In 2014 and before that Modi spoke about "Neo-Middleclass" .... then came Aspirational India and in 2026 ... he urged corporate India to increase the global footprint

As usual, he played it smart. Some key messages were subtle. 

But Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech - his consecutive 13th - set out a larger goal for Indian companies.  

"Why shouldn’t 50 of those Fortune 500 companies be from India in the coming decade?,"  he said. This is more than a rhetoric. It is unleashing of a new ambition and new target. 

The state of world is in flux. War and conflicts seem are the order of the day and amid these situations and challenges - Economy is going to he he real and big -- killing and also surviving' - factor. In times to come; these words from the Prime Minister would be cherished. 

Normally, Independence Day speech of an incumbent Prime Minister are used to primarily project the developmental projects and to celebrate the present. 

Under pressure due to fli-flop at Jantar Mantar and a setback to his image; Modi deliberately moved away in his 75 minute speech from what has been achieved.

He focused on what must achieve in future. For him, the future is never the coming decade or so. Hence, he spoke about 2047 - that is a future Bharat after as many as 21 years. A four-year-old today would turn 25 in 2047 and a 20-year-old GenZ will be 41 by then.  But the Prime Minister is firm about one thing -- nation first. India and Bharat will persist but it has to be aware of the changing dynamics. Did readers miss a point that he skipped naming countries like Pakistan and did not even mention 'our western neighbour' or Padosi.  

He has kept his eyes on the ball. Modi knows the art of the games being played at the local level by protagonists such as Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.  Of course, by not reacting to Pakistan president and others - he has in effect snubbed both Rawalpindi and Islamabad. 

He has able to show Pakistan its place. His veiled missive was - my four-day programme vis-a-vis Operation Sindoor has kept you where you are and your landslide journey will continue further. 

Modi has bigger things in mind. One of them is growth of Indian companies; and the other one is enhanced Defence production and to emerge as a global supplier. Here comes the diplomacy; Team Modi is pursuing and which cannot be understood by immature (college student mindset) of Rahul Gandhi.  

 

India is now world's fourth largest economy - with or without Rahul's approval or this is much beyond the understanding of Sandeep Dikshit. 

 

Under Narendra Modi, India’s ties with Israel have taken on a different character.

Certainly, it is a political and diplomatic shift. Palestine is not bothering Modi at all. Hence, he has taken the ties with Isreal at the strategic and and defence level.  New Delhi had primarily been a major customer of Israeli weapons. But, through joint ventures and manufacturing partnerships, it is now a “significant contributor” to Israel’s weapons production.

There is an evolution of India’s role. India was now a key part of Israel’s weapons supply chain.  

 

Indian companies, including state-owned enterprises, have delivered drone warheads, artillery shell casings, small arms parts and military vehicle components to Israeli military suppliers. 

There is also perhaps a support for Israel by Modi’s voter base.  

Do people fear any ideological confluence between Hindutva and Zionism ?

About 12 years back; that in 2014 or before that Modi spoke about “neo-middle class”. This has been an aspiring category.

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How do we look at the nei-Middleclass ?

This group around 2014 was certainly imbued with forms of intense Hindu religiosity.

Everywhere in India, plebeians who experience some upward social mobility, especially when they come from “a low-caste background, adhere more strongly to the ritualistic forms of Hindu practice” (Middle-Class Moralities: Everyday Struggle over Belonging and Prestige in India, M. Saavala, 2010).

Saavala attributesd this attitude to a new form of Sanskritisation. 

In Gujarat, it had developed at the expense of caste-oriented identities.

Bigger question asked was -- Can caste identities be submerged in a new sense of belonging to a “neo-middle class” among the urban OBCs ?

Can they be identified with Modi-the-former-chaiwala, who promises jobs?  (2014 context)

And whether Hindu majoritarianism prevailed more, perhaps further eroding caste divisions? 

ends 

Journalism often gives "unsavoury taste of the future" :::: 'Idiot Box' kicked up 'idiots' among intellectuals - the glib talkers - those who spoke 'anglicised Hindi' :::: But Amitab Bachchan's KBC was something extra ordinary

'Kaun Banege Crorepati - KBC was the first non-fiction show to make it to the 9 pm slot. 

