New Delhi: “Small dreams are no longer enough. We must dream big. Because big dreams expand our thinking and widen the horizon of our vision,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said.
On the occasion of the country’s 80th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the tricolor at Delhi’s Red Fort and addressed the nation. Some of what he said then: Today, the tricolor is in every home, and the tricolor is in every heart. On this Independence Day, I pay my tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and all the freedom fighters and revolutionaries who fought for the country’s independence.
This is a historic day. This is the moment when the song “Vande Mataram” echoes from the ramparts of the Red Fort after independence. Embracing new resolutions, the nation is moving forward with enthusiasm and excitement.
India has the grand dream of becoming a developed nation by 2047. When the world’s most populous country resolves to become a developed nation, it stands as a symbol of our courage. The world is compelled to look at us with a different perspective.
Over the past 12 years, defense sector production has increased fourfold, khadi and village industry production fivefold, and electronic device production sevenfold. Mobile phone production has grown by 33 percent, and digital transactions by 100 percent.
Small dreams are no longer enough. We must dream big. Because big dreams expand our thinking and broaden the horizon of our vision. Our determination must be unshakable. When determination is firm, the ability to forge a path forward even amid difficulties and disasters naturally emerges.
Our vision is to transform India into a developed nation by 2047, when 100 years of independence will be completed. We must achieve it. This goal will be reached through the collective effort of our 1.4 billion people and an unwavering spirit of hard work.
Over the past 12 years, countless citizens have strived in every possible way to take the nation to new heights with their unwavering resolve and dedication. I acknowledge such efforts with great respect.
Energy security is the need of the hour. We are moving forward with the goal of achieving 100 gigawatts of nuclear power generation capacity by 2047. We also plan to launch five new nuclear reactors in this decade.
The country gained independence. That independence was filled with many dreams. However, we were unable to gain enough speed or momentum. We remained stuck in the mindset of “it will happen; it will get done; let’s see.”
We had been included in the list of the five weakest countries in the world. Even in that situation, India has gained new momentum over the past 12 years. We are advancing very rapidly. The determination of our 1.4 billion people is such that no one can now stop our collective resolve and capability.
The Central Government has worked with the same intensity to improve facilities for ordinary people. We have provided piped drinking water connections at an average pace 15 times faster per year than before. Cooking gas connections have been provided at six times the pace of the previous year.
Toilets for the poor have been built at four times the pace per year, and houses for the backward sections at three times the pace.
The country has also undergone a major transformation in governance. Thousands of rules and procedures have been removed. Hundreds of outdated laws have been repealed.
We expanded metro rail networks to build modern infrastructure. We strengthened the public transportation system. The speed and scale at which these works were carried out reflect a transformation seen for the first time since independence. All of this has happened within the last 10 years.
12 years ago, piped gas facilities were available in only 70 cities. Over the past 12 years, this number has risen to 700 cities. Today, 1.75 crore families in the country are connected to piped gas connections.
Self-reliant India is very important. India should no longer depend on other countries; our firm belief is that we must become self-reliant. We must develop our own capabilities and protect our own interests ourselves. With this resolve, we are steadily moving forward toward a 'Self-reliant India.' Every Indian is coming together with initiatives such as 'Make in India,' 'Swadeshi,' and 'preference for local products.'
In today’s digital and technological world, we recognize the immense importance of chips (semiconductor chips). Whether it is electronic goods, medical equipment, or transportation systems, chips are indispensable. Without them, the world would come to a standstill. India has moved toward self-reliance in this sector. Three major semiconductor plants have already been established. I have also been informed that production for export has begun at those plants. In the coming 7–8 years, another five to eight semiconductor plants are expected to come into operation soon.
Over the past 10–12 years, we have faced many dangers. Just as we were recovering from the impact of COVID, news came that wars had begun in Ukraine and the West Asian region. There was an atmosphere of tension. Only God knows what all the forecasters predicted!
Some people took pleasure in spreading rumors that vaccines would not be available and that petrol, diesel, and fertilizers would not be available in the country, plunging the nation into fear. Some found joy in creating a tense atmosphere in the country.
Today the country depends on crude oil. This is the result of a mistaken mindset. You would be surprised to learn that because of this mindset, 99% of our coastal area had been classified as an “inaccessible area.” We had avoided exploring the depths of the sea.
That is a sign of poverty of thought. We decided that the situation should not continue like this. We have now opened up 99% of the areas that were once “inaccessible zones” as “zones suitable for activity.” We are now actively engaged in deep-sea exploration and in the search for new resources.
Last year, as an important step in this direction, we announced the 'Samudra Manthan' initiative. Recently, we have also decided to allocate ₹85,000 crore in funding for this, to accelerate these efforts.
India has a stable political order; a stable government; a vibrant democracy; a strong judiciary; and a Constitution that guides all of us. The trade agreements we have recently signed present us with a great opportunity. I want to say that our micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) should not miss this opportunity. This is what Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his address.