New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation from the Red Fort on the 80th Independence Day, on Saturday unveiled a seven-point strategy, termed “Sapta Dhara,” to guide India towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.
The PM said Vande Mataram was sung at the Red Fort for the first time since independence, coinciding with the song’s 150th anniversary, and paid tribute to freedom fighters including Mahatma Gandhi.
He said around 25 crore Indians had moved out of poverty over the past 12 years, and that India had grown from being labelled among the “Fragile Five” economies in 2014 to the fastest-growing major economy today.
He cited a near fourfold rise in defence production, a sevenfold increase in electronics manufacturing, and a 100-fold jump in digital transactions over the period, according to an official statement.
Reiterating the government’s push for self-reliance, the PM said three semiconductor plants were now operational and exporting, with five to eight more expected in the coming years. He said India aimed to achieve 100 gigawatts of nuclear power capacity by 2047, alongside expanded solar capacity and gas pipeline coverage. He also referred to India’s first hydrogen-powered train and full electrification of the railway network.
He said India had withstood recent global disruptions, including the pandemic and conflicts abroad, without shortages of fuel or fertiliser, and cautioned against the “weaponisation” of global resources by some nations. He urged MSMEs to leverage nearly 40 free trade agreements signed since 2014 to expand exports in textiles, pharmaceuticals and seafood.
Outlining the seven pillars of his roadmap, the PM listed:
a) Manufacturing power – building a complete domestic value chain with a focus on quality and zero-defect production
b) Agriculture and food processing – promoting chemical-free farming and global branding of Indian produce
c) Technology and innovation – strengthening digital infrastructure and pursuing leadership in AI, 6G and quantum computing
d) Connectivity – expanding high-speed rail, highways and port-led development
e) Defence – self-reliance in production, and leadership in drone and hypersonic technology
f) Green and blue economy – renewable energy, green hydrogen and coastal economic development
g) Soft power – leveraging yoga, tourism, cinema and creative industries globally
He also announced that one crore youth would be trained in AI skills over the next year, and said a nationwide talent hunt would identify sporting talent among children aged 5 to 15 ahead of India’s bid for the 2036 Olympics and its hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
On security, Modi said Naxal violence had nearly been eliminated after decades of conflict and announced a modern civil defence network to prepare citizens against evolving threats.
He highlighted the growing role of women in the armed forces and STEM fields, said the Lakhpati Didi scheme had crossed its 3-crore target with a new goal of 6 crore set, and renewed his appeal to political parties to implement women’s reservation in legislatures.
He said the Ayushman Bharat scheme had extended health coverage to 100 crore citizens, up from 25 crore before 2014, and urged citizens to actively participate in the ongoing Census by submitting accurate details digitally.
Modi closed his address by calling on citizens to place national interest above self-interest in pursuit of a developed India by 2047.
