The Crossbill Team
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (August 15) marked the 79th Independence Day with a wide-ranging address from the ramparts of the Red Fort, hailing the centenary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as a “very proud and glorious” journey of the “world’s biggest NGO” and saluting its volunteers for their service to the nation.
Modi, a former RSS pracharak, said the country is built not only by governments but by the collective efforts of citizens — from saints, teachers, scientists, and farmers to soldiers, labourers, and community organisations.
“Today I want to mention one thing with great pride that 100 years ago, an organisation was born — the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. It’s 100 years of national service has been a very proud and glorious page,” he said, praising the RSS for its service, discipline, and organisational strength.
“For the past 100 years, the RSS swayamsevaks (volunteers) have been dedicating their lives to fulfil the resolve of 'vyakti nirman' (character development) and 'rashtra nirman' (nation building) for the welfare of 'matrubhoomi' (motherland),” he added.
"From the ramparts of the Red Fort today, I respectfully remember all the swayamsevaks who have contributed to these 100 years of national service,” he further said.
Early in his speech, Modi paid tribute to Hindutva ideologue Shyama Prasad Mookerjee on his birth anniversary, describing him as a champion of “One Nation, One Constitution” and someone who sacrificed his life for the Constitution in his opposition to Article 370.
The remarks came amid criticism that the Modi government has undermined constitutional principles, and praise from supporters for the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. Modi asserted his commitment to India’s constitutional framework.
Turning to economic challenges, Modi acknowledged concerns over the manufacturing sector’s slowdown, worsened by US President Donald Trump’s punitive tariffs, and announced a series of measures aimed at boosting consumption, creating jobs, and containing inflation. These include the immediate rollout of the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojana, under which first-time private-sector job seekers will receive a Rs 15,000 stipend, alongside incentives for companies to hire more workers.
He also promised “next-generation” Goods and Services Tax reforms by Diwali to ease the burden on consumers, small businesses, and manufacturers, lowering taxes on daily-use items.
On national security, Modi highlighted the success of “Operation Sindoor” against Pakistan, insisting the armed forces were given a free hand in choosing military targets.
His comments came in the wake of controversy over restrictions allegedly imposed by political leadership during the conflict. Reiterating a hard line against Pakistan, he said India will “not tolerate nuclear blackmail” and reminded Islamabad of his decision to halt Indus water flows. He also unveiled the “Mission Sudarshan Chakra” — a planned advanced weapon system designed to neutralise enemy attacks and strike back — with a nationwide security shield to be in place by 2035.
Modi also announced a “high-powered demographic mission” to counter what he called a “well-thought-out conspiracy” to alter India’s demographic balance through illegal immigration, targeting “ghushpathiya” (undocumented immigrants). This came against the backdrop of reported police crackdowns on Bengali-speaking Muslim migrant workers in major cities.
He further claimed that two crore women had become “lakhpati didis” under his government’s schemes, with some present at the event. Stressing “atmanirbharta” (self-reliance) and “vocal for local,” he reaffirmed support for farmers, livestock keepers, and fishermen, vowing to block any policy that harms their interests.
He cited ongoing initiatives in solar, hydrogen, and nuclear energy, as well as advances in space exploration and critical minerals, as steps toward strengthening India’s economic and strategic independence.
While Modi projected confidence in India’s progress, government data shows that manufacturing’s share of GDP has fallen from 17.5% to 12.6% over the past decade, its lowest since 1960 — casting doubt on the scale of the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” achievements he championed in his speech.
Nonetheless, he called for political unity in pursuing self-reliance, saying, “India will never compromise when it comes to protecting the interests of our people.”
Modi, a former RSS pracharak, said the country is built not only by governments but by the collective efforts of citizens — from saints, teachers, scientists, and farmers to soldiers, labourers, and community organisations.
“Today I want to mention one thing with great pride that 100 years ago, an organisation was born — the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. It’s 100 years of national service has been a very proud and glorious page,” he said, praising the RSS for its service, discipline, and organisational strength.
“For the past 100 years, the RSS swayamsevaks (volunteers) have been dedicating their lives to fulfil the resolve of 'vyakti nirman' (character development) and 'rashtra nirman' (nation building) for the welfare of 'matrubhoomi' (motherland),” he added.
"From the ramparts of the Red Fort today, I respectfully remember all the swayamsevaks who have contributed to these 100 years of national service,” he further said.
Early in his speech, Modi paid tribute to Hindutva ideologue Shyama Prasad Mookerjee on his birth anniversary, describing him as a champion of “One Nation, One Constitution” and someone who sacrificed his life for the Constitution in his opposition to Article 370.
The remarks came amid criticism that the Modi government has undermined constitutional principles, and praise from supporters for the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. Modi asserted his commitment to India’s constitutional framework.
Turning to economic challenges, Modi acknowledged concerns over the manufacturing sector’s slowdown, worsened by US President Donald Trump’s punitive tariffs, and announced a series of measures aimed at boosting consumption, creating jobs, and containing inflation. These include the immediate rollout of the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojana, under which first-time private-sector job seekers will receive a Rs 15,000 stipend, alongside incentives for companies to hire more workers.
He also promised “next-generation” Goods and Services Tax reforms by Diwali to ease the burden on consumers, small businesses, and manufacturers, lowering taxes on daily-use items.
On national security, Modi highlighted the success of “Operation Sindoor” against Pakistan, insisting the armed forces were given a free hand in choosing military targets.
His comments came in the wake of controversy over restrictions allegedly imposed by political leadership during the conflict. Reiterating a hard line against Pakistan, he said India will “not tolerate nuclear blackmail” and reminded Islamabad of his decision to halt Indus water flows. He also unveiled the “Mission Sudarshan Chakra” — a planned advanced weapon system designed to neutralise enemy attacks and strike back — with a nationwide security shield to be in place by 2035.
Modi also announced a “high-powered demographic mission” to counter what he called a “well-thought-out conspiracy” to alter India’s demographic balance through illegal immigration, targeting “ghushpathiya” (undocumented immigrants). This came against the backdrop of reported police crackdowns on Bengali-speaking Muslim migrant workers in major cities.
He further claimed that two crore women had become “lakhpati didis” under his government’s schemes, with some present at the event. Stressing “atmanirbharta” (self-reliance) and “vocal for local,” he reaffirmed support for farmers, livestock keepers, and fishermen, vowing to block any policy that harms their interests.
He cited ongoing initiatives in solar, hydrogen, and nuclear energy, as well as advances in space exploration and critical minerals, as steps toward strengthening India’s economic and strategic independence.
While Modi projected confidence in India’s progress, government data shows that manufacturing’s share of GDP has fallen from 17.5% to 12.6% over the past decade, its lowest since 1960 — casting doubt on the scale of the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” achievements he championed in his speech.
Nonetheless, he called for political unity in pursuing self-reliance, saying, “India will never compromise when it comes to protecting the interests of our people.”
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