Prior to that  - we had 'soap opera'. Even prior to that a few Doordarshan serials were pretty good. 

'Buniyad' was among my favourites. It dealt with the theme of partition. 'Udaan' was another winner. This was about the story of a success preceded by principled fight and hardwork of a cop - Kalyani. No, thankfully it was not based on the life and times of Kiran Bedi.  

When KBC came Amitabh's career was on the slide. 

Siddharth Basu, India's original Quiz Master - was the man behind the questions in KBC too. As the show went successfully for first few months - one evening we met Siddhart Basu in Delhi's famous mutual admiration club - IIC. 

As an Amitabh fan - I quickly asked him during cocktails - "How did you feel being second Prakash Mehra, reviving Big B's career"? He smiled - I remember most of girl friends in Shillong and Kohima fell for that one.  

Around the same time - Basu told 'India Today' : -  "It is not just another quiz game. It's really about human drama. About hope and disappointment". The sentence appeared well rehearsed by PR guys. 

Nevertheless, "lock kar doon" or "Computer ji Lock Kar dia jae" - were the new phrases popularised by Amitabh. The power of it was intoxicating and perhaps as 'influential' - as he had told his father (Dilip Kumar) in "Shakti" -- 

"Aap ka ye baat bhi mein yaad rakhonga". 

That too was Gen Z factors of that era. 

KBC in Star TV had given run for money competitions to Zee's popular serials - 'Amanat', 'Koshish' and 'Mehndi Tere Naam Ki'.

Sony had —'Heena'—and Star none.

Kavita Chaudhary played cop Kalyani in DD-serial 'Udaan'

She was also famous as "Lalitaji" for an ad.  Kavita Chaudhary became a household name across India in the late 1980s by playing "Lalitaji," the iconic, no-nonsense housewife in Hindustan Unilever's commercials for Surf detergent.

**

Unlike Zee and Sony, viewers believed 'Star TV' has been seen as an upmarket channel catering only to the English-speaking elite. In media circles around that time - ex IAS officer's daughters and sons - also became TV journalists and anchors. NDTV and Star TV News - belonged to well connected jugadu children. 

There were Deepraj Dutts and Rain Desais.  

Around the time, Sumantra Datta, who handled advertising and sales in Star TV said - 

"The channel realised that it needed a unique differentiator. A killer programme with killer content."  

KBC based on UK-based Celedor -run 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire' became instant hit across as many as 26 countries. 

Zee TV was frustrated, and it tried 'Jackpot Jeeto' with Anupam Kher and Manisha Koirala. It failed. 

Before the show was on screen - Anupam Kher played 'Amitabh' of real life. "I will go to Amitabh and take his blessings just as Amit ji had gone to Hemvati Bahuguna before contesting and winning Allahabad election". 

Many years later, other ambitious stars in Bollywood also tried their luck with KBC. It failed again.  

Back to 2000 - when 'India Today' reported : 

"Call it experiment, call it strategy. The fact is that business is all about bottom lines. 

To recover the money spent, Star is targeting to sell a maximum of 10 minutes advertising time in every hour-long episode. It expects to recover Rs 15 lakh a minute which adds up to Rs 1.5 crore an episode and a grand total of Rs 195 crore for the 130 episodes. 

Considering that the entire expenditure on KBC is Rs 75 crore, that makes Star TV the real crorepati with a profit of Rs 120 crore." 

In circa 2000, I was deputed by the Press Trust of India (PTI) for a month-long Defence Correspondents' Course (DCC- 2000). Nearly 40 of us went around Indore, Mhow, Jodhpur, Srinagar and Mumbai for interaction and to get on-field experience of functioning of Army, Air Force and Naval officers. 

Virtually in every camp and every mess during dinner - KBC would be on the large screen and military officials and all others would be discussing the quiz programme.   

