Modi's Shortest I-Day Speech in Four Years: 75 Minutes, 'Sapta Dhara' Framework, Vande Mataram's Red Fort Debut

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked India's 80th Independence Day with his 13th consecutive address from the Red Fort on Saturday, delivering a 75-minute speech — his shortest in four years, well short of last year's 103-minute address.

This year's ceremony carried the theme 'Yuva Shakti for Viksit Bharat@2047', with a 21-gun salute and, for the first time in the event's history, a rendition of Vande Mataram as part of the proceedings, marking 150 years since the song was written. The government also introduced AI-powered live translation of the address into regional languages.

Modi outlined a seven-point 'Sapta Dhara' framework, laying out areas he described as central to India's next phase of development. He also referenced recent flood and landslide damage in parts of the country, assuring affected families of government support.

The address was attended by senior ministers, the Chief Justice of India, the Chief Election Commissioner and the National Security Advisor, among others.