New Delhi: Self-reliance and indigeneity will be ideas central to all programmes on India’s 77th Independence day Tuesday, which will round up the year-long ‘Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ — celebrations to mark 75 years of freedom — and usher in the ‘Azaadi Ka Amrit Kaal’, a period till 2047 when India will see “incredible development in all directions”, according to the present government.
Officially, the theme for the day is ‘Nation First, Always First’.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver his tenth consecutive Independence Day address from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort, and is expected to spell out his government’s achievements, as the ruling party steps on the gas before the 2024 general elections.
This year, indigenous helicopters will shower petals on the event rather than the Russian-origin Mi-17s, carrying forward last year’s motif when HAL guns roared instead of British-era cannons for the customary salute.
Around 1,800 special guests are attending the address, including sarpanches, khadi workers, school teachers, nurses and a bipartisan delegation of US lawmakers, led by Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna and Congressman Michael Waltz.
Continuing from last year, the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ — the government’s appeal to hoist the tricolour in every home — has boosted the nationalistic fervour, with the textile ministry shipping nearly 2.5 crore flags to the country’s post offices, a significant jump from 2022’s one crore.
And to digitise the “emotional connect” every citizen has with the tricolour, the culture ministry has invited them to take a selfie and post it on a government website — an initiative that checks off another much-vaunted thrust of the government, digital penetration.
Here are the live updates:
09.10: Balloons in the colours of the Tiranga were released after Prime Minister Modi concluded his address.
#WATCH | Balloons in the colours of the Tiranga released, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi concludes his address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi.#IndependenceDay2023 pic.twitter.com/2r0Hev9GoX
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2023
09.05: In his closing address, Modi stated that during next year’s Independence Day celebration, he will stand before the country at the Red Fort and present the nation’s “achievements and developments.”
#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi says, "In 2019, on the basis of performance, you blessed me once again…The next five years are for unprecedented development. The biggest golden moment to realise the dream of 2047 is the coming five years. The next time, on 15th August, from this Red… pic.twitter.com/PtwL73Sahg
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2023
09.00: In a scathing attack, Modi said that dynastic politics and appeasement have ‘destroyed’ the country. He questioned, “how can a political party have only one family in charge?”
#WATCH | PM Modi speaks on dynastic politics during his Independence Day speech
"Today, 'parivarvaad' and appeasement has destroyed our country. How can a political party have only one family in charge? For them their life mantra is- party of the family, by the family and for… pic.twitter.com/xxmumTCc4Z
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2023
08.45: Modi said that the Vibrant Border Villages were once referred to as the last villages of the country, but that mindset has changed. “They are not the last villages in the country. What you can witness at the borders is the first village in my country… I am delighted that the special guests of this event are 600 Pradhans of these border villages.”
#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi says, "…The Vibrant Border Villages were called the last villages of the country. We changed that mindset. They are not the last villages in the country. What you can see at the borders is the first village in my country…I am delighted that special… pic.twitter.com/Np9PC2ODDp
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2023
08.36: Modi noted that the one factor that propels the country forward is “women-led development.” He highlighted that India takes pride in having the highest number of pilots in civil aviation and in witnessing women scientists spearheading the Chandrayaan mission.
#WATCH | PM Modi on the importance of women-led development
"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.… pic.twitter.com/yL9dvTeOW3
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2023
08.40: PM Modi, in his speech, guaranteed that India will be among the top three economies in the world in the next five years.
#WATCH | It is Modi’s guarantee that India will be among the top three economies in the world in the next 5 years, says PM Modi on #IndependenceDay2023 pic.twitter.com/kMRVpyVoCv
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2023
08.20: Modi stated that upon assuming power in 2014, the global economic ranking of India was positioned at 10th place. He emphasised that the collective efforts of 140 crore Indians have effectively propelled the nation to its current fifth position.
#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi says, "When we came to power in 2014, we were at 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… pic.twitter.com/gkSrKfFxvg
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2023
07.50: PM Modi said that the “country stands with the people of Manipur,” and he noted that both the Centre and state governments are making all efforts to find a resolution.
#WATCH | PM Modi appeals for peace in Manipur from the ramparts of the Red Fort on 77th Independence Day
"The country stands with the people of Manipur…Resolution can be found through peace only. The Centre and the State government is making all efforts to find resolution." pic.twitter.com/TbQr0iopY6
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2023
07.40: Modi referred to India as the largest democracy in the world and mentioned that “140 crore members of my family are celebrating” Independence Day today.
#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "The largest democracy of the world and now also the leading country in terms of population. Such a large country, 140 crore members of my family are celebrating #IndependenceDay today." pic.twitter.com/DFVh34wyNh
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2023
07.35: Prime Minister hoists the national flag from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi.
#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoists the National Flag at the Red Fort in Delhi, on #IndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/lO3SRCM7kZ
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2023
07.33: Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter showers flower petals after hoisting of the Tricolour by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the 77th Independence Day.
#WATCH | IAF helicopter showers flower petals after flag hoisting by PM Modi at Red Fort on the 77th Independence Day pic.twitter.com/XzDWx1CqPZ
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2023