"We must move towards becoming a global supplier in Defence" ::::: English Transcripts of key parts of PM Narendra Modi's Independence Day speech - Aug 15, 2026 (This was Namo's 13th Independence Day speech)

PM Narendra Modi said:

"We have succeeded in eliminating armed Naxals from the forests and liberating the country from that menace. 

However, while the armed Naxals are gone, the mental (Dimagi) Naxals  remain, and these mental Naxals are on the lookout for an opportunity. They are looking for ways of violence and anarchy." 

"They (Dimagi Naxals) are resorting to various tactics to drag society onto the wrong path. 

"We must identify these mental Naxals, isolate them, and steer the nation’s youth toward the mainstream effort of transforming India into a developed nation."

"We are moving towards prosperity, but the road to prosperity passes through security. Over the past 11 years, we have worked with full dedication for national security, defending the nation, and for the safety of its citizens. 

"We have succeeded in bringing about change. The country knows that vast tribal areas of our nation had, for many decades, been blood-soaked in the grip of Naxalism and Maoism. 

"The greatest suffering was endured by my tribal families—tribal mothers and sisters lost their bright, promising children; young sons were lured onto the wrong path, misled, and their lives destroyed. 

We took firm and decisive action. 

There was a time when Naxalism had taken root in more than 125 districts. Our tribal areas and youth were caught in the clutches of Maoism."

"Today, we have reduced that number from over 125 districts to merely 20. This is the greatest service we have rendered to our tribal communities. There was a time when the name of Bastar evoked the sounds of Maoist and Naxalite bombs and guns. 

"Today, after being freed from Maoism and Naxalism, Bastar’s youth participate in the Olympics; thousands of young people, shouting “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”, enter the sports field, and the entire atmosphere brims with enthusiasm. 

"The nation is witnessing this transformation. 

"Regions once known as the “Red Corridor” are now becoming corridors of green development. This is a matter of pride for us. In those parts of Bharat's map once stained red with blood, we have now hoisted the tricolour of the Constitution, the rule of law, and development."

"Over the past 12 years, defence production has increased nearly fourfold. Production by the Khadi and Village Industries sector has increased nearly fivefold. 

Electronics manufacturing has increased nearly sevenfold. Production of modern railway coaches has increased 21 times. Mobile phone production has increased 35 times. And that is not all. Keeping pace with the modern era, we have also made our mark in the world of digital technology and innovation. 

"The number of internet users and consumers has increased nearly fourfold. The number of patents granted has increased fourfold. Digital transactions have increased 100 times. 

"We have also worked with equal seriousness to improve the everyday lives of ordinary citizens. Every year, we have provided tap-water connections at an average rate 15 times faster than before. 

"Gas connections have been provided at an average rate six times faster each year. The construction of toilets for the poor has progressed at four times the annual rate. 

"The pace of providing homes to the poor has increased threefold each year."   

"Over the past 12 years, crores of citizens of the country, whether dalits, oppressed, deprived, tribal communities, people living in villages or cities, the poor, the middle class, the youth, the elderly, women or men, whether from the North, South, East, or West, everyone has made every possible effort to take the nation to new heights with determination and dedication. 

"I respectfully acknowledge and honour their efforts. And it is the result of these efforts that 25 crore citizens have overcome poverty and risen out of poverty in such a short period. 

It is also the result of the efforts of these citizens that we were once counted among the Fragile Five, but within 12 years, we have become a major economy and the fastest-growing major economy."   

"The entire technology sector is dependent on critical minerals. Bharat is working to secure itself in this area as well. We have shared the target for critical minerals and launched the National Critical Minerals Mission. 

In the Budget, we announced the ‘Critical Minerals Corridor’. Agreements are being signed with several countries, and many countries around the world are now beginning to place their trust in Bharat in the field of critical minerals."  

"The fifth strength of Sapt Dhara is ‘Raksha Shakti’ (defence power). And the importance of this ‘Raksha Shakti’ is immense in every respect.

"Bharat has now experienced this, and the world has experienced it as well: there is no alternative to being self-reliant in defence. 

