Independence Day 2024 Highlights: Path of reforms is 'blueprint for growth', says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his first Independence Day speech after taking oath to office for the third time, stressed on the mission to make India a "developed nation" by 2047. The country will continue to pursue the "path of reform", and abide by the principle of bringing "ease of living" for the common citizens.

The present era is a "golden period" for the country, with the youth taking the leap towards achieving their goals in various sectors of the economy. The government is working towards matching the aspirations of the youth.

Sharing his outlook for the future, Modi said the country will continue to pursue the "path of reform", and also focus on new-age tech like artificial intelligence and semiconductors.

Independence Day 2024 LIVE Update at 9:10 am: India set to become world's third largest economy, says PM

PM Modi said the country is set to become the third-largest economy soon, Modi said, adding that he would be working with thrice his capacity to achieve the economic goals in his third term.

With this, the prime minister concluded his 11th Independence Day speech.

Independence Day 2024 LIVE Update at 9:05 am: PM bats for 'one nation, one election'

Modi, during his speech, appealed for consensus among political parties towards 'one nation, one election', saying that repeated polls at every few months leads to the government's schemes and policies being viewed from the prism of elections.

Independence Day 2024 LIVE Update at 8:47 am: Focus on climate will create green jobs, says PM Modi

The focus to achieve the climate-related targets will create scores of "green jobs", the prime minister said. India is the only country among the G20 which is successfully achieving the climate targets, Modi added.

Independence Day 2024 LIVE Update at 8:41 am: Appeal state govts to create conducive atmosphere to attract investments, says PM

Global investors are increasingly in favour of investing in India, Modi said, calling it a "golden opportunity". The state governments should create a conducive atmosphere to attract these investments, he added.

"Today, many big companies and investors of the world want to invest in India. This is a golden opportunity. I urge the State governments to make clear policies to attract investors and give assurance of good governance and law and order situation to them. There should be competition between States to attract maximum investors. Their policies should changed or molded as per global requirements," PM Modi said.

Independence Day 2024 LIVE Update at 8:37 am: Semiconductors in focus, India can provide end-to-end solution, says PM Modi

Artificial intelligence and semiconductors are in focus, and India has the capability to provide end-to-end solution for the world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.

He also pointed out that India was quick to rollout 5G internet services, and has begun preparing for 6G now.

Independence Day 2024 LIVE Update at 8:32 am: 75,000 new seats in medical education to be created in next five years, says PM Modi

Over the next five years, 75,000 new seats in medical education will be created, Prime Minister Modi announced. He pointed out that approximately 25,000 students each year move abroad to pursue medical education.

Independence Day 2024 LIVE Update at 8:27 am: From panchayat to Centre, all levels of govt should work for 'ease of living'

All levels of the government, right from the panchayat level to the Centre, should work with the mission to bring "ease of living" for the common citizens, PM Modi said.

Independence Day 2024 LIVE Update at 8:23 am: India's youth in mood to take leap, achieve new goals, says PM

"Youth of my country does not intend to walk slowly now. Youth of my country does not believe in incremental progress. Youth of my country is in the mood to take a leap, it is in the mood to leap and achieve new goals. I would like to say that this is a golden era for India. Even if we compare it to the global situation, this is a golden era...We should not let this opportunity go to waste...If we go ahead with this opportunity, with our dreams and resolutions, we will be able to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047," the prime minister said.

Independence Day 2024 LIVE Update at 8:20 am: Space sector vibrant, attracting startups, says PM

"The space sector is an important aspect. We have done many reforms in this sector. Today, many startups are entering this sector. Space sector which is becoming vibrant is an essential element towards making India a powerful nation. We are focusing and giving strength to this sector with a long-term idea," the prime minister said during his Independence Day speech.

Independence Day 2024 LIVE Update at 8:17 am: Our path of reforms is 'blueprint for growth', says PM Modi

"I would like to assure the countrymen, our commitment to reforms is not limited to pink paper editorials. Our commitment to reforms is not for a few days of appreciation. Our reform procedure is not under any compulsions, it is with the intention of strengthening the country. That is why, I can say that our path of reforms is the blueprint for growth in a way," PM Modi said.

