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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged Indians to “dream big” and “pledge big”, saying a nation achieves its goals when it moves forward on the strength of its dreams, resolve and capabilities.
Addressing the nation from the Red Fort on the 80th Independence Day, Modi said bigger dreams expand people’s thinking and broaden their vision, while firm resolve helps a country navigate difficulties and disasters.
He said the world would be compelled to look at India differently when the world’s most populous country becomes a developed nation.
PM Modi highlighted India’s economic and industrial progress over the past 12 years, saying the country had moved from being counted among the “Fragile Five” economies to becoming the world’s fastest-growing major economy.
He said the country’s development had been driven by the resolve and capabilities of its 140 crore citizens. Defence production has increased nearly fourfold, while production in the khadi and village industries sector has risen nearly fivefold and electronics manufacturing nearly sevenfold, he said.
Modern railway coach production has increased 21 times and mobile phone production 33 times over the period, Modi said. He also highlighted a 100-fold increase in digital transactions.
The prime minister called for stronger energy security and more nuclear power capacity, saying India had turned “no-go areas” into “go-ahead areas”. He said the country needed to expand nuclear power as part of its efforts to secure its energy needs.
PM Modi also highlighted India’s progress in nuclear technology, saying the country had crossed an important milestone this year by mastering fast breeder nuclear technology. He described the achievement as a major step towards self-reliance in nuclear fuel.
On semiconductors, PM Modi said India would see five to seven new semiconductor plants being established over the next seven to eight years.
“Countries do not always stop because of a lack of resources, but often because of limitations in thinking,” PM Modi said, stressing the need to expand India’s ambitions and recognise its capabilities.
The prime minister also expressed solidarity with families affected by floods and landslides in different parts of the country. He said the government and the entire country stood with those affected and assured them of support during the difficult period.
PM Modi also noted the historic significance of Vande Mataram being heard at the Red Fort on August 15, saying it was the first such occasion since Independence. The occasion was particularly significant as India is marking 150 years of Vande Mataram.
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