15 August,2026 12:17 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation during the 8oth Independence Day celebrations, at Red Fort in New Delhi, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (PICS/PTI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address from the Red Fort on Saturday, appealed to all political parties to support the implementation of the women's reservation law and ensure 33 per cent representation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies.
Calling for the issue to be kept above political differences, Modi urged parties to work towards giving women a greater role in shaping the country's policies.
He said the matter had remained stuck for decades because of political disagreements and appealed to political parties to move ahead on the issue.
In his 75-minute address, Modi also declared that India had made significant progress in eliminating armed Naxalism but cautioned against lowering its guard.
The prime minister said that while armed Naxals had been eliminated from the forests, people with what he described as a "dimagi Naxal" mindset continued to pose a challenge.
He alleged that individuals holding such an ideology had entrenched themselves in positions of influence and could attempt to push society in what he described as the wrong direction.
Modi called on the youth to remain connected with the mainstream effort to build a developed India and urged citizens to identify and isolate such elements.
The prime minister outlined a broad development roadmap based on seven key streams, covering areas including manufacturing, energy, agriculture and food processing, technology and innovation, infrastructure and connectivity, defence, the green and blue economies, and India's soft power.
He said strengthening these sectors would help India move towards its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
Modi also stressed the importance of building domestic capabilities in strategic sectors and reducing India's dependence on foreign supply chains.
The prime minister called for India to become a global hub for defence manufacturing and develop advanced technologies domestically.
He specifically highlighted capabilities such as hypersonic technology and drone systems as areas where greater self-reliance was needed.
Energy security also featured prominently in his speech. Modi said geopolitical tensions and the weaponisation of resources and strategic sea routes had highlighted the risks associated with dependence on overseas supplies.
He called for stronger domestic capacity in energy and critical minerals.
Modi said India had taken steps towards greater self-reliance in nuclear energy, pointing to the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu, which attained criticality this year.
He said the government had set a target of achieving 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047, while also planning five new nuclear reactors.
The prime minister said the country's energy security would be critical to achieving its long-term development ambitions.
Addressing concerns among young people and families over the high cost of coaching, Modi announced plans to provide free online coaching for various competitive examinations.
He said coaching had become a financial burden for many poor and middle-class families and that online alternatives could help students prepare for exams without having to move away from their families or spend large amounts of money.
India eyes 2036 Olympics
Modi also said India was a strong contender to host the 2036 Olympics.
He announced plans for a nationwide talent identification programme targeting children between five and 15 years of age.
The initiative, he said, would help identify sporting talent and encourage India to compete in disciplines where it has traditionally had a limited presence.
Highlighting what he described as India's economic progress over the past 12 years, Modi said the country had moved from the "Fragile Five" to becoming the world's fastest-growing major economy.
He said India must continue to dream big and work towards becoming a developed country by 2047.
The prime minister also emphasised the importance of resilience during global crises, referring to the COVID-19 pandemic and the West Asia crisis.
He said India had been able to maintain supplies of essential commodities such as fuel, gas and urea because of measures aimed at strengthening self-reliance.
Concluding the broader message of his Independence Day address, Modi urged Indians to set ambitious goals and contribute towards building a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
He paid tribute to freedom fighters, including Mahatma Gandhi, and remembered their sacrifices in India's independence struggle.
Modi also noted the significance of Vande Mataram being heard from the Red Fort on Independence Day, while calling on citizens to carry forward the country's development journey with confidence and self-reliance.
(With inputs from PTI)
