New Delhi, Aug 2026 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended his greetings to the nation on India’s 80th Independence Day, paying tribute to the countless freedom fighters whose courage and sacrifice brought an end to colonial rule and inspired generations to build a stronger and more prosperous India.
In an Independence Day message posted on X, Modi remembered the men and women who fought for India’s freedom and said their dreams continue to guide the country’s efforts to realise the vision of a Viksit Bharat.
“Warm greetings on the occasion of Independence Day,” the Prime Minister said, recalling the sacrifices made by the freedom movement.
Modi said the country remembers with gratitude the countless freedom fighters whose courage, sacrifice and unwavering commitment ensured the end of colonial rule. Their vision, he said, continues to inspire the nation as Indians work collectively towards building a developed India.
Highlighting India’s progress in recent years, the Prime Minister credited the country’s 140 crore citizens for driving development across multiple sectors. He said the nation was scaling new heights of progress and expressed confidence that the momentum would accelerate further in the years ahead.
“Powered by 140 crore Indians, our nation is scaling new heights of progress across different sectors,” Modi said, adding that he hoped the country’s development journey would continue with even greater speed.
The Prime Minister’s message came as Independence Day celebrations were being held across the country, with the main national ceremony taking place at the historic Red Fort in New Delhi. Modi is leading the celebrations, where he is scheduled to unfurl the national flag and address the nation.
This year’s celebrations place particular emphasis on the 150th anniversary of ‘Vande Mataram’ and the contribution of Yuva Shakti, or the power of India’s youth, towards achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
For the first time, ‘Vande Mataram’ is being rendered as part of the Independence Day programme at the Red Fort. NCC cadets and My Bharat Volunteers are participating in a mass rendition of the iconic national song, adding a strong youth dimension to the celebrations.
Modi’s address from the Red Fort also marks a significant political milestone. He is delivering his 13th consecutive Independence Day address from the historic monument, setting a new record among non-Congress Prime Ministers for consecutive Independence Day speeches from the Red Fort.
The ceremonial programme includes the unfurling of the national flag, a 21-gun salute and a helicopter showering flowers, followed by the Prime Minister’s address to the nation. The celebrations are also showcasing India’s cultural heritage, achievements and aspirations as the country works towards its long-term development goals.
A major focus of this year’s programme is the role of young Indians in shaping the nation’s future. With India aiming to achieve the Viksit Bharat @ 2047 vision, the government is placing increasing emphasis on innovation, entrepreneurship, education, skills and youth participation.
Modi’s Independence Day message therefore combines remembrance of India’s freedom struggle with an appeal for collective national effort. By invoking the sacrifices of the freedom fighters and highlighting the contribution of 140 crore Indians, the Prime Minister stressed that the journey from an independent India to a developed India remains a shared national responsibility.
As the country celebrates 80 years of independence, the message from the Red Fort is centred on gratitude for the past, confidence in India’s present and an ambitious vision for the future.