"When countries around the world are increasingly thinking about their own interests, Bharat cannot simply remain a market for the world. We must become self-reliant in the defence sector. We must set ourselves the goal of 

--- developing next-generation defence technologies and moving towards becoming a global supplier." 

"We must develop drones and counter-drone systems, and we must take leadership in hypersonic defence technologies."

ends 

Only 2.7% of Gen Z Cares Most About National Security ::: Shameful and partly fault of the elders

The recent protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and the subsequent agitations in Punjab and Jharkhand have shown how much importance Gen Z places on education.

The CVoter survey reveals that the youth are focused more on everyday issues. An overwhelming 53% of respondents revealed that employment, education and health were the biggest electoral issues.  

Inflation was the second-biggest factor at 13.1%, followed by corruption at 11.9%.Campaigns & Elections

The age-old issues of bijli (electricity), paani (water) and sadak (roads) were important to 8.2% of Gen Z respondents.
For 4.8% of those surveyed, law and order and women’s safety were the most important electoral issues.

What is striking is that national security was important for just 2.7% of India’s Gen Z.

This is partly shameful. Partly, it is the fault of the elders — families and society, including teachers.

Of course, Gen Z is inherently “selfish” in more ways than one.
From her modest experience as a middle-class woman, my wife says those born in India after 1980 “are a selfish lot.” Her diagnosis was not based on any survey. 

She says this in family circles and mainly does so to taunt herself, her husband, her parents and others in the small Tripura town of Kamalpur.  

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A CVoter snap poll offers an intriguing picture of India’s Gen Z voters, highlighting their concerns over employment, education and health while raising questions about their stated preference for younger  political candidates.Intelligence & Counterterrorism

New Delhi, August 13, 2026 — What should concern  political parties is that national  security was important for just 2.7% of India’s Gen Z, according to a recent CVoter snap poll. This is partly shameful and partly the fault of the elders — families, society and teachers.

Of course, Gen Z is inherently “selfish” in more ways than one.

Around 1,270 people were surveyed for the CVoter snap poll. As per the survey, conducted among those aged between 18 and 35 years, as many as 58.7% of respondents said political parties do not understand the concerns of Gen Z.

Only 20.7% felt they do. Interestingly, 20.5% remained silent and non-committal.

What should make Prime Minister Narendra Modi — a youth icon for long — take corrective measures is the fact that among respondents aligned with the BJP-led NDA, 54% said political parties do not understand Gen Z concerns. Only 26% replied in the affirmative.Security Products & Services

Now comes a modest consolation prize for the BJP and its “Chanakyas.” The figure was significantly higher among those supporting the opposition. India Today reported that around 64% said political parties were out of sync with India’s youth. Around 58.5% of those backing other parties held the same view.

The recent protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and the subsequent agitations in Punjab and Jharkhand have shown how much importance Gen Z places on education.

The CVoter survey reveals that the youth are focused more on everyday issues.

An overwhelming 53% of respondents revealed that employment, education and health were the biggest electoral issues.  

And I do endorse what she says. My experience, too, in my family circles and workplaces — journalism and non-journalism — is somewhat the same.  

I know friends and relatives who say, “A little bit of cheating for scoring good marks is okay.”

My mother would have caned us even for saying this. Old values, they say; and obviously, they reject them.

Left to me, I am scared of interacting with unknown teenagers. Even during Metro travel, I avoid asking youngsters even innocuous questions such as where they are going or what the time is by their watch.

Nevertheless, the CVoter survey also gave a glimpse into the voting preferences of Gen Z.

Around 33.3% underlined that “issues” were the key basis for deciding their vote. The choice of a leader was secondary for India’s Gen Z, at 20%. 

Only 13.9% of Gen Z respondents said they would primarily base their vote on the party.

Only a mere 7.7% said the candidate would be the key factor in their decision. Again, I would insist that some of these responses may not be truthful or genuine.   

There is nothing wrong with the surveyors per se. The younger generation is also more parochial and regional and, hence, also communal — divided by religions.

