had been able to ensure justice to all the Muslim women by implementing the Bill.
The PM added that the government had worked for the farmers and workers by providing MSP and pensions. He also enumerated measures being undertaken to tackle water crisis by forming a separate Jal Shakti Ministry.

SabkaSaath, Sabka Vikas, SabkaVishwaas:

Enumerating on the government’s vision of ‘SabkaSaath, Sabka Vikas and SabkaVishwaas’, PM Modi said, “We are also working to provide inclusive development to the tribal communities, minorities and all sections of the society.” He said that from 2014 to 2019, it was time to fulfil the needs of people and 2019 onwards is the time to give wings to the aspirations of the people of the country.

Ensuring gender justice:

Elucidating about the passage of the historic Triple Talaq Bill in the Parliament, PM Narendra Modi noted how Muslim women earlier used to suffer and be scared. “The fear of Triple talaq kept haunting Muslim women and that is why we took the step to criminalise instant talaq”, he said.

One Nation, one Constitution:

PM Narendra Modi said it was keeping up with the democratic spirit of India that Article 370 and Article 35A had been abrogated from Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. “We do not believe in creating problems or prolonging them. In less than 70 days of the new Government, Article 370 has become history, and in both Houses of Parliament, 2/3rd of the members supported this step. We want to serve Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh”, the Prime Minister said.

Shri Modi said that the old arrangement in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh encouraged corruption, nepotism and there was injustice when it came to rights of women, children, Dalits, tribal communities and sanitation workers.

Questioning those who supported Article 370, PM Modi said, “India is asking them: If this was so important and life changing, why was this Article not made permanent? After all, those people had large mandates and could have removed the temporary status of Article 370.”

He said that after the revocation of Article 370, the spirit of ‘One Nation, One Constitution’ has become a reality in India.
“GST brought to life the dream of One Nation, One Tax. India has also achieved One Nation, One Grid in the energy sector. Arrangements have been made for One Nation, One Mobility Card. Today, India is talking about One Nation, One Election”, he added further.

Jal Jeevan Mission:

Expressing concern about the water crisis, the Prime Minister said it was unfortunate that so many people lack access to water even 70 years after Independence. “Work on the Jal Jeevan Mission will progress with great vigour in the years to come. Rs 3.5 lakh crore will used for this mission”, he said. The PM said that people from all sections of society must focus on water conservation and make it a mass movement.

There must be greater awareness on population explosion: PM

Highlighting a major issue of population explosion from the Red Fort, PM Modi said, “We have to think- can we do justice to the aspirations of our children. There is a need to have greater discussion and awareness on population explosion.”
Encouraging family planning, PM Modi urged parents to give a serious thought to whether they will be able to fulfil their child's dreams and aspirations and support a new life.

Waging a war against corruption:

Prime Minister Modi during his addressed noted how corruption had ruined the nation for 70 long years. He said, “Every effort made to remove corruption and black money is welcome. These are menaces that have ruined India for 70 long years. Let us always reward honesty.”

Giving citizens the freedom to pursue their aspirations:

Prime Minister Modi called for reducing the excess influence of Governments on people’s lives. “Let our people have the freedom of pursuing their own aspirations, let the right eco-system be made in this regard”, he said.

He said that there should be no interference on the part of the government but if needed the government should always be there.

High jump, not incremental progress:

Prime Minister Modi said that India does not want incremental progress, but a high jump was needed. “Our thought process has to be expanded. We have to keep in mind global best practices and build good systems and ensure development accordingly”, he said.

The PM added that people now aspire big. “Earlier, people were happy with merely a plan to make a railway station. Now people ask when will Vande Bharat Express come to my area. People do not want only good railway stations or bus stations; they ask when a good airport is coming. Earlier the aspiration was to have a good mobile phone but now, people aspire better data speed. Times are changing and we have to accept that”, the PM remarked.

Zero Defect, Zero Effect:

Prime Minister Modi expounded upon the vision expanding exports. He said that it was time to think about how exports could be boosted. “Each district of India has so much to offer. Let us make local products attractive. May more export hubs emerge. Our guiding principle is Zero Defect, Zero Effect”, he said.

Moving towards a $5 trillion economy:

PM Modi during his speech said that there were several avenues which could contribute towards India becoming a five trillion-dollar economy. “Today, not only India has a stable Government, but the country’s policy regime too is predictable. The world is eager to explore trade with India. We are working to keep prices under check and increase development. The fundamentals of our economy are strong.”

