IN his Independence Day address from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Saturday, August 15, that a comprehensive network of civil defence personnel will be developed. He made the remarks while emphasising external and internal security threats facing the nation.

Delivering his 13th Independence Day speech, PM Modi said, “...making India secure is the collective responsibility of all of us. Whether the challenge arises from within our borders or from beyond them, India is fully prepared for every situation.”

He said the nature of warfare is transforming. "There is no longer any guarantee that a war will only be fought along border frontiers...," PM Modi said while emphasising an attack on infrastructures such as the banking sector and data centres.

Inside PM Modi's vision of civil defence

PM Modi said the country needs to prepare its citizens, while also working to build defence weapons and military forces.

As part of the move, PM Modi said the government will familiarise citizens with advanced emergency systems and protocols and create a modern Civil Defence volunteer force.

"We will familiarise them with modern systems. What measures can be put in place to protect citizens from modern-day crises? We are going to create a massive, modern Civil Defence volunteer force capable of overcoming contemporary challenges," PM Modi said during his I-Day speech on Saturday.

The prime minister added that today, the contribution of "our sisters and daughters to nation-building serves as a great source of inspiration for us all."

"Whether it is fighter jets or civil aviation, our daughters are at the forefront. Be it the sports arena or STEM education, our daughters are leading the way. Even in the armed forces, daughters graduating from the NDA are demonstrating the capability to lead the nation's military with great confidence and authority...," PM Modi said.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his warm greetings to the nation on the occasion of Independence Day. He noted that this national festival serves as a poignant reminder of the incredible courage, tireless struggle, and unparalleled dedication of our brave freedom fighters to the motherland, which ensured the end of colonial rule.

He highlighted that, India, powered by 140 crore Indians, is scaling new heights of progress across different sectors. He expressed his hope that this developmental journey will keep progressing at an even greater pace in the times to come.

​In a post on X, the Prime Minister wrote: “Warm greetings on the occasion of Independence Day. ​We remember with gratitude the countless freedom fighters whose courage, sacrifice and unwavering commitment ensured the end of colonial rule. Their dreams continue to inspire us as we work together to build a Viksit Bharat.”

“​Powered by 140 crore Indians, our nation is scaling new heights of progress across different sectors. May this journey keep progressing at an even greater pace in the times to come,” PM Modi wrote on X.

'Armed Naxals may be eliminated, but Dimagi Naxals still lurking' 

He also launched a scathing attack on Naxalism and Maoism, saying the two had destroyed the future of several young people.

PM Modi said Maoist extremism is breathing its last in the country and called for "identifying and isolating" the "dimagi Naxals", news agency PTI reported.

PM Modi hits out at 'Dimagi Naxals'

Hailing the elimination of Naxalism, PM Modi, in his 13th consecutive Independence Day address, warned against lowering the guard against 'Dimagi Naxals'. He said that while armed Naxals may have been eliminated, the country is still dealing with 'Dimagi Naxals'.

He said, "For four decades, huge areas and people were in their clutches under the fear of guns," and added, “Over 3,500 security personnel died protecting people; the number is higher than those who die in war.”

PM Modi also recalled the time when his government came to power and said, "When we came to power in 2014, we swore to rid the country of Naxals. I am happy that Maoist violence is taking its last breath." He also emphasised that several areas have been freed of Naxalites and are now witnessing development.

He also launched a sharp attack on those who were in power and allegedly had a Naxal mentality, saying, "For years, those with a Naxal mentality had their place in the power corridors. They were in government committees as advisors. Maoist thinking impacted policies. We have succeeded in getting rid of armed Naxals in the jungles, but 'dimagi Naxals' (intellectual Naxals) are looking for opportunities to create violence, unrest … They want to drag society on the wrong path."

Modi puts manufacturing, youth at heart of India’s 2047 growth push, unveils seven-pronged strategy

Modi also put youth at the centre of India’s next phase of development, calling for “next-level reforms” in education, skills, technology and the economy and laying out a seven-pronged growth strategy to take the country to a higher global scale by 2047.

Modi called upon political parties to work towards reservation of women in Parliament and state assemblies, while announcing the creation of a new civil defence network.

The address marked a shift in the government’s Viksit Bharat narrative from the delivery of basic infrastructure and welfare outcomes of the past decade to a new goal centred on global competitiveness, self-reliance and structural reforms.

The PM outlined seven “shaktis” (powers) – manufacturing power, agriculture and food processing, technology and innovation, Gati Shakti, defence power, green economy, and soft power – that he said would provide India with “new speed and new height” as it works towards becoming a developed economy by 2047, when the country will mark its 100th Independence Day.

