“Today's Rozgar Mela is a reflection of the seriousness towards the future of the youth in Assam”
“All of us have taken a pledge to make our country a developed nation in the Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal”
“Government systems must transform themselves according to the present times”
“Employment and self-employment opportunities are getting a boost in every sector with every new infrastructure project”
“Today, youth are moving forward in many such sectors which no one could have imagined ten years ago”
“We are taking rapid steps towards building a new India”

Namaskar!

I congratulate all the youths and their families who have got jobs in the Government of Assam. I came to Assam on the occasion of Bihu last month. The memory of that grand event is still fresh in my mind. The event that took place at that time was a symbol of glorification of Assamese culture. Today's ‘Rozgar Mela’ (employment fair) is a symbol of the fact that the BJP government of Assam is very serious about the future of the youth. More than 40,000 youths have already been given government jobs through the employment fair in Assam. Today appointment letters have been handed over to about 45,000 youths. I wish all the youths a bright future.

Friends,

Today Assam is witnessing a new era of peace and development under the BJP government. This pace of development has spread positivity and inspiration in Assam. I am told that the Government of Assam has taken several steps to make government recruitment more transparent. 'Assam Direct Recruitment Commission' has been formed to carry out the recruitment process in various departments. In the earlier process, each department had different rules. As a result, many times the recruitments could not be completed on time. The candidates also had to appear for different examinations for the posts of different departments. Now all these processes have been simplified. The Assam government really deserves many congratulations.

Friends,

All of us have taken a pledge to make our country a developed nation in the ‘Amrit Kaal’ of independence. The next 25 years of ‘Amrit Kaal’ are as important as your tenure of service. You will now be the face of the Assam government for every common citizen. Now the impact of your behaviour, thinking, approach to work and your sense of service towards the general public will be huge. Therefore, you have to take care of some issues very much. Today our society is fast becoming aspirational. Gone are the days when people used to wait for decades even for basic amenities. Nowadays, no citizen wants to wait so much for development. In this era of Twenty20 cricket, the people of the country want immediate results. And therefore, the government machinery will also have to change itself accordingly. Government employees also have a huge responsibility to fulfil the aspirations of the citizens of the country. You have to move forward following the same hard work and dedication that have brought you to this position. You always have to keep learning. Only then will you be able to contribute to improving both the society and the system.

Friends,

Today, India is modernizing its infrastructure rapidly. Lakhs of crores of rupees are being spent on projects, whether it is construction of new highways and expressways, new railway lines, new ports, airports and waterways. The amount being spent by the government on every infrastructure project is increasing employment and self-employment. For example, if an airport is to be built, engineers, technicians, accountants, labourers, various types of equipment, steel and cement are required. In other words, there is creation of new employment opportunities in many sectors with one project. Employment opportunities are also being created by the expansion of railway lines and their electrification.

The emphasis that India is laying on basic facilities and improving the ease of living has also created new possibilities of employment in every nook and corner of the country. Since 2014, our government has built about four crore pucca houses for the poor in the country. These houses have been provided with toilets, gas connection, tap water and electricity. A lot of hard work has been put in by the manufacturing and logistics sector, skilled workers and labourers in building these houses and in ensuring these facilities. That is, employment opportunities have been created in different sectors at different stages. The Ayushman Bharat Yojana has also played a major role in employment generation. Many new hospitals and clinics have been built in the country under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. A few weeks back, I had the privilege of dedicating AIIMS Guwahati and three other medical colleges. Dental colleges have also expanded in Assam in the last few years. As a result, means of employment have been created for the youth associated with the medical profession.

Friends,

Today, youth are moving forward in many such sectors, about which no one could have imagined 10 years ago. The start-up ecosystem has created lakhs of direct and indirect jobs in the country. The growing demand for drones in agriculture, social events, surveys and defence sectors has created new opportunities for the youth. The ongoing AatmaNirbhar Bharat campaign in the country is also creating many new employment opportunities. Today crores of mobile phones are being manufactured in India and broadband connectivity is reaching every village. This has also encouraged employment and self-employment on a large scale. While being in the government, you always have to remember how the impact of one plan or one decision changes the lives of people.

