'Vande Mataram echoing from Red Fort for first time': PM Modi leads 'historic moment' at Independence Day
PM Modi Independence Day speech Live: The address comes against the backdrop of celebrations centred on Yuva Shakti and the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday led the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort, describing the occasion as a historic moment as Vande Mataram echoed from the ramparts of the iconic monument for the first time on August 15 since Independence.
PM Modi ahead of his Independence Day address at the Red fort. (HT Photo/Raj K Raj)
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Addressing the nation after unfurling the Tricolour, Modi paid tribute to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for India's independence and remembered Mahatma Gandhi and the revolutionaries who inspired the country's freedom struggle.
"The country today remembers with reverence those great sons and daughters who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom of the nation. With freedom as the sole objective, they devoted their entire lives to sacrifice and struggle," the Prime Minister said.
"I respectfully salute revered Bapu and all the freedom fighters, as well as the great revolutionaries who inspired this glorious tradition of sacrifice," he said.
Modi then highlighted the significance of Vande Mataram being rendered at the Red Fort during the Independence Day ceremony.
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"For everyone present at this ceremony today, this is also a historic moment. For the first time since Independence, Vande Mataram is echoing from the Red Fort on August 15," he said.
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"For everyone present at this ceremony today, this is also a historic moment. For the first time since Independence, Vande Mataram is echoing from the Red Fort on August 15," he said.
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This year's Independence Day celebrations mark 150 years of Vande Mataram, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's iconic song that has been closely associated with India's freedom movement. The celebrations also focus on Yuva Shakti and India's vision of becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
The Prime Minister's address marked his 13th consecutive Independence Day speech from the Red Fort. He had earlier greeted the nation and remembered the freedom fighters, saying their dreams continue to inspire India's journey towards becoming a developed nation.
The ceremony included the unfurling of the national flag, a 21-gun salute and performances centred on Vande Mataram. Around 2,500 Army, Navy and Air Force cadets, along with My Bharat volunteers, participated in the celebrations, while thousands of special guests from different walks of life attended the event.
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Deep Dive
What historical significance did Vande Mataram hold during India's 80th Independence Day?
Vande Mataram was rendered during the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort for the first time, marking its 150th anniversary and symbolizing India's journey towards freedom and unity.
Why is the youth emphasized in PM Modi's Independence Day speeches?
PM Modi highlights the role of youth in shaping a developed India by 2047, referring to them as 'Yuva Shakti' to inspire aspirations for a stronger and self-reliant nation.
How does PM Modi's approach to Independence Day speeches differ from those of previous leaders?
PM Modi's speeches at the Red Fort focus heavily on contemporary issues such as self-reliance, technology, and youth empowerment, aiming to connect historical sacrifices with present-day national priorities.
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