Stressing the need for an Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), he said the focus should be on manufacturing and becoming a competitive part of global value chains through cost, quality and supply-chain strength.

“India should not merely be a market for the world; it should be a key partner in the global supply chain. For that, our factories should be competitive, our products should be user-friendly, and the packaging should be the best,” the PM said while stressing that MSMEs should take advantage of a series of free trade pacts signed within developed economies.

He said 50 Indian companies should become Fortune 500 companies in the next few years, one Indian bank should rank among the world’s leading banks, Indian rating agencies, consultancy and auditing firms should gain global recognition, and one Indian pharmaceutical company should be among the top five globally.

The comments come days after the government relaxed rules allowing Indian consultancy firms to participate in more government contracts, a move first reported by Mint on 11 August.

Youth features prominently in his speech. Modi spoke about start-ups, foreign universities, free online courses for youth and training one crore youth in artificial intelligence over the next year. The PM also called upon the youth to participate more actively in sports.

This comes in the background of the protest of the youth at the Jantar Mantar that resulted in the ouster of Dharmendra Pradhan as the education minister on 25 July.

Energy security

On energy security and strategic self-reliance, Modi reiterated the target of 100 GW of nuclear power generation by 2047 and referred to the need for five new nuclear reactors, critical minerals, energy security and data centres as emerging strategic requirements. The 100 GW nuclear target is also part of the government’s broader Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat.

The strategy also envisages India moving up global value chains in sectors ranging from manufacturing, agriculture and food processing, technology and innovation, logistics, defence, and green economy. Agriculture, meanwhile, is expected to shift towards higher-value processed and branded exports, while Gati Shakti is intended to reduce logistics costs.

The strategy also seeks leadership in AI, 6G and emerging technologies, self-reliance in defence and energy, and greater global recognition for India’s cultural and creative industries.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the transformation of the previous decade, from expanded piped-gas access and solar capacity to complete railway electrification and presented these achievements as the foundation for the next phase of development.

The defence and internal-security components add another layer to the agenda, with the PM calling for further defence measures, reiterating the resolve to make India Naxal-free and announcing a civil-defence network.

He outlined these goals as achievable, given India’s stable political mandate and government. “India has a stable political mandate, a stable government, a vibrant democracy, a strong justice system, and a Constitution that gives direction to us all,” Modi said.

“With key state assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Manipur and Uttarakhand due over the next few years, the PM’s Independence Day speech also sought to address key voter segments,” said Arvind Mohan, former political researcher at Lokniti, the research programme of the Delhi-based Centre for the Study of Developing Societies.

“Initiatives targeting youth in Uttar Pradesh, the target of 6 crore Lakhpati Didis, Nasha Mukt Bharat, free online coaching for students and efforts to promote civic development may be seen in this context,” Mohan added.

AI training, free coaching, Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan and more

Modi also announced multiple new initiatives for the youth. Addressing the nation on the 80th Independence Day, PM Modi highlighted the goal for a 'Viksit Bharat' must be linked with the youth of the nation.

Narendra Modi on AI skill courses for youth

In his speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort, the PM announced that one crore youth will be trained under the artificial intelligence (AI) skill courses.

Free digital coaching classes

Modi also said that free online coaching classes will be provided to youth preparing for various competitive examinations.

Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan

He also called for a collective effort towards a drug-free nation with the 100-day nationwide Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan.

He said, “Drug addiction is becoming a very big challenge for the country and its youth. Making India drug-free should be a collective responsibility of all of us.”

"For our bright future, our youth generation should be strong, our youth should be capable and should work for the country," he added, urging volunteers, NGOs, social and cultural organisations and spiritual leaders to gear up for the 100-week campaign.

"I want to tell every family that you too should become a part of this campaign. Join it and come forward to fulfil the dream of a drug-free India," the PM said.

Talent hunt ahead of 2036 Olympics

Calling India a strong contender to host the 2036 Olympics, Modi said that a talent hunt would be launched to identify prospects in the age group of 5 to 15 across the country.

"India is making space for itself in the world of sports. We hear our national anthem frequently and see our tri-colour going up very often. TOPS has achieved great success. Whether it is Khelo India Games, University Games, Beach Games, Winter Games, or sports training, sports medicine, or sports nutrition, India is moving ahead at a great pace," he said.

"India's performance is improving, and we are strong contenders to become an Olympic host in 2036. We are hosting the CWG in 2030. There are about 40 disciplines in the Olympics, with nearly 350 events. Sadly, we don't compete in at least two-thirds of these events because we are not even able to qualify.

