Narendra Modi unveils self-reliance framework on India's 80th Independence Day

During India's 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered his thirteenth consecutive address to the nation. A central theme of the speech was the unveiling of ‘Shakti Ki Saptadhara’, a framework identifying seven key strengths for national self-reliance: manufacturing, agriculture and food processing, technology and innovation, connectivity, defense production, green energy, and the Blue Economy.

To support these goals, Modi announced several initiatives, including artificial intelligence training for ten million young Indians, a target of 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047, and the establishment of seven to eight new semiconductor plants within two years. He also introduced the ‘Samudra Manthan’ initiative to open former offshore ‘no-go areas’ for deep-sea exploration.

In a more controversial segment of the speech, the Prime Minister warned against what he termed ‘dimagi Naxals’ or ‘intellectual Naxals’. He urged citizens to identify and isolate those he accused of possessing a Naxal mindset and attempting to influence government policy from within the system.