Atmanirbhar Bharat – Swaraj, Swadeshi, Samriddhi

“I am going to give a great gift this Diwali. Over the past eight years, we implemented a major GST reform and simplified taxes. Now, the time has come for a review. We have conducted it, consulted with states, and are set to introduce a ‘next-generation GST reform”, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his 12th consecutive Independence Day speech from the Ramparts of Red fort on August 15, 2025.

He announced a major overhaul of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), promising a next-generation reform with lower rates by Deepawali. The move is aimed at reducing taxes on everyday items, supporting MSMEs, and boosting economic growth.

Roadmap for Viksit Bharat

The simplified tax structure is expected to boost compliance, reduce GST rates, and stimulate consumption despite potential short-term revenue losses. The proposed reform is seen as a critical step to stimulate consumption and provide fresh momentum to Bharat’s economy, particularly amidst global trade uncertainties and tariff-related disruptions.

The 103 minutes long address to the nation by PM Modi from the Red Fort charted a bold roadmap for a Viksit Bharat by 2047. Emphasising on Bharat’s progress built on self-reliance, innovation, and citizen empowerment, he stated that across sectors ranging from strategic defence to semiconductors, clean energy to agriculture, and digital sovereignty to youth empowerment, the roadmap seeks to transform

Bharat into a $10 trillion economy by 2047, making it globally competitive, socially inclusive, and strategically autonomous.

Remembering Tough Times

He paid tribute to its makers and marked the 125th birth anniversary of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, noting that the abrogation of Article 370 fulfilled Mookerjee’s vision. “When we brought the mantra of ‘one country, one Constitution’ to life by demolishing the wall of Article 370, we paid true tribute to Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee,” PM Modi added.

Tribute to Tribal Hero Bhagvan Birsa Munda

Paying respect to Birsa Munda and other tribal heroes of the freedom struggle, PM said that their stories were suppressed in colonial history. This aligns with the government’s efforts like “Janjatiya Gaurav Divas” and tribal museums.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered Mahatma Jyotiba Phule On his 200th birth anniversary

PM Modi also mentioned Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, whose martyrdom marks the 350th anniversary this yea

103-Minute Record Speech

PM Nodi’s speech this time was the longest in the history of Bharat’s Independence Day. In 103 minutes, the Prime Minister covered several issues, including the economy, defence, youth, technology, and social unity.

“1 Lakh Crore for empowerment of Youth

Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana includes skill development, support for start-ups, scholarships in artificial intelligence and green technology, and promotion of sports and educational infrastructure in small towns. The Prime Minister called the youth the engine of a developed Bharat.

No Tolerance for Nuclear Threats

In an indirect message to Pakistan, he said that Bharat will not accept nuclear threats and stressed a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism

Operation Sindoor

After the Pahalgam terrorist attack, our forces carried out special military operation using indigenous technology with precision. PM Modi praised armed force

He also reflected on the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, urging the nation to remember the “sin of murdering Constitution” and strengthen its commitment to democratic values.

Clarity Post Operation Sindoor

Hailing the brave warriors of Operation Sindoor, he said, “Bharat has now decided that if our enemies continue the acts of terrorism in the future, our army will decide on its own terms, in the manner it deems fit, and will act accordingly. We will give a fitting and crushing response.”

“The operation dismantled terror networks and Pakistan-based infrastructure, signalling a new era where Bharat will no longer accept nuclear blackmail or threats on foreign terms. The indigenous capabilities, including Made in Bharat weapons, enable Bharat to act decisively and independently, proving that national security cannot rely on foreign dependence”, he added.

“Blood and water will not flow together. The people have realised that the Indus Waters Treaty was unjust. Water from the Indus River system irrigated enemy lands while our farmers suffered. The Indus Waters Treaty is unacceptable to us in the interest of our farmers, and in the interest of the nation”, he said.

Vision For Viksit Bharat

The Prime Minister emphasised that Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) Bharat is the cornerstone of Viksit (developed) Bharat. “Viksit Bharat ka aadhar hai Atmanirbhar Bharat… If someone becomes too dependent on others, the very question of freedom starts to fade. Atmanirbhar is not limited merely to imports, exports, rupees, pounds, or dollars; its meaning is far broader. Atmanirbhar is directly connected to our strength,” he said.

Bharat is today creating a modern ecosystem in every sector which will make our country self-reliant in every field. “Drawing inspiration from Bharat’s COVID-19 response, where indigenous vaccines and platforms like CoWin saved millions of lives globally, we must expand this spirit of innovation. Our scientists and youth should build our own jet engines taking it up as a direct challenge. Researchers and entrepreneurs must secure patents for new drugs and medical technologies, ensuring that Bharat not only meets its own healthcare needs but also becomes a global hub of medical self-reliance and innovation, demonstrating the country’s ability to lead in science, technology, and human welfare”, he said.

He further appealed every trader and shopkeeper, and said, “I want you all to come forward, write outside your shops, ‘yahan swadeshi maal bikta hai’ (indigenous products are sold here). We should be proud of swadeshi, we should adopt swadeshi not due to compulsion, but as our strength”.

Amidst the rising global tensions, he said, “Bharat is committed to structural, regulatory, policy, process, and procedural reforms, building a nation where governance works for the people, not the other way around. Instead of focusing on others’ limitations, Bharat must extend its own line of progress. In a world of rising economic self-interest, the focus must be on strengthening Bharat’s capabilities, expanding opportunities, and empowering citizens. These reforms mark the beginning of an accelerated phase of governance transformation, ensuring Bharat is more resilient, inclusive, and globally competitive.”

Protecting From Inside

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced an ambitious and visionary ‘Mission Sudarshan Chakra’, an indigenous advanced defence system inspired by Shri Krishna’s Sudarshana Chakra, to protect and defend the critical public infrastructure of Bharat during combat situation or other threats. The announcement is deemed as an extremely crucial and timely move, in an era of spiking security threats, geopolitical volatilities and changing nature of warfare. It fosters to develop this weapon systems by 2035.

On Tribal Rights

Prime Minister Modi announced the setting up of a high-powered demography mission to deal with the challenge of infiltration. Calling the issue a major concern and a challenge for his government, he said, “Under a well-thought-out conspiracy, the country’s demography is being changed, seeds of a new crisis are being sown… So, we have decided to start a high-powered demography mission.”

“Our tribal youth were caught in the clutches of Maoism. Today, we have reduced that number from over 125 districts to merely 20. Regions once known as the “Red Corridor” are now becoming corridors of green development. This is a matter of pride for us. In those parts of Bharat’s map once stained red with blood, we have now hoisted the tricolour, the rule of law, and development”, he said.

Backbone of Atmanirbharta

Calling farmers the backbone of the nation’s journey from dependency to self-reliance, he recalled how colonial rule had left the country impoverished, but it was the tireless efforts of farmers that filled Bharat’s granaries and secured the nation’s food sovereignty. PM Modi said India’s growing economy is directly benefiting farmers, livestock rearers, and fishermen. To further bridge regional gaps, the Prime Minister announced the PM Dhanya Dhanya Krishi Yojana, targeting the 100 most backward farming districts. He stressed the urgent need for domestic production of fertilisers.

PM Modi also underlined Bharat’s renewed focus on semiconductor manufacturing, while pointing to decades of missed opportunities in the sector, “When we talk about different dimensions of technology, I want to draw your attention. For example, files related to semiconductors started moving 50–60 years ago… but the idea was stalled, delayed, and blocked. The very idea was aborted before it could take shape. Today, decades later, many countries have mastered semiconductors and established their strength in the world.”

He also announced Bharat’s plans to build its own space station. He referred to astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s recent 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), noting, “Shubhanshu Shukla is back from a successful space mission and will soon return to Bharat.” He informed, over 300 startups are actively innovating in satellites, exploration, and cutting-edge space technologies.

PM Modi further said that, Bharat plans to increase its nuclear power generation capacity tenfold over the next two decades. He described nuclear energy as critical for meeting the nation’s long-term energy needs and highlighted the ongoing efforts in green energy capacity building. He noted that solar energy production in Bharat has risen 30-fold over the past 11 years. He said new dams are being built to expand hydropower and improve clean energy access.

Celebration of Woman Power

Highlighting the 148th National Defence Academy (NDA) passing out parade, which saw the graduation of its first-ever batch of female cadets, he beamed, “The whole country was proud to see female cadets participating in the NDA passing out parade”.

“The women are the beneficiaries of our progressing economy, and they are also the contributors to it. From Startups to space, our daughters are contributing everywhere,” he said.

PM Modi further stated that his Government is committed to creating a modern, efficient, and citizen-friendly ecosystem with simplified laws, regulations, and processes. During his speech, PM Modi said, “Over the past years, the government has undertaken a historic wave of reforms, abolishing over 40,000 unnecessary compliances and repealing more than 1,500 outdated laws. In the recent session alone, over 280 provisions were removed, making governance simpler and more accessible for every Bharatiya. We have abolished the penal code and brought in Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, embodying trust in the citizens of Bharat, a sense of belonging, and filled with sensitivity”.

On Lifestyle And Sports

Flagging obesity as a major challenge, PM Modi asked the people of Bharat to fight against it. Experts say that one in every three persons would be obese in the coming years. “Every family in the country should be concerned that obesity is becoming a major challenge for our country. We must protect ourselves from obesity,” he said.

In this direction, he urged families to buy 10 per cent less oil for cooking and also cut its usage by 10 per cent. PM urged Bharatiyas to embrace traditional cooking methods that use less oil, rely more on steaming, roasting, and boiling, and incorporate diverse plant-based ingredients. PM Modi described sports as an essential aspect of Bharat’s journey towards becoming a developed nation, saying that the new National Sports Policy (NSP) will ensure a sporting growth that covers the farthest school to the elite Olympics.

“Sports is an essential aspect of development and I am happy, that from the time when parents used to scoff at children spending time in sports, we have reached a point where it has changed. Now, parents are happy if children take interest in sports,” PM Modi said.

Concluding his speech, he asked the youth to develop Bharat’s own social media platforms and digital infrastructure, ensuring communication, data, and technological ecosystems remain secure and independent, reinforcing Bharat’s digital autonomy.