Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi on the 76th Independence Day – August 15, 2022, and called upon all to take up the responsibility of fulfilling the dreams of the freedom fighters by 2047. This Team India of 130 crore countrymen will realize all the dreams by moving forward as a team, he said.
“Today, I am talking about the strength of 130 crore countrymen, witnessing their dreams and feeling their resolutions from the ramparts of Red Fort…. And we must take up the responsibility of fulfilling all the dreams of the freedom fighters by embracing those Panch Pran by 2047 when the country celebrates 100 years of independence,” Modi said in his Independence Day speech.
The Panch Pran is the goal of developed India, according to Modi - to remove any trace of colonial mindset, take pride in our roots, unity and sense of duty among citizens.
Stressing his commitment to empowering and uplifting the person sitting at the last mile, the prime minister said he has left no stone unturned to reach the corners and fulfil Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of inclusion.
“I have committed myself to his vision of empowering and uplifting the person sitting at the last mile…. We are embarking on the glorious years of 75 years today on AMRIT MAHOTSAV. On the first morn of 76th year, I am filled with pride to see such an immensely endowed nation”.
The prime minister also said that when we talk about the freedom struggle, “we cannot forget to take pride of our tribal society living in forests. There are countless names like Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Sidhu-Kanhu, Alluri Sitarama Raju, Govind Guru, who became the voice of freedom movement and inspired my tribal brothers and sisters, mothers and youth in the remotest jungles to live and die for the motherland”.
Modi also recalled how the brave women of India such as Rani Lakshmibai, Jhalkari Bai, Durga Bhabhi, Rani Gaidinliu, Rani Chennamma, Begum Hazrat Mahal, Velu Nachiyar, Modi showed the mettle of women power of India.
All the countrymen are deeply indebted to Pujya Bapu, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Babasaheb Ambedkar, Veer Savarkar, Mangal Pandey, Tantya Tope, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru, Chandrashekhar Azad, Ashfaq Ulla Khan, Ram Prasad Bismil and countless such revolutionaries who shook the foundations of the British rule, he said.
Recalling other freedom fighters, Modi said today is an opportunity to pay homage to countless great men such as Dr Rajendra Prasad ji, Nehru ji, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Shyama Prasad Mookerjee, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Deendayal Upadhyay, Jai Prakash Narayan, Ram Manohar Lohia, Acharya Vinoba Bhave, Nanaji Deshmukh, Subramania Bharati, who fought the war of independence and built the country after independence.
Pointing out ‘Amrit Mahotsav’ began with Dandi Yatra in 2021, with people holding programmes in every district, in every corner of India, he said: “An attempt was made in every corner of India to remember all those great men who did not find mention in history for some reasons or who were forgotten. Today, the nation found out all such heroes and great men from every corner of the country and paid tributes to them for their sacrifices.
Stressing that India’s journey of 75 years witnessed several achievements, Modi said today is an opportunity to recall the contributions made by those who dedicated their lives for the country during the last 75 years, those who protected the country and fulfilled the country’s resolutions; be it the army personnel, police personnel, bureaucrats, public representatives, administrators of the local self-government, state administration or central administration, he said.
“Today we must also recall the contributions made by the crores of citizens of the country who have done everything possible to take the country forward despite various challenges in 75 years,” Modi said, adding that India, as the mother of all democracy, has proven to all that the country has this invaluable strength.
Pointing out that every citizen of the country wants to see change but is not ready to wait, he said, “…and hence the first dawn of this ‘Amrit Kaal’ has brought a huge golden opportunity for us to fulfil the aspirations of that aspiration society”.
Taking pride in the country’s growth over the years, Modi said, “The world has started searching for solutions to the problems on the soil of India. This change in the world, this change in the thinking of the world, is the result of our experienced journey of 75 years… My countrymen have a major role in awakening this trust of the world in India”.
“We started our journey with the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, but gradually the countrymen have added more colours to it with Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas. So, we have seen our collective power and collective potential,” Modi said.
The prime minister explained that Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is being celebrated with the campaign to build 75 Amrit Sarovars in every district today. People from every village are joining the campaign and offering their services, he said, adding that people are running a massive campaign for water conservation in their respective villages.
Taking about the nationwide Covid vaccination drive, Modi said, “When the world was in a dilemma, this is the country which crossed the target of 200 crore vaccinations in a time-bound manner and broke all the previous records".
The prime minister said the country has also moved towards bio-oil and realized the dream of 10 per cent ethanol blending before time, he said, adding that today the country is providing electricity connection to 2.5 crore people and water from tap to the homes of lakhs of families.
He also expressed hope that the new National Education Policy will provide strength to the country to be free from slavery.
Also speaking about Digital India, he pointed out that the pool of talent living in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, or in villages and belongs to poor families are coming before the world today with new discoveries. He also said that India’s yoga, Ayurveda and India’s holistic lifestyle are the country’s legacy to the world.
“We are the people who see the divine in the plants. We are the people who consider the river as mother. We are those people who see Shankar in every stone. This is our power. We see every river as a form of mother. Such enormity of the environment is our pride! When we are proud of such heritage, the world too will feel proud of it”.
Pointing out the peaceful co-existence of innumerable traditions and creeds as India’s pride, he said, “No one is inferior or superior; all are our own. This feeling of oneness is important for unity”.
As for the first time after 75 years, the Made in India cannon saluted the Tricolor from the Red Fort, Modi said, “I salute the way the army jawans have shouldered this responsibility of self-reliance in an organized way and with courage. The resolution of our country is not small when the armed forces make a list and decide not to import 300 defence products”.
Speaking of the PLI scheme, he said people from around the world are coming to India to try their luck.
Stressing that the country has to dominate the world, Modi said, “We should be self-reliant in the field of solar energy, wind energy, various renewable energy sources and must lead in terms of Mission Hydrogen, bio fuel and electric vehicles”. He also said that natural farming and chemical-free farming can give a boost to self-reliance.
Touching upon several aspects, including corruption, Modi said, “The corrupt are eating away the country like termites. I have to fight against it, intensify the fight and have to take it to a decisive point. So, my 130 crore countrymen, please bless me and support me! Today I have come to seek your support and cooperation so that I can fight this battle. I hope the country becomes victorious in this war.
“…I urge the countrymen to start the ‘Amrit Kaal’ today by nurturing new possibilities, realizing new resolutions and moving ahead with confidence. The “Amrit Mahotsav’ of freedom has moved in the direction of ‘Amrit Kaal’ and, therefore, ‘Sabka Prayas’ (everyone’s efforts) is necessary in this ‘Amrit Kaal’. The spirit of Team India is going to take the country forward. This Team India of 130 crore countrymen will realize all the dreams by moving forward as a team.”
