Independence Day 2025 Live: From Red Fort, PM Modi announces: GST reforms to cut taxes this Diwali; new scheme for 3.5 crore jobs starts today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday delivered his longest Independence Day address yet, speaking for an impressive 103 minutes (1 hour 43 minutes) from the Red Fort ramparts. This surpassed his own previous record of 98 minutes (1 hour 38 minutes) set last year.
PM Modi first broke the record in 2015 with an 88-minute speech. For historical context, in 1947, India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, delivered a 72-minute Independence Day address.
#WATCH | Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi leaves from the ramparts of the Red Fort after hoisting the national flag and addressing the nation on 79th #IndependenceDay.
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2025
(Video Source: DD) pic.twitter.com/1T18rpcfAi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “When we talk about democracy and independent India, our Constitution has always been a source of inspiration. But 50 years ago, the Constitution was strangled during the Emergency. No generation should forget the wrongdoers who tried to destroy it. From this very Red Fort, I spoke about the Panch Pran, and I wish to recall it again. To build a developed India, we will neither bow nor stop; we will push the limits of hard work and ensure India becomes developed by 2047. We will leave no trace of slavery in our lives, systems, or traditions. We will take pride in our heritage, which forms the core of our identity. Unity is the most powerful mantra, and we pledge that no one will break the thread of unity."
"Serving Mother India is no less than worship or devotion. With this spirit, we dedicate ourselves to the welfare of the nation, striving tirelessly to achieve the goal of a developed India by 2047, creating new opportunities, and advancing with the strength of 140 crore citizens. We must remember: it is the toil in hard work that shapes history. Those who broke iron rocks turned the course of time, and now is the right time to turn it again. Heartiest wishes on this great festival of Independence. Jai Hind!”
On the occasion of Janmashtami, marking the birth of Lord Krishna, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reflected on how the nature of warfare has evolved over time. He said, “When I think of Lord Krishna, I also think about how warfare today has transformed globally. India has demonstrated its capability to tackle every new form of conflict. During Operation Sindur, we showcased our technological strength. When Pakistan targeted our military bases, airfields, defence installations, places of worship, and civilians, their missiles and drones were controlled and neutralised with precision. The nation witnessed how, thanks to a decade of consistent efforts, our armed forces and technology thwarted every attack without causing major damage.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Inspired by Lord Krishna, we have chosen the path of the Sudarshan Chakra. During the Mahabharata war, Lord Krishna used the Sudarshan Chakra to block sunlight and create darkness, enabling Arjuna to fulfill his vow to slay Jayadrath. Now, India will launch the Sudarshan Chakra Mission, a powerful defence system designed not only to neutralise enemy attacks but also to deliver precise counterstrikes. All core components of this modern system will be developed through domestic research and innovation by Indian citizens. Just like the Sudarshan Chakra, which always reached its intended target, this system will operate with accuracy. I pledge to move forward with full commitment on this mission.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “The nature of warfare is changing. Pakistan has carried out drone attacks on sensitive areas and religious sites, but our technology has neutralised each attack effortlessly. As technology expands on the battlefield, we must upgrade our expertise to ensure the safety of our people.”
He added, “I have made a resolve and seek your blessings. No matter how much prosperity we achieve, it is meaningless without security. In the next ten years, by 2035, all key strategic and critical centers of the country will be protected through advanced technology. Every citizen should feel safe, and if anyone attempts to attack, technology will keep us secure.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “We have succeeded in bringing change. Large tribal areas of the country were once devastated by Naxalism, with the biggest impact on tribal communities who lost their loved ones. At one point, Naxalism had rooted itself in over 125 districts, trapping tribal youth.”
He added, “Today, Naxalism has been reduced to just 20 districts. Bastar, once synonymous with the sound of bombs and guns, now sees its youth competing in the Olympics. The nation is witnessing this transformation. Areas once called the Red Corridor have now become the Green Corridor, where the flag of Constitution, development, and law proudly flies.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “We should take pride in all our languages. Manuscripts are treasure troves of knowledge. Under the Gyaan Bharat initiative, wherever manuscripts exist, we are using technology to preserve them so that they can benefit people. Our nation is built by the efforts of countless sages, farmers, workers, and soldiers.”