Independence Day 2024 LIVE Update at 8:13 am: 10 crore women joined women self-help groups in last 10 years, says PM

"In last 10 years, 10 crore women joined women self-help groups. 10 crore women are becoming financially independent. When women become financially independent they become part of the decision-making system in a household leading to social change...Till now, 9 lakh crores have been given to self-help groups in the country," the prime minister said.

Independence Day 2024 LIVE Update at 8:09 am: Focussed on ease of living, building infra over past 10 years, says PM

The government, over the past decade, has focussed on providing "ease of living" and building infrastructure, PM Modi said. Crores of houses, along with several roads, highways, airports and ports have been built over the last 10 years, he added.

Independence Day 2024 LIVE Update at 8:05 am: This is India's 'golden period', says PM Modi

The present era is a "golden period" for the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, claiming that all sectors of the economy are moving ahead in an accelerated pace. With the efforts of all, the country is headed towards becoming a "developed nation" by 2047, he reiterated.

Independence Day 2024 LIVE Update at 8:00 am: India's banking sector shining, strengthening formal economy, says PM

India's banking sector is shining with a strong performance, and this in turn is strengthening the country's formal economy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said. A strong banking sector means abundant availability of loans to all the sections of the country's population, including youth, farmers and entrepreneurs, he added.

Independence Day 2024 LIVE Update at 7:53 am: Changed mindset of status quo, chose mindset of reform, says PM Modi

The common people of this country wanted the status quo to change, the prime minister said, adding that his government over the past 10 years "chose the mindset of reform" to positively impact the lives of the citizens. "Our reforms are not just a subject of a discussion for experts. It's not for political benefits either. Whatever we are doing is with the vision of 'nation first'," Modi said.

Independence Day 2024 LIVE Update at 7:42 am: India can achieve 'Viksit Bharat' mission by 2047, says PM Modi

Similar to how 40 crore Indians in the pre-Independence era united to achieve freedom, 140 crore Indians can unite to achieve the mission to become 'Viksit Bharat' or developed India by 2047, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said during his speech.

"We are proud that we carry the blood of the 40 crore people who had uprooted the colonial rule from India...Today, we are 140 crore people, if we resolve and move together in one direction, then we can become 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047 by overcoming all obstacles in the way," PM Modi said.

Independence Day 2024 LIVE Update at 7:34 am: Modi's speech begins

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has began delivering his Independence Day speech at the Red Fort in the national capital. He started his address by paying homage to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the country's freedom.

Independence Day 2024 LIVE Update at 7:30 am: PM Modi unfurls national flag at Red Fort

Prime Minister Modi has unfurled the national flag at the Red Fort. His speech from the fort's ramparts will begin shortly. Stay tuned for the updates.

Independence Day 2024 LIVE Update at 7:25 am: Prime Minister arrives at Red Fort

PM Modi has arrived at the Red Fort, where several dignitaries and other attendees are awaiting his Independence Day address. The prime minister will begin his speech from the fort's ramparts shortly.

Independence Day 2024 LIVE Update at 7:15 am: PM Modi's speech to begin shortly

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort in New Delhi is scheduled to begin at 7:30 am. Modi is expected to touch upon an array of topics, including the state of Indian economy and the policies of his government at the Centre. Stay tuned here for the latest updates.

Modi's Independence Day speech is keenly awaited as the prime minister may make key announcements related to the government's policies and outlook towards the economy.

The speech comes days after the rollout of the Union Budget for financial year 2024-25 (FY25) by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

In the budget presented on July 23, the Centre narrowed its fiscal deficit target for FY25 to 4.9%, which was lower as compared to the target of 5.1% pegged in the Interim Budget presented in February.

Ahead of his re-election in the recently contested Lok Sabha polls, Modi had claimed that India would become the "third largest economy" during his third term.

The Finance Ministry had, in January, claimed that the economy's size would increase to $5 trillion in next three years and scale the $7 trillion mark by 2030.

Currently, India is 5th largest economy, and the country's gross domestic product (GDP) is seen of the size of $3.9 trillion.