New Delhi: On the occasion of the 80th Independence Day, PM Modi hoisted the Tricolour at the ramparts of the Red Fort. He subsequently delivered a speech lasting approximately 75 minutes. This was his shortest Independence Day address in the last four years. Nevertheless, he made several major announcements during the speech, ranging from providing Artificial Intelligence (AI) training to the youth and offering free online coaching facilities to initiatives regarding semiconductor manufacturing.
Major Announcements by PM Modi
AI Youth Skilling: The Prime Minister stated that, starting next year, 10 million (1 crore) youths across the country would be trained in Artificial Intelligence through a mission-mode approach. PM Modi remarked that the youth would play a pivotal role in building a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India); to empower this generation for future needs, they are being rapidly equipped with skills in semiconductors, data centers, AI, and modern technologies.
Free Online Coaching: The Prime Minister announced that free online coaching would be provided to youths preparing for various examinations. He emphasized the significant role youth play in the journey towards a developed India, noting that they would be the primary beneficiaries of this progress. PM Modi acknowledged that the cost of coaching classes has become a massive burden for middle-class families. He said, “Every parent feels that if they don’t send their child to coaching classes, they aren’t considered a ‘prestigious’ family. We care about these poor and middle-class families.” The Prime Minister assured these families that they could save thousands of crores of rupees spent on coaching while keeping their children close and caring for them. He added, “That is why we have decided to provide free online coaching facilities for various exams. We have digital public infrastructure, as well as excellent talent and teachers. By integrating these resources, we are going to establish a comprehensive network to provide free coaching to the country’s youth.”
Civil Defence Reform: PM Modi spoke about the need for modern training and enhanced capabilities to address evolving security requirements. He said, “Today, from the Red Fort, I announce that we will build a robust civil defense network in the coming days. We will familiarize them with modern systems. What measures can be taken to protect citizens from contemporary crises? We are going to create a massive, modern civil defense volunteer force capable of tackling today’s challenges. Today, the contribution of our sisters and daughters to nation-building is a great source of inspiration for us all. Whether it is fighter jets or civil aviation, our daughters are at the forefront. Whether it is the sports arena or STEM education, our daughters are forging ahead. Even in the armed forces, daughters graduating from the NDA are demonstrating the capability to lead the nation’s military with great confidence and authority.”
Sports Talent Hunt: Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated on Saturday that India is a strong contender to host the 2036 Olympics. To ensure strong national participation, a nationwide talent hunt campaign will be launched to identify talented athletes in the 5-to-15 age group. Modi said, “India’s performance is consistently improving, and we are a strong contender to host the Olympics in 2036. We are hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2030. The Olympics feature around 40 sports comprising approximately 350 events. It is unfortunate that we are unable to compete in at least two-thirds of these events because we fail to qualify.” He added, “We have resolved that by 2036, we will participate in at least three-quarters of the competitions. We are launching a nationwide talent hunt for children aged 5 to 15 to identify talented athletes in every corner of the country. They will receive specialized training to become world-class athletes.” Semiconductors: The PM stated, “In today’s digital world and technological landscape, we recognize the immense importance of chips. Whether it is electronic goods, medical equipment, or transportation systems, chips are essential; without them, the world would come to a standstill. India has moved towards self-reliance in this sector. Three major semiconductor plants have already been established, and I have been informed that production for export has commenced at these facilities. In the coming 7–8 years, five to eight additional semiconductor plants are set to become operational.”
Nuclear Energy: The PM noted that the target is to achieve a capacity of 100 gigawatts by 2047, with five new reactors scheduled to become operational within the next 6–7 years. He said, “Nuclear energy is a vital component of energy security. We have paved the way toward a new goal by passing the ‘Peace Act’ in Parliament. We are moving forward with a target of 100 gigawatts of nuclear power by 2047. Our objective is to commission five new nuclear reactors within this decade alone. This year, India achieved a significant milestone by mastering fast breeder nuclear technology, marking a major step towards self-reliance in nuclear fuel.”
