New Delhi [India], August 15 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the national flag today as the nation marks its 77th Independence Day. Earlier the prime minister took to his social media app ‘X’ to greet the country.
“Best wishes on Independence Day. We pay homage to our great freedom fighters and reaffirm our commitment to fulfilling their vision. Jai Hind!,” the Prime Minister wrote. Upon his arrival at the Red Fort, PM Modi was received by Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, Raksha Rajya Mantri, Ajay Bhatt, and Defence Secretary, Giridhar Aramane.
The Defence Secretary introduced the General Officer Commanding (GoC), Delhi Area, Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth to the Prime Minister. The GoC Delhi Area conducted Narendra Modi to the Saluting Base where a combined Inter-Services and Delhi Police Guard presented a general salute to the Prime Minister. Thereafter, the Prime Minister inspected the Guard of Honour.
The Guard of Honour contingent for the PM consists of one officer and 25 personnel each from the Army, Air Force and Delhi Police and one officer and 24 personnel from the Navy, according to an official release. After hoisting the flag PM Modi began his customary address to the nation from the ramparts of the iconic monument. PM Modi’s address from the ramparts marked his 10th Independence Day speech.
Around 1,800 people from different walks of life and from all across the country have been invited as special guests to the main celebratory event in the national capital. This year’s Independence Day will culminate the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations, which were launched by the Prime Minister from Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on March 12, 2021, and will, once again, usher the country into ‘Amrit Kaal’ with renewed vigour to realise PM Modi’s dream of making India a developed country by 2047. The Indian Army is the coordinating service this year.
The Guard of Honour was commanded by Major Vikas Sangwan. The Army Contingent in the Prime Minister’s Guard was commanded by Major Indrajeet Sachin, the Naval contingent by Lieutenant Commander MV Rahul Raman and the Air Force contingent by Squadron Leader Akash Ganghas. The Delhi Police contingent was commanded by Additional DCP Sandhya Swami.
After inspecting the Guard of Honour, PM Modi proceeded to the ramparts of the Red Fort where he will be greeted by Raksha Mantri, Rajnath Singh, Raksha Rajya Mantri Ajay Bhatt, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar, and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, the Ministry said.
The GoC, Delhi area conducted the Prime Minister to the dais on the ramparts to hoist the National Flag. After being hoisted, the Tricolour received a ‘Rashtriya Salute’. The Army band, consisting of one JCO and 20 Other Ranks, played the National Anthem during the hoisting of the National Flag and presenting of the ‘Rashtriya Salute’. The Band was conducted by Naib Subedar Jatinder Singh. Major Nikita Nair and Major Jasmine Kaur assisted the PM in hoisting the National Flag.
There was a synchronised with the 21 Gun Salute by the valiant gunners of the elite 8711 Field Battery (Ceremonial). The ceremonial battery was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Vikas Kumar and the Gun Position Officer will be Naib Subedar (AIG) Anoop Singh. The National Flag Guard comprising five officers and 128 other ranks from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Delhi Police presented Rashtriya Salute at the time of the hoisting of the national flag by PM Modi. Major Abhinav Detha from the Army was in command of this Inter-Services Guard and Police Guard.
The Army Contingent in the National Flag Guard was commanded by Major Mukesh Kumar Singh, the Naval contingent by Lieutenant Commander Harpreet Mann and the Air Force Contingent by Squadron Leader Shrey Chawdhary. The Delhi Police contingent was commanded by Additional DCP Shashank Jaiswal, according to an official release.
As soon as the national flag was hoisted by the Prime Minister, flower petals was showered at the venue by two Advanced Light Helicopters Mark-III Dhruv of the Indian Air Force in the Line Astern Formation. The captains of the helicopter were Wing Commander Amber Agarwal and Squadron Leader Himanshu Sharma. (ANI)
Decisions taken today will decide direction, future of country for 1000 years: PM Modi
New Delhi [India], August 15 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that decisions taken by the country today and the work done will impact its future for 1000 years. Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 77th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that there is a tremendous opportunity before the country due to the trinity of democracy, demography and diversity.
He said India faced a struggle for several centuries before it gained Independence in 1947. “I am talking about the last 1000 years because I see that there is opportunity before the country once again. What we do in this era, the steps we take, and the decisions we take one after the other will decide the direction, future of the country in the coming 1000 years,” he said.
“Today, we have demography, democracy and diversity – these three together have the ability to realise the dreams of the nation. The trinity of demography, democracy and diversity has the power to realise the dreams of the nation,” he added.
In his 10th consecutive Independence Day speech Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced the launch of the Vishwakarma Yojana with an initial spending of Rs 13,000-Rs 15,000 crore in the next month for those with traditional skills.
Addressing the country from the ramparts of the iconic Red Fort, the prime minister said, “The government will launch ‘Vishwakarma scheme‘ with an allocation of Rs 13,000 to 15,000 crore in the next month for those with traditional skills.”
Vishwakarma Scheme was announced in the Budget 2023.
The PM Vishwakarma Scheme aims at improve the quality, scale and reach of products and services of artisans and craftspeople and to integrate them with the domestic and global value chain. This would result in the economic empowerment of such workers, especially those belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Communities, women, transgender and other weaker sections of the society.
The scheme will be launched in September on the Vishwakarma Jayanti. Vishwakarma Jayanti falls on September 17, 2023. Meanwhile, in his address to the nation from Red Fort, the Prime Minister emphasised the significant role of women in making the country embrace new heights of development.
“I want to thank the mothers, sisters and daughters of my country for their capability. I pay my deep regards to our parivaarjans, our farmers, our labourers… Our professionals, be they scientists, engineers, nurses, teachers or professors, everyone is giving their best to ensure a bright future for Maa Bharti,” the PM said.