On the occasion of the RSS centenary, PM Modi said, “A century ago, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh was founded, dedicating itself to the motherland. Today, it stands as the world’s largest NGO. From the ramparts of the Red Fort, I salute all the volunteers of the RSS for their dedication.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Our nation is fortunate. Our strength lies in our diversity. We must make celebrating diversity a habit, as it is a great legacy and a matter of pride. At the Kumbh in Prayagraj, we saw how diversity is embraced, with unity in effort and purpose. The country is filled with diverse hopes and aspirations. Languages like Bengali, Marathi, Pali, and Prakrit have been accorded the status of classical languages, reflecting India’s rich cultural heritage.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “We want to prioritise underdeveloped regions. Thousands of crores of projects have been launched for the development of Eastern India. Development should happen in every aspect of life. There was a time when parents did not encourage children to play, but now parents support it—a positive sign. We have introduced the ‘Khelo Bharat’ policy to promote sports and are building a complete ecosystem to reach even children in remote areas. Obesity is becoming a national concern, and we must take steps to avoid it. Families should reduce oil consumption by 10%, which will help improve health and prevent obesity.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “The government should not remain confined to files; it should be present in people’s lives. Some believe government schemes existed before, but we ensure that these plans reach the ground. No deserving person should be left out, and the government should reach every household. Jan Dhan accounts gave common citizens the confidence that bank doors are open to them, and I too can visit a bank.”
He added, “Through Ayushman Bharat, we care for the health of senior citizens. Today, with PM Awas, four crore people have fulfilled their dream of owning a home. For street vendors, the PM SVANidhi scheme addresses every individual’s needs. Ground-level schemes become a powerful way to transform people’s lives.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “We all recognise the strength of women. Women are playing a vital role in driving the nation forward. Today, with pride, women are walking shoulder to shoulder in every sphere. For the first time, female cadets graduated from the NDA, filling the nation with pride. ‘NaMo Drone Didi’ has become a new identity. We had set a target to make 3 crore women ‘Lakhpati Didi,’ and we are on track to achieve it on time. So far, 2 crore women have become ‘Lakhpati Didi.’”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a major initiative for the nation’s youth. “On this 15th August, we are launching a Rs 1 lakh crore scheme for young Indians. Starting today, the Prime Minister’s Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana will be implemented. Boys and girls securing their first job in the private sector will receive Rs 15,000 from the government. This scheme will provide employment to 3.5 crore young people,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that a task force has been set up to drive next-generation reforms. “Our aim is comprehensive reform across all sectors. This Diwali, I am bringing a double celebration for the nation—a major gift for citizens. The time has come to review GST rates. We are introducing a next-generation GST reform, which will reduce taxes for common people. GST rates will be significantly lowered,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “It is our responsibility not to waste our energy trying to shorten someone else’s line. We must channel all our energy into making our own line longer. If we do that, the world will recognise our strength. Today, as economic self-interest grows globally, the need of the hour is not to sit and lament over challenges, but to bravely extend our own line. Once we choose this path, no selfish motive can trap us.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “I tell the youth of the nation—never let your ideas die. I stand with you and am ready to work as your partner. Those thinking about manufacturing, if you want changes in government rules, tell me. We do not want to waste even a single moment. When the government and I are with you, we can create new history. Friends, the National Manufacturing Mission is moving ahead at a rapid pace.”
At the Red Fort, India’s 79th Independence Day celebrations carried a distinct ‘Naya Bharat’ flavour. Guests were welcomed with gift bags boldly stamped with “Naya Bharat” (New India) and filled with carefully chosen items.
Inside the white jute bag were a monogrammed towel, a Tricolour-themed cap, a rain poncho for unexpected showers, and a water bottle — all perfectly aligned with the day’s theme of a confident, modern India that blends pride with preparedness.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “The world recognises the strength of our MSMEs. We aim to move towards comprehensive and integrated development. If we want to establish our prowess in the global market, we must reach new heights in quality, because the world demands quality. We must work on reducing the cost of our production. Our approach should be—lower prices, but greater value.”
#WATCH | Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "We have seen the wonders of Made in India in #OperationSindoor. Even the enemy was shocked at the kind of ammunition that was destroying them within seconds. Had we not been self-reliant, would we have been able to carry out… pic.twitter.com/Nx3BU1mCGv
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Women self-help groups have done remarkable work, and their products are now reaching global markets. I once spoke about toys in Mann Ki Baat, and today, my country has begun exporting them. When people are freed from all obstacles, they can achieve anything. Friends, never let your ideas die—they will guide future generations. Take the initiative. If government rules need to be changed, tell me. The year 2047 is not far; we do not want to waste even a single moment. This is an opportunity to move forward. The government and I are with you. Together, we can create new history.”