Friends,

Today a large number of youths in the North East are coming into the mainstream of development due to the policies of the BJP government. The BJP government is committed to fulfil the dreams of the youth. We are also taking rapid steps towards building a new India by giving new opportunities for employment and self-employment. Once again, many congratulations to all of you and your family members.

Thanks!

 

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12 Years of Transformation: PM Modi Highlights India’s Progress in Independence Day Address
August 15, 2026

In his Independence Day address, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi highlighted India’s transformation over the last 12 years, outlining the progress made across manufacturing, digital infrastructure, basic amenities, energy security, youth empowerment, innovation, social security and other key sectors.

Key highlights from the Prime Minister’s address include:

1. Manufacturing: Scale and Self-Reliance

Over the last 12 years:

  • Defence production has increased nearly 4 times.
  • Khadi and Village Industries production has increased nearly 5 times.
  • Electronics manufacturing has increased nearly 7 times.
  • Modern railway coach production has increased 21 times.
  • Mobile phone production has increased 35 times.

2. Digital India and Innovation

The Prime Minister highlighted the rapid expansion of India’s digital and innovation ecosystem:

  • Internet consumers have increased nearly 4 times.
  • Patent grants have increased 4 times.
  • Digital transactions have increased around 100 times.
  • India has built a significantly larger digital and innovation ecosystem.

3. Faster Delivery of Basic Amenities

The Prime Minister highlighted the faster pace at which basic facilities are reaching ordinary citizens:

  • Tap-water connections have been provided at an average annual pace nearly 15 times faster.
  • LPG connections have been provided at an annual pace nearly 6 times faster.
  • Toilets for the poor have been constructed at an annual pace nearly 4 times faster.
  • Pucca houses for the poor have been provided at an annual pace nearly 3 times faster.
  • Hundreds of obsolete laws have been abolished.
  • Modern public transport, including metro systems, has reached several more cities.

4. Building the Semiconductor Ecosystem

The Prime Minister highlighted India’s progress in building domestic semiconductor capabilities:

  • India earlier had no major semiconductor manufacturing plant.
  • A complete semiconductor ecosystem is now being built in India.
  • Three semiconductor plants have been initiated.
  • India has also started exporting chips.

5. Securing Critical Minerals

Highlighting the importance of critical minerals for emerging technologies, the Prime Minister referred to the steps being taken to strengthen India’s capabilities in this sector:

  • National Critical Mineral Mission has been launched.
  • Critical Mineral Corridor has been announced in the Budget.
  • Agreements have been signed with several countries for critical mineral supplies.

6. Strengthening Energy Security

The Prime Minister underlined that energy security is an essential condition for building a developed India, particularly as technologies such as chips, AI and data centres require huge quantities of electricity.

Underlining the role of nuclear energy, the Prime Minister highlighted:

  • The SHANTI Act as a major reform in the nuclear energy sector.
  • India crossing an important milestone in Fast Breeder Nuclear Technology.
  • The potential of the technology to play a major role in making India self-reliant in nuclear fuel.

7. Expanding Oil and Gas Exploration

The Prime Minister highlighted the change in India’s approach towards offshore exploration:

  • Nearly 99% of India’s offshore area was earlier classified as a No-Go Area.
  • The approach has now changed from No-Go Area to Go Ahead Area.
  • Previously restricted areas have been opened for exploration.
  • This has created possibilities for discovering new oil and gas reserves.

8. Energy Diversification

The Prime Minister highlighted the rapid expansion in different sources of energy.

City Gas Distribution

  • 2014: Available in fewer than 70 cities.
  • Today: Available in around 700 cities.

Piped Cooking Gas

 

  • 2014: Around 20–22 lakh households.
  • Today: Nearly 1.75 crore households.

Solar Energy

 

  • 2014: Around 2 GW.
  • Today: Around 160 GW.

PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana

 

  • The scheme has crossed 50 lakh households.
  • Lakhs of families are benefiting through lower or zero electricity bills.
  • Families can also sell surplus electricity and earn.
  • Assistance of up to around ₹80,000 per household is available.

