Addressing the nation from the ramparts of historic Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi saluted the Corona warriors who have helped the nation fight against the pandemic. He greeted the nation on the occasion of Independence Day and said people breathe in Independent India today because of the sacrifice of thousands of heroes. 

The Prime Minister said in the midst of the Corona pandemic, 130 crore Indians have pledged to build an Atma Nirbhar Bharat. Mr Modi expressed confidence that India will realize this dream. He said he has firm belief on the abilities, confidence and potential of  Indians.

He said India has always believed that the entire world is one family. He said as the nation focuses on economic growth and development, humanity must retain a central role in this process and India’s journey. 

Mr Modi said there was a time when India’s agricultural system was very backward and the biggest concern was how to feed the countrymen. The Prime Minister said that today, India can not only feed its people but many countries of the world. Mr Modi said India’s share in the world economy should increase for which India has to be self-reliant.

He said he is confident that measures like opening up the Space sector will generate many new employment opportunities for the youth and provide further avenues to hone their skills and potential. The Prime Minister gave the call for Vocal For Local.

Mr Modi said Atma Nirbhar Bharat means not just reducing imports, but also increasing skills, creativity, and abilities. He said India has to go beyond reducing imports. He said only a few months ago, India used to import N-95 masks, PPE kits, and ventilators. The Prime Minister stated that today, India is not only fulfilling its own needs, but has also come forward to help other countries. Mr Modi said FDI inflows have risen by 18 per cent in the past year.

The Prime Minister said it was unthinkable earlier that crores of rupees would be directly transferred in the Jan Dhan accounts of the poor in the country. He said no one could imagine earlier that big changes would be brought in the Agricultural Produce Market Committee Act for the benefit of farmers.

The Prime Minister said that Atma Nirbhar Krishi and Atma Nirbhar Kisan are priorities of an Atma Nirbhar India. He said, the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund of Rs one lakh crore has been created recently to give modern infrastructure to the farmers of the country.

Mr Modi said the Jal Jeevan Mission was announced from the Red Fort last year and now, more than one lakh houses are getting water connection every day. 

Mr Modi stressed that women empowerment has a huge role to play in Atma Nirbhar bharat. He informed that of the 40 crore Jan Dhan accounts opened in the country, about 22 crore accounts belong to women. He said that in April, May and June this year, about Rs 30,000 crore have been directly transferred to the accounts of women.