#WATCH | Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "... Viksit Bharat ka aadhar bhi hai Aatmanirbhar Bharat... If someone becomes too dependent on others, the very question of freedom starts to fade... Aatmanirbhar is not limited merely to imports, exports, rupees, pounds, or… pic.twitter.com/ZmP6uYoezm
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Everything needed for electric vehicles should be produced in our own country. During the Covid period, we were dependent on other nations for many essentials. After that, India’s youth created several of these products themselves. We developed our own vaccines. Today, millions of startups are powering the nation’s innovation. Through the Mudra Yojana, crores of young people, including daughters of the nation, are running their own businesses and empowering others to stand on their own feet.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Technology has helped some nations reach the very top. We are moving towards a ‘Samudra Manthan.’ The National Deep Water Mission will soon be launched, as vast reserves of gas and oil lie hidden in the ocean. We are also preparing for Mission Gaganyaan, with rapid progress being made in the space sector. We will build our own space station.”
He added, “From the ramparts of the Red Fort, I call upon the youth, engineers, and professionals of the nation—shouldn’t we have our own Made-in-India fighter jet engine? We must have one. Our fighter aircraft should run on engines made in India.”
#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi says, "Today, I urge the young scientists, talented youth, engineers, professionals and all departments of the Government that we should have our jet engines for our own Made in India fighter jets."
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2025
Video: DD pic.twitter.com/FEjtAqvktt
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Shouldn’t we put more strength into research and patents? I urge the youth to take steps with the Bio-3 approach in mind—we need your support. Today is the era of IT, and everything, including artificial intelligence, should be our own. The world has seen that 50% of transactions are now happening through UPI. Why should India’s wealth go abroad?”
He added, “We still depend on other countries for fertilisers. I want to tell the country’s industrial sector and private enterprises to fill our reserves with fertilisers. Produce our own fertilisers and stop relying on others.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has returned from the ISS. We are advancing in space on our own capabilities, and India will have its own space station—work on this is already underway. All 1.4 billion Indians are working with full strength to fulfil the vision of a developed India by 2047. Today, India is building a modern ecosystem in every sector, which will make us self-reliant in all fields. I call upon our young and talented youth, as well as every department, to ensure that we also have our own Made-in-India jet engine.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “For us, self-reliance in critical minerals is essential. Whether in defence, technology, or medicine, they play a crucial role. We have launched the National Critical Mission, with exploration underway at more than 1,200 locations. We are making significant progress in the field of critical minerals.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “We spend millions to import petrol, diesel, and gas from other countries. We took it upon ourselves to change this. In the past 11 years, solar energy production has increased 30-fold. We are building new dams to expand hydropower and ensure clean energy. Investments are being made in green hydrogen, and we are taking major initiatives in nuclear energy as well. Ten reactors are working at full speed, and we are moving forward with the resolve to increase nuclear energy production tenfold by 2047.”
#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi says, "...We are working on semiconductors on Mission Mode...By the end of this year, Made in India semiconductor chips, made by the people in India, will hit the market."
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2025
Video: DD pic.twitter.com/SM5oTOhjAO
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “On the strength of self-reliance, our armed forces continued their operations without pause. We set a goal of achieving self-reliance in defence, and the results are now visible. The 21st century is technology-driven, and nations that mastered technology have reached the top. When I speak about technological dimensions, I am not criticising any government. The idea of semiconductors was discussed in our country 50–60 years ago, but at that time, files got stuck, and the idea was aborted before it could take shape. Meanwhile, many countries mastered semiconductors and began to dominate the world. Today, we have freed ourselves from that burden and moved forward with semiconductor production. By the end of this year, ‘Made in India’ chips will be available in the country.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Many people sacrificed their lives for independence, driven by a single emotion—self-respect. Colonial rule left us impoverished and made us dependent, increasing our reliance on others. After independence, feeding millions was a challenge, but our farmers filled the nation’s granaries. The true measure of a nation’s self-respect is self-reliance, for a country overly dependent on others faces a serious question over its freedom.”
He added, “When dependency becomes a habit, it is no less than a danger. Self-reliance is not just about imports and exports—it is linked to our inherent strength. When that strength begins to diminish, our capabilities also weaken. To preserve, maintain, and enhance our power, self-reliance is essential. In Operation Sindoor, we witnessed the might of self-reliance—our enemy did not even know which weapons were destroying them.”
PM says India will no longer accept Indus Water Treaty
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “The country has realised that the Indus Water Treaty is not right. Our water is irrigating enemy land while our own soil remains parched. What kind of agreement was this, which has caused such harm to the nation for so many years? The waters of our rivers belong to India and to our farmers. What we have endured until now will no longer be tolerated. We do not accept this Indus Water Treaty.”