"We have decided that in 2036, we should have participation in at least three fourth events. We are launching a nationwide talent hunt for children aged 5 to 15 to identify prospects in every corner of the country. They will get special training to become world-class athletes," he added.

Saptadhara

Modi also stressed the importance of technological development in the nation, which is part of the 'Saptadhara' (seven streams of power) vision as announced by him.

The PM also remained confident that India will become a developed nation by 2047.

"The whole country is moving forward with a new resolve. India has also dreamt big--and that is the dream of becoming a developed nation by 2047. Viksit Bharat will be realised in 2047. When we (the country) pledge to become Viksit, the world also watches us. When the world's most populous country takes the resolution to become a developed nation, it becomes an introduction of our courage, and the world is compelled to look at us with a different perspective," PM Modi said in his speech.

These initiatives come after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led movement in India. Following the student protests, PM Modi has focused on the youth, starting with reaching out to them via self-recorded, selfie-style reels on Instagram.

Key takeaways 

1. Energy, nuclear power: Addressing the country from the Red Fort, PM Modi highlighted the importance of energy security, adding that the government has taken several steps in this direction. PM Modi further said the country is moving forward to harness alternative sources of energy.

The Prime Minister noted that India has set a target of 200 GW of nuclear energy and plans to set up five new nuclear reactors, with the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, attaining criticality this year. Parliament has also cleared the SHANTI Act, which sets a target of achieving 100 GW of nuclear power by 2047.

2. Aatmanirbhar Bharat & self-reliance: PM Modi called for reducing dependence on other nations as he pushed for Indians to become self-reliant. He noted that every Indian is now rooting for Vocal for Local and extending support to "Swadeshi" products.

PM Modi said rising geopolitical tensions had exposed the risks of relying on other countries, underscoring the need to strengthen domestic capabilities in critical sectors such as energy and minerals.

3. Semiconductors & critical minerals: Pushing for more semiconductor plants in the country, PM Modi said India would now build more such facilities and added that in the next seven to eight years, the country would have up to eight more chip plants. The Prime Minister also noted that the country has established semiconductor plants as part of its efforts towards self-reliance. He also emphasised India’s efforts to forge more partnerships on critical minerals, with several countries now depending on India for critical minerals.

4. Viksit Bharat: During his address, PM Modi shed light on the country's Viksit Bharat goal and said, "Our success shows resolve of Viksit Bharat in 2047 cannot remain unfulfilled." He added, "Small dreams are not sufficient anymore… we should dream big… India has a big dream to become 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047. When the world's most populous nation resolves to become developed, the world will look at us differently."

For Viksit Bharat, PM Modi also laid out a seven-point reform framework, 'Sapta Dhara', aimed at accelerating India's journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047: manufacturing, agro-food production and food processing, technology and innovation, logistics, defence, green and blue economy, and soft power.

5. West Asia crisis: PM Modi also addressed the West Asia crisis in his speech and highlighted India's response to the fuel supply disruption that created a panic-like situation across economies. He said, "Some people weaponised systems at their disposal during times of crisis, but our self-reliance helped us." He went on to say that the Indian government proved naysayers wrong by ensuring sufficient energy supplies during the crisis, and that due to the Central government's measures, India has not witnessed a shortage of gas, fuel, and urea.

6. MSMEs & trade: Highlighting India's growing presence in global trade, PM Modi said the country has concluded free trade agreements (FTAs) with 40 countries, adding that the world has started to recognise India's capabilities. He further said the trade agreements being signed by New Delhi provide significant opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). PM Modi also noted that the country should remain open to global markets while ensuring that Indian products meet high-quality standards.

7. Governance, democracy & legal reforms: India has a stable political mandate and government, along with a vibrant democracy.

PM Modi highlighted India's strong judicial system and the Constitution as pillars guiding the country. He said India cannot progress in the 21st century while relying on laws from the previous century, pointing towards the need for legal reforms.

8. Youth & Census: PM Modi called on the youth to take up leadership roles and dedicate time to the ongoing Census exercise.

He appealed to youngsters to actively participate in the Census process. The Prime Minister also urged young people to provide accurate information about their families digitally to help make the Census error-free.

9. Women empowerment: PM Modi said 33 per cent reservation for women is the need of the hour and appealed to all political parties to support the move and take credit for it. He said the government is working towards creating 6 crore 'Lakhpati Didis'.

10. Civil Defence & National Security

PM Modi announced plans to establish a vibrant network of civil defence and build a voluntary force to tackle modern challenges.

He said wars are no longer fought only along borders and can also target critical sectors such as banking, infrastructure and refineries.