9. Railways: Electrification and Future Fuels

The Prime Minister highlighted the transformation of Indian Railways:

  • In 2014, after nearly 90 years, only around 30% of the railway network had been electrified.
  • Today, Indian Railways has moved towards near-complete electrification.
  • India has started work on its first Made-in-India hydrogen train.
  • It is being developed as the world’s longest and most powerful hydrogen train.

10. India’s Resilience During Global Crises

The Prime Minister said that the capabilities built over the last 10–12 years were tested during:

  • COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Russia-Ukraine war.
  • Conflicts in West Asia.

11. Affordable Fertiliser for Farmers

Highlighting the Government’s efforts to protect farmers from high global fertiliser prices, the Prime Minister stated:

  • Urea: Around ₹3,000 per bag internationally; Indian farmers get it for less than ₹300.
  • DAP: More than ₹5,000 internationally; Indian farmers get it for ₹1,350.

12. Trade and Export Opportunities

The Prime Minister highlighted the new opportunities being created for Indian producers and exporters:

  • Since 2014, India has entered into FTAs with around 40 countries.
  • New opportunities have opened for agriculture, fisheries, MSMEs, textiles and other export sectors.

13. Youth at the Centre of Viksit Bharat

The Prime Minister said that India’s youth have a major role in building Viksit Bharat and highlighted the new pathways opened up for them:

  • Startup India: New avenues for innovation and entrepreneurship.
  • ₹1 lakh crore Research Fund: New opportunities for young researchers.
  • Digital India: Empowerment through affordable data.
  • Skill India: National skills ecosystem.
  • Space Sector: Opened for private participation.
  • National Drone Policy: New opportunities for young entrepreneurs and innovators.
  • Khelo India: Strengthened sports ecosystem.

14. Education and Innovation

The Prime Minister highlighted the expansion of educational and innovation opportunities:

  • National Education Policy 2020: Introduced after a gap of 35 years.
  • Universities: Fewer than 350 during 2004–2014; around 650 new universities added in the following decade.
  • Medical Colleges: Fewer than 400 before 2014; around 850 today.
  • More than 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs have been established in schools.
  • Focus has been placed on developing a technology and innovation mindset from an early age.

15. Startups, Space and AI

The Prime Minister highlighted India’s growing startup and innovation ecosystem:

  • An Indian space startup has launched a Made-in-India rocket.
  • India now has around 2.5 lakh registered startups.
  • AI is creating new opportunities for young Indians.
  • India hosted the AI Impact Summit this year.

16. New Sectors and New Opportunities

Bioeconomy

  • 2014: Around ₹60,000 crore.
  • Today: Nearly ₹20 lakh crore.
  • The expansion is creating new jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Electric Vehicles

 

  • Towards the end of the previous decade: Around 1.5 lakh EVs sold annually.
  • Last year: Around 25 lakh EVs sold.

Aviation

 

  • New airports and routes are creating employment.
  • MRO is opening new opportunities.
  • India is moving towards Made-in-India aircraft manufacturing.
  • The Made-in-India C-295 defence transport aircraft has successfully completed its flight.

17. Rural Empowerment through SVAMITVA

The Prime Minister highlighted the impact of the SVAMITVA initiative:

  • Around 3.25 crore families have received property cards.
  • Around ₹140 lakh crore of economic potential has been unlocked in rural areas.
  • Property records are enabling villagers to access bank loans against their property.
  • New avenues for rural employment, self-employment and entrepreneurship have opened up.

18. Growth in Defence Exports

The Prime Minister highlighted the expansion of India’s defence exports:

  • Defence exports have increased more than 50 times.
  • Indian defence equipment is now exported to around 100 countries.

19. Women-Led Development: Lakhpati Didi

Highlighting the growing role of women in India’s development:

  • The target of 3 crore Lakhpati Didis has been achieved.
  • Women from general, Dalit, backward and tribal families have become Lakhpati Didis.

20. Expanding Social Security

The Prime Minister highlighted the expansion of social security coverage:

  • Before 2014, around 25 crore people were covered by social security.
  • Today, around 100 crore Indians are covered by one or another social security scheme.

21. Ayushman Bharat

The Prime Minister highlighted the financial relief provided to families through Ayushman Bharat:

  • Beneficiary families have avoided an estimated ₹2 lakh crore in medical expenditure.