Adding further about the nation’s wealth creators, PM Modi said that wealth creation was a great national service. “Let us never see wealth creators with suspicion. Only when wealth is created, wealth will be distributed. Those who create wealth are India’s wealth and we respect them”, he said.

The PM also drew attention of people towards the tourism industry in India and highlighted how the sector can be accentuated. He said that by encouraging tourism in the country, the country’s economy would benefit tremendously. Encouraging domestic tourism, PM Modi said that people travel abroad for holidays. He urged people to visit at least 15 tourist destinations across India before 2022, when we mark 75 years of freedom.

Strengthening coordination among defence forces:

India’s forces are India’s pride and to further strengthen the coordination among them, Prime Minister Modi announced a major decision from the Red Fort. “India will have a Chief of Defence Staff- CDS. This is going to make the forces even more effective”, said the Prime Minister.

Clarion call to free India from single use plastic:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his speech from the Red Fort today gave the clarion call to free India from single use plastic. “Can we free India from single use plastic? The time for implementing such an idea has come. May teams be mobilised to work in this direction. Let a significant step be made on 2nd October”, he said.

Urging people to consume ‘Made in India’ products, PM Modi said that it would improve the rural economy and give a boost to the MSME sector.

‘Yes’ to digital payments, ‘no’ to cash:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi once again urged the countrymen to use digital modes of payments. The PM urged people to make it their motto.

Soon after concluding his address, the Prime Minister met and interacted with the children who had gathered at the Red Fort. Dressed in the colours of the National Flag, the students were enthused to meet the Prime Minister.

Several Union Ministers, leaders and other delegates were present during the Prime Minister’s address.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi Chairs Second High-Level Meeting with Secretaries of Government of India
July 28, 2026
Sectors discussed: Finance and Economy, Commerce and Industry, and Technology
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PM says Govt must always remain youthful, dynamic and forward-looking, continuously adapting to new challenges and opportunities with agility and innovation
Secretaries share experiences and perspectives on key initiatives, emerging opportunities and implementation challenges

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi chaired the second high-level meeting with Secretaries to the Government of India at his residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg earlier today. He reviewed the future action agenda of Ministries and Departments dealing with Finance and Economy, Commerce and Industry, and Technology sectors. The meeting focused on accelerating progress towards the goals of Viksit Bharat.

Prime Minister called for a strong focus on team building across Ministries and Departments, urging officers to work with a shared sense of purpose. He emphasised the need to break both horizontal and vertical silos within the Government so that departments function in close coordination and deliver integrated outcomes.

Highlighting the importance of citizen-centric governance, Prime Minister said that the people of India must remain at the centre of governance. He reminded that every decision and policy should be guided by the interests and aspirations of the common citizen.

Prime Minister stressed that while India is making significant investments in infrastructure, equal priority must be given to developing indigenous technologies. He underscored the importance of technological self-reliance and building domestic capabilities in critical sectors.

Prime Minister underlined that energy security is closely linked with national security, economic stability and citizens’ welfare. Prime Minister said India must achieve self-reliance in the energy sector through innovation, diversification and accelerated capacity creation.

Emphasising that reforms are not merely a fashionable term but a continuous necessity for effective governance, Prime Minister stressed the need to reform processes, improve work culture and strengthen institutional efficiency.

Prime Minister said that growing use of technology must be accompanied by a strong focus on cybersecurity to safeguard digital systems and infrastructure. He stressed the need for constant vigilance against emerging cyber threats. He called for encouraging greater participation of young innovators and entrepreneurs in the cybersecurity ecosystem and emphasised that it should evolve into a nationwide movement.

Prime Minister also emphasised the importance of proactive communication on strategic sectors where the country is undertaking major initiatives, to counter misinformation and unfounded fears surrounding such efforts.

Prime Minister says that new academic courses should be planned in partnership with industry to equip the workforce with skills required by emerging and future industries. He also observed that a government must always remain youthful, dynamic and forward-looking, continuously adapting to new challenges and opportunities with agility and innovation.

The meeting featured detailed discussions by Secretaries on the progress, priorities and implementation issues across their respective domains. The meeting was attended by the Cabinet Secretary, Secretaries of key Ministries and Departments, and senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Office.