India to become a developed nation by 2047: PM Modi

NEW DELHI, Aug 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called on the people of India to dream bigger and work with determination to realise the vision of a developed nation by 2047, saying that the country can no longer afford to move ahead with small dreams.

Addressing the nation from the historic Red Fort on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day, Modi extended his warm greetings to citizens and said the entire country was moving forward with a renewed sense of enthusiasm, resolve and confidence.

"All of us are celebrating the 80th Independence Day. Today, the heartbeat of every heart is echoing with the chant of 'VandeMataram'," the Prime Minister said.

He noted that the Tricolour was flying at homes across the country and had a place in the hearts and minds of the people. Modi also described the recitation of the full rendition of 'VandeMataram' at the Red Fort for the first time since Independence as a historic moment.

The Prime Minister began his address by paying tribute to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for India's Independence. He respectfully remembered Mahatma Gandhi and the revolutionaries who dedicated their lives to the freedom struggle.

Emphasising the importance of ambition and determination in a nation's progress, Modi said a country becomes great when it moves forward on the strength of its dreams, resolve and capabilities.

"We can no longer proceed with small dreams. We must have big dreams, because big dreams expand our thinking; they broaden our horizon," he said.

The Prime Minister stressed that India's resolve to become a developed nation by 2047 was one such ambitious national dream. He expressed confidence that the vision of 'Viksit Bharat' would be achieved and said the world would closely watch the world's most populous country as it worked towards becoming a developed nation.

Modi highlighted India's economic transformation, saying the country had moved from being part of the "Fragile Five" to becoming a major and fast-growing economy.

"We were in the Fragile Five. Now we are a major and fast-growing economy. We could not push ourselves earlier. We were stuck," he said.

Highlighting India's progress across various sectors, the Prime Minister said defence production had increased four times in the last 12 years, while production by Khadi and Gramodyog had grown five times. Electronic manufacturing, he said, had increased seven times, mobile phone production had risen by 33 per cent, and digital transactions had grown by 100 per cent.

Modi hoisted the National Flag at the Red Fort, with the ceremony synchronised with a 21-gun salute fired by the gunners of the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial).�"Z NEWS