ISSUE
Friday, August 15, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 72
Delivering his first Independence Day speech at the Red Fort in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, described himself as the country's "Pradhan Sevak".
"I stand before you today not as the prime minister but as the pradhan sevak," he said at the start of his speech. "Many, many greetings from the Pradhan Sevak."
Red Fort witnessed a historic moment when country’s most popular Prime Minister delivered first impromptu PM speech on 68th India Independence Day.
For the first time in Indian history, an impromptu speech was given by a Prime Minister on the Independence Day. Traditionally, Prime ministers deliver a pre-written speech on Independence Day. But Modi is known for his impromptu speech. He also avoided any bullet-proof glass or shield.
Modi hailed Indian democracy for allowing a person from "an ordinary family" to assume the country's top post.
"It is a tribute to Indian democracy" that a person from "a poor family, an ordinary family is today addressing the nation from the Red Fort," he said.
Modi described himself as "an outsider to Delhi".
"I am an outsider to Delhi. But an outsider came to Delhi and got an insider view," Modi said.
"I was surprised," he went on. "What I am saying is not about politics."
Modi also despaired that after becoming the prime minister in May he had realized that "even in one government there were different governments.
"It was as if each had their own jagirs (fiefdom)."
Modi saluted all those who sacrificed their lives during the freedom struggle.
"I salute all those who sacrificed themselves for India's freedom," Modi said.
"The struggle for freedom went on for years, generations sacrificed their lives even at the prime of their youth."
Modi urged Indians to give up the "poison" of casteism and communalism and embrace unity for the country's progress.
Addressing the nation, the prime minister said it was a shame that caste and communal politics continued even so many years after independence.
"How long will this continue? We have fought enough, we have killed enough. Turn back and see, has anyone gained anything?"
The prime minister urged people to give up, at least for 10 years, caste and communal politics.
"Peace, unity, brotherhood should take over. Only these will help us to march ahead," he said
Delivering his first Independence Day speech at the Red Fort in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, described himself as the country's "Pradhan Sevak".
"I stand before you today not as the prime minister but as the pradhan sevak," he said at the start of his speech. "Many, many greetings...
Delivering his first Independence Day speech at the Red Fort in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, described himself as the country's "Pradhan Sevak".
"I stand before you today not as the prime minister but as the pradhan sevak," he said at the start of his speech. "Many, many greetings from the Pradhan Sevak."
Red Fort witnessed a historic moment when country’s most popular Prime Minister delivered first impromptu PM speech on 68th India Independence Day.
For the first time in Indian history, an impromptu speech was given by a Prime Minister on the Independence Day. Traditionally, Prime ministers deliver a pre-written speech on Independence Day. But Modi is known for his impromptu speech. He also avoided any bullet-proof glass or shield.
Modi hailed Indian democracy for allowing a person from "an ordinary family" to assume the country's top post.
"It is a tribute to Indian democracy" that a person from "a poor family, an ordinary family is today addressing the nation from the Red Fort," he said.
Modi described himself as "an outsider to Delhi".
"I am an outsider to Delhi. But an outsider came to Delhi and got an insider view," Modi said.
"I was surprised," he went on. "What I am saying is not about politics."
Modi also despaired that after becoming the prime minister in May he had realized that "even in one government there were different governments.
"It was as if each had their own jagirs (fiefdom)."
Modi saluted all those who sacrificed their lives during the freedom struggle.
"I salute all those who sacrificed themselves for India's freedom," Modi said.
"The struggle for freedom went on for years, generations sacrificed their lives even at the prime of their youth."
Modi urged Indians to give up the "poison" of casteism and communalism and embrace unity for the country's progress.
Addressing the nation, the prime minister said it was a shame that caste and communal politics continued even so many years after independence.
"How long will this continue? We have fought enough, we have killed enough. Turn back and see, has anyone gained anything?"
The prime minister urged people to give up, at least for 10 years, caste and communal politics.
"Peace, unity, brotherhood should take over. Only these will help us to march ahead," he said
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