Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation on the 80th Independence Day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation after hoisting the national flag at the Red Fort in Delhi on the 80th Independence Day.Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation on 80th Independence Day. (Youtube/Narendra Modi)PM Modi began his speech by remembering the "ultimate sacrifice" of the "great sons and daughters" in the freedom struggle. "With freedom as the sole objective, they devoted their entire lives to sacrifice and struggle," he said.He went to pay tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and said, “I respectfully salute revered Bapu and all the freedom fighters, as well as the great revolutionaries who inspired this glorious tradition of sacrifice.”Vande Matram echoing from Red Fort a historic momentThis year's event marked 150 years of 'Vande Mataram', with the National Song rendered during the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort for the first time.Commemorating the moment, PM Modi said, "For everyone present at this ceremony today, this is also a historic moment. For the first time since Independence, Vande Mataram is echoing from the Red Fort on August 15."Will make India a developed nation by 2047The prime minister vowed to make India a developed nation by 2047 and said the country is dreaming big to touch new heights. "The world will be forced to look at India differently when most populous country becomes a developed nation.""India cannot march forward in 21st century by relying on laws of previous century. Our success shows resolve of Viksit Bharat in 2047 cannot remain unfulfilled," he said.Make India atmanirbharUrging the country to work towards becoming atmanirbhar or self-reliant, PM Modi said India cannot remain dependent on other nations. He hailed citizen's efforts in the direction and said people were aligning themselves with spirit of "vocal for local".The prime minister announced the launch of a major semiconductor programme, aimed at making India self-reliant. "Three semiconductor plants have already begun operations, and I have been told that the production taking place there has already started being exported."Giving a timeline on the project, he said, "I want to tell the people of India that in the coming seven to eight years, another five to eight semiconductor plants are going to become operational very soon.""This Aatmanirbhar Bharat is the highway towards a developed India," said PM Modi.The Independence Day 2026 highlights the role of 'Yuva Shakti' in India's journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047. State capitals and cities across India are also holding ceremonial events, including flag-hoisting and cultural performances.Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs.