NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed confidence that India will become a developed nation by 2047 and called upon citizens to dream big and work collectively towards realising the vision of Viksit Bharat.
Addressing the nation from the Red Fort on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day, Modi said the country was moving ahead with renewed determination and that the goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047 reflected India’s confidence and ambition.
“The whole country is moving forward with a new resolve. India has also dreamt big — and that is the dream of becoming a developed nation by 2047. Viksit Bharat will be realised in 2047,” the Prime Minister said.
He said when the world’s most populous country resolves to become a developed nation, it demonstrates its courage and compels the world to view India from a different perspective.
Urging citizens to set ambitious goals, Modi said nations achieve greatness when they move forward with dreams, determination and their inherent strength.
“Small dreams will no longer suffice. We must dream big, for big dreams expand our thinking and broaden the horizons of our vision,” he said.
The Prime Minister said firm resolve helps a nation find a way forward even in the face of difficulties and disasters.
Referring to the full rendition of ‘Vande Mataram’ at the Red Fort, Modi described the occasion as historic, saying it was the first time since Independence that the national song had resonated from the iconic monument on August 15.
“For everyone present at this ceremony today, this is also a historic moment. For the first time since Independence, ‘Vande Mataram’ is resounding at the Red Fort on August 15,” he said.
He added that the Tricolour was now flying in every home and living in the hearts and minds of citizens as the country moved forward with enthusiasm and new resolutions.
Highlighting India’s economic progress, Modi said the country had moved from being counted among the “Fragile Five” economies to becoming a major and fast-growing economy.
“We were in the Fragile Five. Now we are a major and fast-growing economy. We could not push ourselves earlier. We were stuck,” he said.
The Prime Minister also highlighted growth in key sectors over the past 12 years, saying defence production had increased fourfold, Khadi and village industries production fivefold and electronics manufacturing sevenfold.
He said mobile phone production had risen by 33 per cent while digital transactions had recorded 100 per cent growth.
Modi also expressed concern over floods that have affected several parts of the country in recent days and assured affected families of the nation’s support.
“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,” he said.
Earlier, the Prime Minister hoisted the National Flag at the Red Fort as part of the Independence Day celebrations. The flag-hoisting was synchronised with a 21-gun salute by gunners of the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial), using indigenous 105 mm Light Field Guns.
The ceremonial battery was commanded by Major Pawan Singh Shekhawat, while Naib Subedar Anuthosh Sarkar served as the Gun Position Officer.
