Proud India at 79: United in Diversity, Unstoppable in Resolve

India marks 79 years of Independence with unity, resilience and momentum. Operation Sindoor showcased national resolve and Atmanirbhar defence, as policy pivots—High-Power Demography Mission and Mission Sudarshan Chakra—signal firm security deterrence. With 6.5% growth, sweeping reforms, and shrinking disparities, inclusion expands via Ayushman Bharat, digital infrastructure and the India-AI mission. Ambitions span space (Gaganyaan, space station) and energy independence—surging solar, dams and a tenfold rise in nuclear by 2047. Rooted in the “mother of democracy,” India advances toward developed-nation status.

India enters its 79th year of Independence with more than a touch of triumph. Across languages and landscapes, faiths and cultures, the world’s largest democracy stands tall—proud, resilient, and resolute. Our unity has not merely endured; it has deepened, powering a confident nation that has grown from strength to strength.

In the past year, that unity was on full display. The nation rallied as one after the cowardly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. Operation Sindoor, launched in response, showcased both national solidarity and strategic clarity—first in neutralising terrorist infrastructure and then in firmly responding to escalations. It also became a landmark demonstration of Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence. “We have seen the wonders of Made in India in Operation Sindoor. Even the enemy was shocked at the kind of ammunition that was destroying them within seconds,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, adding that a decade of sustained focus has made India significantly more self-reliant in critical defence capabilities.

Security in a changing world demands clarity of purpose and boldness of action. The Prime Minister underlined a comprehensive doctrine—from the High-Power Demography Mission to protect national security in sensitive regions, to a generational upgrade of our strategic shield. “Under a well-thought-out conspiracy, country’s demography is being changed… This will not be tolerated,” he cautioned, announcing, “We have decided to start a ‘High-Power Demography Mission’.” On deterrence, his message was equally unequivocal: “Nuclear blackmail has been continuing for a long time, but it will no longer be tolerated… our armed forces will respond, on their own terms, at a time of their choosing.”

Looking ahead, the government is preparing Mission Sudarshan Chakra—a multi-domain push to strengthen India’s national security architecture. “In the next ten years, by 2035, I want to expand, strengthen, and modernise this national security shield… we have chosen the path of the Sudarshan Chakra,” the Prime Minister said.

This clarity on security is matched by economic momentum. With 6.5% GDP growth in the last fiscal, India remains the fastest-growing major economy. Poverty has fallen meaningfully over the decades; income inequality is reducing; regional disparities are narrowing as erstwhile laggard states show their true potential. “We have implemented major reforms across various sectors, including FDI, insurance, and opening space for the world’s top universities,” the Prime Minister noted. “More than 40,000 unnecessary compliances have been eliminated… We have ended the colonial-era criminal laws and introduced the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, a step toward justice rooted in Indian values.”

Growth with inclusion is visible in health and digital access. Ayushman Bharat now covers over 55 crore people—one of the world’s largest protection nets—while near-universal 4G connectivity has transformed opportunity in villages nationwide, with remaining pockets to be covered soon. India’s leadership in digital payments is globally recognised, and the India-AI mission signals an ambition to lead in the next frontiers of technology.

Space, too, is a canvas for India’s aspirations. “Our Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla has returned from the Space Station, a moment of great pride for the nation,” the Prime Minister said, highlighting the Gaganyaan mission and the plan for an Indian space station. His call to the youth was clear: “Step forward and contribute to this mission of national transformation.”

Energy independence forms the backbone of self-reliance. “We know that we remain dependent on many countries to meet our energy needs. But to build a truly self-reliant India, we must achieve energy independence,” the Prime Minister said. Solar capacity has multiplied, new dams are underway, and nuclear energy is being actively expanded—“with 10 new nuclear reactors currently operational,” and a target to increase nuclear capacity tenfold by 2047. Water security, too, is moving to the forefront of national debate. Questioning the Indus Waters Treaty’s legacy, he asked: “What kind of agreement is this that has caused such immense loss to our farmers for the past seven decades?”

As India strives toward developed-nation status by 2047, the centenary of Independence, the path ahead will not be without trials. The global environment is more uncertain than at any time in recent decades. Yet India’s confidence rests on firm democratic foundations. Universal adult franchise from day one was not an experiment—it was an expression of civilisational continuity. India’s ancient republics and traditions of self-governance earned her the title “mother of democracy,” and the Constitution gave modern shape to that inheritance.

The nation’s story is also one of societal commitment. “Today, I would like to proudly mention that 100 years ago, an organisation was born—Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)… In a way, RSS is the biggest NGO of the world,” the Prime Minister said, acknowledging a century of volunteer service within the broader tapestry of civil society.

India’s message to adversaries is firm, its embrace of innovation is fearless, and its commitment to inclusion is foundational. “Destruction inflicted by our armed forces in Pakistan was so widespread… India has decided that it will not tolerate nuclear threats anymore, we won’t fall for any blackmail,” the Prime Minister said. And yet, the larger canvas is constructive: strengthen institutions, unleash enterprise, modernise the state, and empower every citizen—urban and rural, young and old—to shape the future.

There is much to celebrate, and much to strive for. If 2047 is the milestone, 2025 is the momentum. Proud India is not just talking; proud India is doing—building, defending, innovating, and caring. The charge is clear, the purpose shared. With unity as our shield and aspiration as our compass, we step forward together.

Jai Hind.