Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address from the Red Fort on Saturday, outlined “Shakti Ki Saptadhara”, describing seven key streams that he said can drive India’s next phase of growth and strengthen its journey towards self-reliance and development.

The seven streams identified by the Prime Minister are manufacturing, farming, technology, Gatishakti, Raksha Shakti, green and blue economy, and soft power.

Calling on the country to focus on these areas, PM Modi said the seven streams represent India’s strength and can help the country become more self-reliant.

Manufacturing as the engine of growth

PM Modi called manufacturing the first stream of Saptadhara and stressed the need to significantly strengthen the sector.

He said India needs to produce both components and complete products and should emerge as a key destination in global supply chains.

The Prime Minister highlighted cost, quality and scale as important factors for Indian manufacturers to compete globally. He also stressed the importance of attractive packaging and precision in manufacturing.

Farming and food processing

Agriculture and food processing were identified as the second stream.

PM Modi said global markets are increasingly accessible to Indian farmers and called for greater efforts to take agricultural products from farms to international markets.

He highlighted traditional foods, millets, spices, fruits and vegetables, saying these products should be developed into global brands.

Technology and innovation

Technology and innovation form the third stream of Saptadhara, according to PM Modi.

He highlighted areas such as data centres, robotics and emerging technologies, saying India should aim to become a hub for these sectors.

Referring to the country’s experience with UPI and Digital Public Infrastructure, PM Modi said India has already demonstrated its technological capabilities and must now take the next leap in next-generation communication technology.

He also spoke about the goal of Made-in-India 6G reaching across the country.

Gatishakti and faster connectivity

The fourth stream is Gatishakti, with the Prime Minister stressing the importance of speed and connectivity for India’s growth.

PM Modi called for greater emphasis on roads and expressways to support businesses and said the country needs seamless, high-speed connectivity.

He also highlighted high-speed rail connectivity between cities and port-led development as areas requiring greater focus.

Raksha Shakti and self-reliant defence

Defence is the fifth stream of Saptadhara.

PM Modi called for greater self-reliance in defence manufacturing and highlighted the need to develop advanced technologies in the sector.

He particularly stressed the importance of drone and counter-drone technology, saying India needs to invest in these areas.

The Prime Minister also said India should move beyond being a market for defence equipment and work towards becoming a global supplier by developing next-generation defence technologies.

Green and blue economy

Green energy forms the sixth stream of Saptadhara.

PM Modi called for greater innovation in green energy and said India should aim for global leadership in green hydrogen, renewable energy and energy storage while continuing to contribute solutions to global challenges.

He also highlighted opportunities in the Blue Economy, particularly in fisheries, coastal tourism and ocean technology, saying these areas can create new pathways for India’s growth.

Soft power

Soft power is the seventh stream identified by PM Modi.

He cited Yoga, handicrafts, films, animation, gaming, digital content and the creative sector as examples of India’s soft power.

The Prime Minister also highlighted India’s potential to attract global tourists and called for greater focus on the country’s tourism opportunities, including its national parks and other attractions.

With “Shakti Ki Saptadhara”, PM Modi outlined a broad growth framework covering manufacturing and agriculture, emerging technology, connectivity, defence, sustainable energy, the blue economy and India’s cultural and creative influence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called on Indians to dream big and work with a strong resolve to achieve bigger goals, as he addressed the nation from the Red Fort on Independence Day.

“Dream big to achieve big,” the Prime Minister said, stressing that when a nation sets ambitious goals and remains determined, it makes greater efforts to turn those aspirations into reality.

PM Modi confident of Viksit Bharat by 2047

Expressing confidence in India’s development journey, PM Modi said the country is dreaming of scaling new heights and will turn its vision of “Viksit Bharat” into reality by 2047.

He said the goal has to be achieved collectively by all Indians and added that accomplishing it would demonstrate the country’s courage and change how the world views India.

The Prime Minister also acknowledged the contribution of different sections of society to the country’s development journey. He said Dalits, the oppressed, poor, middle class and youth have contributed to efforts to take India to new heights.

According to PM Modi, these efforts have helped more than 25 crore people move out of poverty.

He said every Indian is making efforts in their own way to take the country forward and acknowledged their contribution.

‘Dream big and achieve big’

PM Modi said the ability to dream big and achieve bigger goals is a defining feature of what he described as the “new India”.

He said the world has taken note of India’s efforts and emphasised that a strong resolve helps people find ways to overcome challenges and problems.

The Prime Minister said determination should remain strong and that India must continue working towards its goals despite difficulties.

PM Modi stresses self-reliance and ‘Vocal for Local’

Highlighting the importance of aatmanirbharta, or self-reliance, PM Modi said India should not remain dependent on other countries.

He called for a commitment to swadeshi, self-reliance and “Vocal for Local”, while stressing the need to improve and protect the country’s capabilities.

Earlier on Saturday, PM Modi paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat before reaching the Red Fort for the Independence Day celebrations.

This year’s Independence Day celebrations also saw Vande Mataram being played at the Red Fort for the first time since Independence.

India is celebrating its 80th Independence Day on Saturday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the national celebrations from the historic Red Fort in Delhi.

Upon his arrival at the Red Fort, the national song Vande Mataram was rendered at the venue for the first time during the Independence Day celebrations.

Prime Minister Modi then hoisted the National Flag, following which the National Anthem was sung. The flag hoisting was synchronised with a 21-gun salute, while two Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force showered flower petals.

The celebrations this year also focus on Yuva Shakti, recognising the contribution of India’s young population towards building a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

PM Modi addresses nation from Red Fort

Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Prime Minister Modi said that Vande Mataram was echoing from the historic venue for the first time since Independence.

The Prime Minister also referred to the severe floods and landslides witnessed in parts of the country in recent days. He said the disasters had affected many families and assured those affected that the entire nation stood firmly with them.

PM Modi said a nation becomes great when it progresses on the strength of its resolve and capabilities.

The 80th Independence Day celebrations thus brought together the traditional ceremonial elements at the Red Fort with a focus on India’s youth and the country’s long-term development vision.