“Women scientists are leading Chandrayaan mission,” PM Modi emphasises on importance of women-led development
Addressing countrymen from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 77th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday laid emphasis on the importance of women-led development and stated that today women scientists are leading the Chandrayaan mission. “The one thing that will take the country forward is women-led development. Today, we can proudly say that India has the maximum number of pilots in civil aviation. Women scientists are leading the Chandrayaan mission,” PM Modi said. “I want to tell the mothers, sisters and daughters that today the country has progressed due to the power of you all,” he said.
The G20 countries are also recognising the importance of women-led development,” he added. With the launch of Chandrayaan-3, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is embarking to achieve a successful soft landing on the Moon. India aims to become the fourth country in the world to achieve this feat, joining the ranks of the United States, Russia, and China.
Chandrayaan-3 is India’s third lunar mission and second attempt at achieving a soft landing on the Moon’s surface. It is a follow-on to the unsuccessful 2019 lunar mission – Chandrayaan-2. It will demonstrate India’s end-to-end capability in safe landing and roving on the lunar surface. The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft, which was launched on GSLV Mark 3 (LVM 3) heavy-lift launch vehicle successfully from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota on July 14, is scheduled to land on the surface of the moon on August 23.
The spacecraft has recently covered about two-thirds of the distance to the Moon and is currently undergoing a series of orbit manoeuvres. (ANI)
“More than Rs 100 lakh cr given to states for their development in last 9 years”: PM Modi
New Delhi [India], August 15 (ANI): Listing out the achievements of his government over the last nine years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that over Rs 100 lakh crore have been given to states under his tenure and in contrast to the Rs 30 lakh crore given to them prior to 2014, when he was voted to power.
Addressing the 77th Independence Day celebrations at the historic Red Fort, the prime minister Modi said,”Before 2014, Rs 30 lakh crore were given to states for development. In the last 9 years, we have given more than Rs 100 lakh crore to the states. Before 2014, for housing of the poor Rs 90,000 crore were spent, under our government it has crossed Rs 4 lakh crore. Our government is spending more than Rs 10 lakh crore so that our farmers can get subsidised urea.”
PM Modi said it is ‘Modi’s gaurantee’ that In coming years, India will be counted amongst the top three economies. The prime minister lauded the country’s economic growth under his tenure and said that India has become the fifth-largest economy in the world with the contributions made by the people of the nation.
“When we came to power in 2014, we were in the 10th position in the global economic system. Today, with the efforts of 140 crore Indians, we have reached the fifth position, This did not happen just like that. The demon of corruption that had the country in its clutches -we stopped leakages and created a strong economy,” PM Modi said.
PM Modi says borders “far more secure”, calls for young, battle-ready armed forces
New Delhi [India], August 15 (ANI): Addressing countrymen from the ramparts of the Red Fort for the 10th time since taking the country’s highest office in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the borders were “far more secure than ever before”. He also underlined the need for “mega reforms” in the Indian armed forces.
“Today our borders are far more secure. I extend my heartfelt wishes to my jawans, who are patrolling, keeping vigil, and securing our borders, as well as other security forces on our 77th Independence Day,” PM Modi said. Underlining the need to usher in urgent reforms in the armed forces in view of evolving security challenges, PM Modi said, “Our armed forces should be young and battle-ready. They should be skilled and equipped to wage wars. The process to bring in reforms in the armed forces is already underway.”
The remarks assume significance as India has been locked in a protracted military standoff with China since May 2020 when troopers of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) allegedly tried to alter the status quo of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) at Galwan Valley in Arunachal Pradesh.
Indian troops thwarted a similar alleged misadventure by the Chinese forces at Yang Tse near Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh in December 2022. Before addressing fellow countrymen on the 77th Independence Day, PM Modi paid floral tributes at the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat.
Earlier, on Tuesday, PM Modi was received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other dignitaries on his arrival at the Red Fort and he began his customary address to the nation after raising the tricolour.
“Best wishes on Independence Day. We pay homage to our great freedom fighters and reaffirm our commitment to fulfilling their vision. Jai Hind!,” Prime Minister Modi posted on X, formerly Twitter, before arriving at the Red Fort.
This year’s Independence Day will culminate the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations, which were launched by Prime Minister Modi from Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on March 12, 2021, and will usher the country into ‘Amrit Kaal’. (ANI)
“India of today doesn’t stop, tire, gasp or give up”: PM Modi in 10th I-Day address
New Delhi [India], August 15 (ANI): Putting forward his vision of a new and more assertive India during his 10th address from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 77th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the India of today was full of self-confidence.
“When we set our mind to a task, we get it done. This has been our track record. This is a new India full of self-confidence…Ye Bharat na rukta hai, na thakta hai, na haanfta hai aur na hi haarta hai (The India of today doesn’t stop, tire, gasp or give up),” PM Modi said
He said the character of India will serve as the biggest catalyst in her quest to become a developed country by 2047, which would mark the completion of 100 years of independence). “In the next 25 years, we must move forward with the mantra of unity,” PM Modi added.
On the new Parliament building, PM Modi said earlier, there used to be discussions around it but it was his government that got it done. “For 25 years, the new Parliament building was only in the realm of discussions across the country. Ye Modi hai, samay ke pehle Sansad banakar ke rakh diya (But this is Modi, we delivered the new Parliament building ahead of schedule). This is a government that works to meet goals that it sets for itself,” PM Modi added.
Earlier, on May 28, PM Modi inaugurated the new Parliament building equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Earlier, both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha passed resolutions urging the government to construct a new Parliament building. Consequently, on December 10, 2020, the foundation stone for the new building of Parliament was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
