PM Modi's Independence Day Speeches: Reflections On 2014 & 2019 Post-Election Addresses From Red Fort

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to deliver his 11th Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort. He is the third prime minister to deliver 11 I-Day speeches after Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.

All eyes will be on the Red Fort on August 15 as this is also PM Modi’s first speech after the BJP-led NDA coming to power at the Centre for the third consecutive time. Reports say PM Modi’s speech is likely to include Viksit Bharat and making India a developed country by 2047, besides carrying a reassurance for the citizens of the country amid a turbulent neighbourhood.

Ever since Modi delivered his first Independence Day speech from the Red Fort in 2014, it has been seen as a ritual for the Prime Minister to tell the nation about what his government has done and the vision for the future. This is the third time that PM Modi will be delivering he Independence Day speech after winning the Lok Sabha election.

Here are highlights from his I-Day speeches in 2014 and 2019 after the BJP won Lok Sabha elections:

PM Modi’s Speech Highlights from 2014 Independence Day

PM Narendra Modi delivered his first Independence Day speech as the Prime Minister of India from the ramparts of Red Fort on August 15, 2014. In an hour-long speech (65 minutes), PM Modi laid the basis for Digital India, Make in India, the Planning Commission becoming Niti Aayog, Swachch Bharat, Beti Bachaao Beti Padhaao and more such programmes of his government, setting new aspirations for the country and its people.

Here are top quotes from Modi’s 2014 Independence Day Speech:

• I am here not as pradhan mantri (Prime Minister) but as pradhan sevak (prime servant in service of country).
• This country has not been made by politicians, kings or governments. It has been made by farmers, labourers, youth, our mothers and sisters. Our country has progressed because of the hard work of all these people.
• I assure Indians I will develop India. This I say standing under the Tricolour.
• I want to ask every mother and father, you ask your daughters ‘where are you going, who are you going with’. But do you ever ask your sons these questions? After all, those who rape are also someone’s son. Everyone is busy giving their psychological opinions on rape.
• I appeal to the doctors not to kill the girl-child in the mother’s womb. I request the parents not to kill the girl-child because they want a son. Indian sportsmen brought pride to our country in the Commonwealth Games. 29 Indian women won medals at the CWG.
• Come, Make in India. We have the capability. Invite companies from all sectors. I invite our youth involved in manufacturing to ensure that all over the world, products say ‘Made in India’. Why should we have to import things when we have such capable young citizens? Out of all the things we import, I will ensure that we start making at least one of those in India.
• The world used to think we are a land of snake charmers and black magic. But our youth has surprised the world with its IT skills. I dream of a digital India. We want to forge ahead with digital India. We want to give good governance through E-governance. E-Governance is easy governance, effective governance. We have to move towards ‘Digital India’.
• When I became the PM, the first task I took up was that of cleaning. People were surprised. If we keep our country clean, no one can come from outside and spoil it. I don’t know whether people will appreciate me talking about dirt & toilets from Red Fort but I come from a poor family. All schools should have toilets. There should be separate toilets for schools. I urge all MPs to spend one year’s funds to construct toilets. In 2019, ensuring cleanliness will be the most fitting tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary. Gandhiji emphasised on cleanliness. We should ensure that every road, school, office, locality and neighbourhood is clean.
• There has been much speculation about the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission was made according to the country’s needs back then. The country has changed, its needs have changed. Times have changed from the time the Planning Commission was created. If we want to take the country forward, the states have to be taken forward. Sometimes renovating an old house takes a lot of money and we are still not satisfied, hence it is better to build a new one. With the object of building a partnership between the Centre and the state, with the object of strengthening our country, we will soon create a new institution.

Key Takeaways from PM Modi’s 2019 Independence Day Speech

In 2019, after the BJP registered a thumping victory in the Lok Sabha Elections, PM Modi, in his Independence Day speech, spoke of the Abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and the criminalisation of Triple Talaq. He also gave a new ambition to India – becoming a $5 trillion economy. The decision for India to appoint a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to head all the three defence forces was also announced by PM Modi in his 2019 I-Day speech.

Top quotes from PM Modi’s 2019 I-Day speech:

• While 2014-2019 was a period of fulfilling your basic needs, the years from 2019 and beyond will see your aspirations and dreams getting fulfilled. What should 21st Century India look like? How fast should it move? How extensively, should it work, what heights should it strive for- we are taking steps one after the other by preparing a roadmap for the next five years, keeping all these things in mind.
• We had started with the mantra Sabka Saath- Sabka Vikas , but within five years, the countrymen have painted the entire mood of the nation with the color of Sabka Vishwas. The Trust and confidence that everyone reposed in us over the last five years will inspire us to serve the nation with more vigour.
• You would have seen how our Muslim daughters and sisters used to live in fear with the sword of Triple Talaq dangling over their heads. Even if they were not victims of Triple Talaq, they were constantly haunted by the fear that they could be subjected to it anytime. Many Islamic countries abolished this evil practice long time back. But for some reason we were hesitant to give our Muslim mothers and sisters their due rights. If, we can abolish Sati Pratha, if we can enact laws to end female foeticide, if we can raise our voice against child marriage, if we can take strong steps against dowry system in this country, then why can’t we raise our voice against Triple Talaq?
• Similarly, I will give another example. What was the reason behind revocation of Article 370 and 35A? This is the hallmark of this government. We do not avoid problems, nor do we let them fester. There is no time to delay or neglect problems. The work that was not done in the last 70 years has been accomplished within 70 days after this new government came to power.
• It is our responsibility to see that the aspirations of the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh get fulfilled. It is our collective responsibility to give new wings to their dreams. This responsibility has to be shouldered by all 130 crore of my countrymen. To meet this commitment we have made endeavours to remove whatever hurdles were there in the way.
• Today, as I address the nation from the Red Fort, I can proudly say that every Indian today can speak of One Nation, One Constitution and we are trying to fulfil Sardar Sahibs dream of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
• How does every house get water, pure drinking water? I declare from the Red Fort today that in the days to come, we will take forward the ‘Jal-Jeevan’ Mission. The central and the state governments will jointly work on this ‘Jal-Jeevan’ Mission.
• Population explosion in the country will create various problems for the coming generations. Those who follow the policy of small family also contribute to the development of the nation, it is also a form of patriotism. There is a need of social awareness in the country.
• From 2014 to 2019, we became a $3 trillion economy. Before that, in the last 70 years, the country was a $2 trillion economy. We added $1 trillion to the economy in just five years. Now we are looking forward to making the nation a $5 trillion economy.
• We have taken decision to create Chief of Defence Staff position. This will be an important step.
• On October 2, let us pledge to make the country free of single-use plastic. On Diwali let us gift people cloth bags instead plastics. That will be an advertisement for your company as well.