Independence Day 2026 Highlights: PM Modi Makes Strong Pitch For Atmanirbharta And Energy Security

The full Vande Mataram, was played at 80th Independence Day celebrations held at Congress headquarters on Saturday. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, CPP chairperson Sonia Gandhi and LoP Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and others were present on the occasion.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday called on people to strengthen India's independence by making the country happy, prosperous, and secure so that the country becomes "Vishwaguru", noting that many people and forces are working against this goal.

"Self-reliance will pave the way for India to become Viksit Bharat. We must become self-reliant and protect our interests. Today, every Indian is getting connected with initiatives of Make in India, Swadeshi, Vocal for Local," says PM Narendra Modi.

Independence Day Live Updates: Addressing the nation from the iconic ramparts of the Red Fort on India's 80th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a firm message of national resilience, economic foresight, and ambitious growth.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called for a collective effort to make India drug-free, urging families to join the 100-day nationwide Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan.

Independence Day Live Updates: “Naxalism had drenched the earth in blood," PM Modi said, recalling the BJP-led government’s arrival in power in 2014. He said the government had then pledged to free the country from Naxalism. The prime minister said areas once known for Naxalite violence were now witnessing development and a greater sense of trust. “Where once Naxalite bullets were fired, where once the earth used to be blood-stained, today in those very Naxal regions… the tricolour of development, trust, and effort is flying," he said.

Independence Day Live Updates: From the ramparts of the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "We are standing tall and moving forward, relying on our own strength. Everyone has been affected by global crises, and we are no exception. Globally, the price of a single sack of urea soared to Rs 3000. Yet, we are not forcing the farmers of our country to bear that burden. The government is shouldering that cost itself; we provide urea to our farmers for just Rs 300 a sack, even though we procure it from the global market at three thousand rupees. Not only that, the market price of DAP globally has reached Rs 5000. Yet, to ensure the farmers of my country face no hardship, we continue to provide DAP at Rs 1350.",

#WATCH | Delhi: From the ramparts of the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "We are standing tall and moving forward, relying on our own strength. Everyone has been affected by global crises, and we are no exception. Globally, the price of a single sack of urea soared… pic.twitter.com/QnSgIeNI3Z, — ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2026

Independence Day Live Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi waved to and shook hands with youth gathered at the Red Fort before leaving the venue after the Independence Day celebrations.

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VIDEO | PM Modi (@narendramodi) waves to and shakes hands with youth gathered at the Red Fort before leaving the venue.

(Source: Narendra Modi YT)#IndependenceDay

(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/d8jp61yd2p) pic.twitter.com/9ba18wiibs, — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 15, 2026

Independence Day Live Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India should aim to compete in every sporting event at the 2036 Olympics.

Independence Day Live Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced seven key focus areas for India's development, describing them as “Shakti ki Sapt Dhara”, from the ramparts of the Red Fort.

The seven areas are manufacturing, agriculture and food processing, technology and innovation, Gati-Shakti, Raksha Shakti, the green and blue economy, and India's soft power.

Independence Day 2026 Live Updates: "In the last 12 years, defence production has increased nearly fourfold, while output from Khadi and village industries has grown almost fivefold. Electronics manufacturing has expanded nearly sevenfold. The production of modern railway coaches has risen 21-fold, and mobile phone production has surged 33-fold. Beyond that, we have made our mark in the realms of digital technology and innovation. The number of internet users has nearly quadrupled, patent grants have increased fourfold, and digital transactions have grown a hundredfold. We have worked with equal seriousness to improve amenities for the common citizen. We have provided tap-water connections at an average annual rate 15 times faster than before. Gas connections have been provided at six times the previous annual speed," says PM Modi. ,

#WATCH | Delhi: From the ramparts of the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "In the last 12 years, defence production has increased nearly fourfold, while output from Khadi and village industries has grown almost fivefold. Electronics manufacturing has expanded nearly… pic.twitter.com/fTTFbuHYvM, — ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2026

Independence Day 2026 Live Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India must not remain dependent on other countries and must strengthen its capabilities to protect its national interests.

Calling for an Atmanirbhar Bharat, PM Modi said the country is moving forward with the resolve of self-reliance. PM also said every Indian is connected with the Make in India, Swadeshi and Vocal for Local movements.

Independence Day Live Updates: From the ramparts of the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "... Over the past 12 years, countless citizens—whether Dalits, the downtrodden, the marginalised, or tribals; whether rural or urban dwellers; the poor or the middle class; youth or the elderly; women or men; from the North, South, East, or West—have all strived in every possible way, with unwavering resolve and dedication, to propel the nation to new heights. I respectfully acknowledge these efforts."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day speech, said India has turned “no-go areas” into “go-ahead areas” and stressed the need to strengthen the country’s energy security.

Delivering his Independence Day address, PM Modi says, "Today, India has a big dream to become a developed nation by 2047. When the world's most populous country takes the resolution to become a developed nation, it becomes an introduction of our courage, and the world is compelled to look at us with a different perspective.",

Delivering his Independence Day address, PM Modi says, "Today, India has a big dream to become a developed nation by 2047. When the world's most populous country takes the resolution to become a developed nation, it becomes an introduction of our courage, and the world is… pic.twitter.com/bSF11dhgz6, — ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2026

Independence Day Live Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the world will be forced to look at India differently when the world's most populous country becomes a developed nation.

Independence Day Live Updates: Delivering his Independence Day address, PM Modi says, "In the last few days, some parts of the country have witnessed floods, which have affected many people. I assure the affected families that the whole country stands by them."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday addressed the nation from the ramparts of the iconic Red Fort in Delhi as India celebrated its 80th Independence Day. In a special first, National Song "Vande Mataram" was played for the first time at the

Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the 80th Independence Day with his signature flair, sporting a traditional tie-and-dye red turban for his 13th consecutive address to the nation from the historic ramparts of the Red Fort.

Nearly 5,000 special guests from different walks of life, including women entrepreneurs, young innovators, farmers and beneficiaries of various government schemes, are in attendance at the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort on Saturday.

 Independence Day 2026 Live Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the Guard of Honour as he arrived at the Red Fort to lead the 80th Independence Day celebrations.