PM Modi expresses solidarity with people hit by natural disasters
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his support to those impacted by recent natural disasters, including landslides, cloudbursts, and other calamities, assuring that relief and rehabilitation efforts were underway with complete coordination between the Centre and state governments.
“In recent days, we have faced natural disasters such as landslides, cloudbursts, and several other calamities. Our thoughts are with the affected people. The state and central governments are working together with full dedication on rescue operations, relief measures, and rehabilitation efforts,” PM Modi said.
This year, 50 sanitation workers from Delhi were invited as special guests for the Independence Day celebrations. Five workers were selected from each zone of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), including three women and two men from every zone. Accompanied by their spouses, they attended the main ceremony at the Red Fort on August 15 at the invitation of the Ministry of Defence.
In addition, 85 village sarpanches from across the country were also invited as special guests in recognition of their contributions to rural transformation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “For decades, our nation has endured the scourge of terrorism, leaving deep wounds on its heart. We have established a new normal—we will not differentiate between terrorists and those who nurture and support them. India has resolved that it will no longer tolerate nuclear threats. Nuclear blackmail has been going on for a long time, but we will not endure it any longer. If our enemies continue such attempts in the future, the armed forces will decide the time, method, and targets—and we will act accordingly, giving a fitting response. India has also decided that blood and water will not flow together.”
PM says Pahalgam attack shocked the world
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said from the ramparts of the Red Fort, “Today, I had the honour to salute the brave soldiers of Operation Sindoor. These valiant warriors punished the enemies beyond their imagination. In Pahalgam, terrorists who crossed the border carried out a massacre—killing people after asking their religion, murdering them in front of their wives and children. The entire nation was filled with rage, and the whole world was shocked by this carnage.”
He added, “Operation Sindoor was the expression of that very outrage. After the 22nd, we gave our armed forces complete freedom—to decide the strategy, the targets, and the timing. Our soldiers accomplished what had not been done for decades—penetrating hundreds of km into enemy territory and reducing terrorist structures to rubble. Pakistan is still losing sleep over it.”
#WATCH | Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "In the past few days, we have been facing natural disasters, landslides, cloudbursts, and many other calamities. Our sympathies are with the affected people. State governments and the central government are working together with… pic.twitter.com/77SfhQEZp3
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “In 1947, the nation attained independence with limitless possibilities and the strength of millions of arms. Our aspirations were soaring, but the challenges were even greater. Guided by the principles of revered Bapu, members of the Constituent Assembly fulfilled their significant responsibilities. The Constitution of India has served as a beacon, showing the way forward.”
He added, “The framers of our Constitution included stalwarts like Rajendra Prasad, BR Ambedkar, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. Many learned women also played a vital role, and I bow to them all. Today, we also mark the 125th birth anniversary of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, the first man to sacrifice his life for the Constitution of India. By bringing down the wall of Article 370 and realising the vision of ‘One Nation, One Constitution,’ we have paid a true tribute to Dr. Mukherjee.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “My beloved countrymen, this grand festival of independence is a celebration of 140 pledges. It is a festival of collective achievements and pride. Our hearts are filled with joy, and the nation is strengthening the spirit of unity. All 1.4 billion citizens are draped in the colours of the Tricolour. From every home, the flag is flying high. From every corner of India—be it the Himalayas, the deserts, or the sea shores—there is one resounding echo: a tribute to our motherland, dearer to us than life itself.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the Tricolour at the Red Fort for the 12th time. During the flag hoisting ceremony, Flying Officer Rashika Sharma was present alongside the Prime Minister. Following this, the valiant gunners of the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial) fired a 21-gun salute. This ceremonial battery, which uses the indigenous 105mm Light Field Gun, was commanded by Major Pawan Singh Shekhawat, with Naib Subedar Anutosh Sarkar serving as the Gun Position Officer.
#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, in Delhi, on #IndependenceDay
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2025
(Video: DD) pic.twitter.com/3ecTwDdQXB
The nation is celebrating its 79th Independence Day today, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the festivities. Delivering his 12th consecutive Independence Day address from the historic Red Fort in Delhi, PM Modi hoisted the Tricolour and joined in singing the national anthem. The event was attended by thousands, including distinguished guests, senior government and defence officials, and prominent athletes. Elaborate security measures have been implemented to ensure smooth proceedings.
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- With inputs from agencies
