PM Modi Hoists National Flag at Red Fort on 80th Independence Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the national flag at the Red Fort as part of the 80th Independence Day celebrations and received the guard of honour from the armed forces and Delhi Police. He also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. The celebrations featured the official rendition of Vande Mataram at the Red Fort for the first time, along with a human formation depicting its shape and a helicopter showering flower petals.

Addressing the nation, PM Modi said the country’s independence was the result of the sacrifices of countless freedom fighters. He said India has made rapid progress over the past 12 years, with 25 crore people moving out of poverty and defence production increasing fourfold. He stressed self-reliance, Vocal for Local, stronger public transport, railway electrification, metro expansion, semiconductor manufacturing, critical mineral security, energy security and new nuclear power plants. He said India has overcome challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and wars and will continue moving forward with the goal of achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047.