PM Modi's Independence Day Speech: Reflections on 2014 and 2019 Post-Election Speeches at the Red Fort

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver the 11th Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort. He is the third Prime Minister after Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi to deliver 11 I Day speeches.

All eyes will be on the Red Fort on August 15, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivers his first speech after the BJP-led NDA came to power at the Center for the third consecutive time. There are reports that Prime Minister Modi's speech may include “Viksit Bharat” and making India a developed country by 2047, in addition to providing reassurance to the country's citizens amid turbulent neighboring countries.

Ever since Modi delivered his first Independence Day speech at the Red Fort in 2014, it has been seen as a ritual for the prime minister to tell the nation about what his government has done and its vision for the future. This is the third Independence Day speech delivered by Prime Minister Modi after winning the Lok Sabha elections.

Here are the highlights of his I-Day speeches in 2014 and 2019 after the BJP won the Lok Sabha elections:

Summary of Prime Minister Modi's 2014 Independence Day Speech

On August 15, 2014, Prime Minister Modi delivered his first Independence Day speech as Prime Minister of India from the ramparts of the Red Fort. India, Make in India laid the foundation, Planning Commission became Niti Aayog, Swachch Bharat, Beti Bachaao Beti Padhaao and many more such schemes of his government set new aspirations for the country and its people.

Here are key quotes from Modi’s 2014 Independence Day speech:

• I am not here as pradhan mantri (prime minister) but as pradhan sevak (prime minister serving the country).
• This country was not founded by politicians, kings or governments. It was created by farmers, workers, youth, our mothers and sisters. Our country has progressed because of the efforts of all these people.
• I promised Indians that I would develop India. This is what I say while standing under the tricolor flag.
• I want to ask every parent, you ask your daughter, “Where are you going and who are you going with?” But have you ever asked your son these questions? After all, the rapist is also someone else's son. Everyone is busy expressing their own psychological opinions on rape.
• I appeal to doctors not to kill girls in their mothers’ wombs. I asked the parents not to kill the girl because they wanted a son. Indian athletes did our country proud at the Commonwealth Games. 29 Indian women won medals at the CWG.
• Come on, make it in India. We have the ability. Companies from all industries are invited. I invite our youth to participate in manufacturing to ensure that products around the world are labeled “Made in India”. Why do we import stuff when we have such capable young citizens? Of all the things we import, I will ensure that we start producing at least one of them in India.
• The world once thought of us as a land of snake charmers and black magic. But our young people are astonishing the world with their IT skills. I dream of a digital India. We want to drive the growth of Digital India. We hope to achieve good governance through e-government. Electronic government means easy governance and effective governance. We must move towards “Digital India”.
• When I became Prime Minister, one of the first tasks I took on was cleaning. People were surprised. If we keep our country clean then no one can destroy it from outside. I don’t know if people will appreciate me talking about the dirt and toilets at the Red Fort, but I come from a poor family. All schools should have toilets. Schools should have separate toilets. I urge all councilors to spend a year's funding building toilets. In 2019, ensuring cleanliness will be the most fitting tribute to Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary. Gandhi emphasized cleanliness. We should ensure that every road, school, office, district and community is clean.
• There has been much speculation about the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission was established based on the needs of the country at that time. The country has changed, and so have the needs. Times have changed since the Planning Commission was formed. If we want to move the country forward, we have to move the states forward. Sometimes it costs a lot of money to renovate an old house, but we're still not satisfied, so we might as well build a new one. To create a partnership between the Center and the State and to strengthen our country, we will soon be creating a new agency.

Highlights of Prime Minister Modi's Independence Day Speech 2019

In 2019, after the BJP's resounding victory in the Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech talked about abrogating Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and criminalizing triple talaq. He also set out new ambitions for India – to become a $5 trillion economy. Prime Minister Modi in his 2019 I-Day speech also announced India's decision to appoint a Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) to lead all three defense forces.

Popular quotes from Prime Minister Modi’s I-Day 2019 speech:

• While 2014-2019 was a time for your basic needs to be met, 2019 and the years beyond will see your wishes and dreams come true. What should India look like in the 21st century? How fast should it move? How wide is it, what role should it play, what heights should it strive for – we are taking step after step to develop a roadmap for the next five years, keeping all of this in mind.
• We started with the Sabka Saath-Sabka Vikas mantra, but within five years fellow citizens had been painted in the colors of Sabka Vishwas the mood of the entire country. Everyone's trust and confidence in us over the past five years will inspire us to serve the country with greater enthusiasm.
• You will see how our Muslim daughters and sisters used to live in fear with the sword of triple talaq hanging over their heads. Even if they are not victims of triple talaq, they are constantly haunted by the fear that they may be affected by it at any time. Many Islamic states have long since abolished this vice. But for some reason, we are hesitant to give Muslim mothers and sisters their due rights. If we can abolish Sati Pratha, if we can enact laws to end the practice of abortion, if we can speak out against child marriage, if we can take strong steps against the dowry system in this country, then why can't we speak out against triple talaq?
• Again, let me give you another example. What are the reasons for revoking Section 370 and Section 35A? This is the hallmark of this administration. We will not avoid problems or let them fester. There is no time to delay or ignore problems. The work that had not been completed in the past 70 years was completed within 70 days after the new government came to power.
• It is our responsibility to ensure that the aspirations of the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh are fulfilled. It is our shared responsibility to give new wings to their dreams. This responsibility must be borne by all our 1.3 billion compatriots. To fulfill this commitment, we work hard to remove any obstacles in our way.
• Today, as I address the nation from the Red Fort, I can proudly say that every Indian today can talk about “One Nation, One Constitution” and we are working towards the realization of Sardar Sahib's “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” dream.
• How does every household obtain water and pure drinking water? I announced today at the Red Fort that in the days to come, we will continue to advance the 'Jal-Jeevan' mission. The central and state governments will jointly work towards this 'Jal-Jeevan' mission.
• The country's population explosion will cause all kinds of problems for future generations. People who practice the small family policy also contribute to the development of the country, which is also a form of patriotism. Social awareness is needed in the country.
• From 2014 to 2019, we became a $3 trillion economy. Prior to that, over the past 70 years, the country's economy was $2 trillion. We've added $1 trillion to the economy in just five years. Now we are looking forward to making the country a $5 trillion economy.
• We have decided to create the post of Chief of Defense Staff. This will be an important step.
• On October 2nd, let’s pledge to rid our country of single-use plastics. On Diwali, let us give cloth bags to people instead of plastic bags. This will also be an advertisement for your company.