New Delhi [India], August 15 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered his 12th consecutive Independence Day address from the Red Fort on Friday, emphasizing India’s unwavering commitment to national security and farmers’ rights.
In his speech, he declared that India will assert full control over its share of river waters, describing the Indus Water Treaty as “an injustice” that had deprived Indian farmers while benefiting the neighbouring country.
He stressed that compromises on farmers’ and national interests “are not acceptable… not anymore.”
With this being PM Modi’s 12th address on Independence Day, he has given more consecutive addresses than former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who gave 11 consecutive addresses and 16 in total.
In his speech PM Modi said, “Bharat has decided that blood and water will not flow together. The Indus Water Treaty was an injustice to the people of India. The rivers of India were irrigating the enemy country while our own farmers were deprived of water. Now, the right over India’s share of water belongs only to India and its farmers.”
“The people of our country have clearly understood how unjust and one-sided the Indus agreement is. The waters of rivers originating in India have been irrigating the fields of our enemies, while the farmers and the land of my own country remain thirsty without water. This was such an agreement that has caused unimaginable damage to the farmers of my country for the last seven decades. Now, the right over the water belongs only to the farmers of India,” he added.
On national security, the Prime Minister warned against nuclear threats, reflecting on the April 22 Pahalgam massacre.
PM Modi said, “Entire India was outraged, and the entire world was shocked by such a massacre (Pahalgam)… Operation Sindoor is the expression of that outrage… Destruction in Pakistan is so massive that new revelations are being made every day and new information is coming out daily.”
“I am very proud that from the ramparts of the Red Fort, I am getting the opportunity to salute the heroes of Operation Sindoor. Our brave jawans punished the enemy beyond its imagination. On 22nd April, terrorists from across the border came to Pahalgam and killed people after asking their religion. Entire India was outraged, and the entire world was shocked by such a massacre. Operation Sindoor is the expression of that outrage,” he added.
PM Modi further said, “After the 22nd April, we gave a free hand to our armed forces. They decide the strategy, target and time. Our Forces did what had never been done for several decades. We entered hundreds of kilometres into the enemy soil and razed their terrorist HQ to the ground. Destruction in Pakistan is so massive that new revelations are being made every day and new information is coming out daily.”
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the tricolor at Red Fort, as the nation marked the celebration of the 79th Independence Day.
Flying Officer Rashika Sharma assisted the Prime Minister in hoisting the flag, after which flower petals were showered from two Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force — one carrying the national flag and the other ‘Operation Sindoor’ flag. Wing Commander Vinay Poonia and Wing Commander Aditya Jaiswal piloted the aircraft.
PM Modi was received at the Red Fort by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, MoS Sanjay Seth, and the Chiefs of the three services. The Prime Minister also received the ceremonial guard of honour by the National Flag Guard, the Indian Air Force, Army, Navy, and Delhi Police, totaling up to 128 people. Wing Commander Arun Nagar led the interservices guard of honour.
Ahead of reaching the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Rajghat in the national capital and paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi as the country marked its 79th Independence Day.
This year’s celebrations carry the theme ‘Naya Bharat,’ reflecting the government’s vision of achieving ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.
Upon his arrival at the Red Fort, the Prime Minister will be received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, MoS Defence Sanjay Seth and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
A total of 2,500 cadets from the Army, Navy and Air Force, along with ‘My Bharat’ volunteers, are seated on Gyanpath, opposite the Rampart, forming the ‘Naya Bharat’ logo. (ANI)
“Broke wall of Article 370, accepted mantra of One Nation, One Constitution”: PM Modi
New Delhi [India], August 15 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave his 12th Independence Day address to the nation on Friday, highlighting how the songs and slogans of freedom are echoing across the country, whether it is the deserts, Himalayan peaks, or densely populated cities.
With this being PM Modi’s 12th address on Independence Day, he has given more consecutive addresses than former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who gave 11 consecutive addresses and 16 in total.
During his address, the Prime Minister hailed the abrogation of Article 370, saying how the mantra of ‘One Nation, One Constitution” was accepted.
“When we brought the mantra of one country, one constitution to life by demolishing the wall of Article 370, when we accepted one nation, one Constitution as the mantra, then we revered Shyama Prasad Mookherjee. There are members of Panchayats from far-flung villages, representatives of Drone Didi, representatives of Lakhpati Didi, people from the world of sports, great people who have given something or the other to the nation and life are present here. In a way, I am seeing a miniature India here in front of my eyes. And today, the Red Fort is also connected with India through technology,” PM Modi said.
PM Modi also mentioned that the 125th jayanti of Shyama Prasad Mookherjee, former union minister, and founder of Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the predecessor of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This celebration honours his “lasting impact on India’s political, educational, and cultural fabric.”
“Today we are celebrating the 125th jayanti of Dr Syama Prasad Mookherjee. Dr Syama Prasad Mookherjee is the first person to give his life for India’s Constitution. Sacrifice for the Constitution,” he added.
Praising how every Indian is carrying the tricolor with them today, PM Modi mentioned, “Over 140 crore Indians are carrying the colours of tricolor. Har Ghar Tirangana in every corner of country whether it is the deserts, Himalayan peaks, the edges of the sea, or densely populated cities. Everywhere there is one song, one slogan, the praises of our motherland are heard.”
The success of Operation Sindoor will be celebrated during the I-Day celebrations this year. The view cutter at Gyanpath will have the Operation Sindoor logo, accompanied by floral arrangements themed around the operation.
Approximately 5,000 special guests, from different walks of life, have been invited to witness the celebrations at the Red Fort this year, including the Indian contingent of Special Olympics 2025, the winners of international sports events, the Gold Medalists of Khelo India Para Games, and the best-performing farmers trained & financially assisted under the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission.
To promote patriotic fervour among citizens and to celebrate the victory of Operation Sindoor, a number of band performances will be conducted pan-India for the first time on the evening of Independence Day celebrations.
The performances will be conducted by the bands of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Indian Coast Guard, NCC, CRPF, ITBP, CISF, SSB, BSF, IDS, RPF and Assam Rifles at over 140 prominent locations throughout the country.
In August 2019, the Central government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, repealed Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, effectively ending the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcating the state into two Union Territories — Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. (ANI)
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