This is my experience based on my own findings and interactions. A few years back, a Pakistani scholar said the same thing about youths in his country.

I know Naga elders who say the Naga and non-Naga differences are more pronounced among the youth. Hence, it would be very rare for a Muslim or Christian youth to vote for Yogi Adityanath as a “performing chief minister” by some standards.

Similarly, Hindu youngsters would not be voting for Modi just because of his contribution to development or administrative measures. Here, Hindutva works in favour of Modi and also the likes of Yogi Adityanath.  

Otherwise, when the farmers’ agitation took place in 2020-21, youths — and especially educated youths, including Gen Z — should have dissociated themselves from the stir and openly backed Prime Minister Modi for the much-needed agricultural reform strategies and the three farm laws.

We are not exaggerating things here. It is a truism that winning the 2022 Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh became much easier for the BJP only after the three farm laws were withdrawn.

It’s simple: the youth, or Gen Z, too cannot run with the hare and hunt with the hounds.

The present Lok Sabha composition reveals a startling fact. The average age of MPs is 56 years. Only 11% of members are 40 years old or younger. In fact, there are only three “Gen Z” MPs.

Gen Z on Social Media and Nationalism

The survey has revealed that social media plays a significant role in shaping  political opinion among Gen Z.  Nearly half of the respondents — 49.3% — asserted that social media played a key role. No surprises here. The surprise was in the next question.Government Agencies

When asked whom they trust most on matters affecting their lives, “parents” were the overwhelming choice for Gen Z, at 75.1%. Friends were a distant second at 6.9%, followed by social media influencers at 6.8%.

Gen Z also wants greater youth representation in  politics.

Nearly three-fourths of those surveyed, 74.6%, said they would vote for young candidates if  political parties fielded them in elections.

This last statement ought to be taken with a pinch of salt.

If that was the case, Bolero rides and cash flow would not have happened or been required at all in a state like Nagaland.

Here, Nagaland is just an example. Most of my friends in different states will also agree.Campaigns & Elections

In Tamil Nadu, TV set distribution would vanish. And election manifestos everywhere, by every party, would not be about free laptops and bicycles.

So, when Gen Z says it would vote for younger candidates if political parties fielded them, I do not entirely trust the claim. The gap between what young voters say in surveys and what actually influences their voting behaviour deserves a much closer look.

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Has Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio made a 'premature' statement ? :::: Occasion - a solemn one - Independence Day speech and why he was in hurry ?

 "As assured by the Hon'ble Union Home Minister (Amit Shah) in the meeting (Feb 5, 2026), a committee under the chairmanship of Minister of State for Home Affairs, Govt of India, has been recently constituted to lead the Naga peace talks," 

- Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said in his customary Independence Day speech on Saturday, Aug 15, 2026.  

  (Independence Day celebration gathering at Assam Rifles ground, Tuensang -- not far from Myanmar border) 

In normal circumstances, none would have bothered to write or analyse so much of a statement from a chief minister in office.  But in Delhi - media, other analysts and those in the know of things otherwise feigned ignorance about constitution of such a panel. 

That's the whole trouble and the issues involved. Of course, if Home Minister himself has assured such a panel can easily come. But there are obvious curiosity factor. The composition of the committee is a big issue and quite an exciting matter. 

As on Aug 15, 2026 - the central government has two Ministers of State (MoS) in the council of ministers - Nityanand Rai and Bandi Sanjay Kumar. So it has to be clarified which among the two would be heading the committee. 

Indications are such a responsibility can be given to Nityanand Rai. He hails from Bihar and the incumbent Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav is also that state. If the matter is already settled about which MoS - the composition comprising officials remain to be seen. 

For no clear reasons, earlier interlocutor and the then state Governor R N Ravi was shunted out of Nagaland and for that the state leaders had once drawn pride. However, the NPF leadership has lately retracted from that position and claimed appointments of Governors and their removal are sole prerogative of the central Govt. 

This argument is a bit childish as it was never alleged or argued from any quarter that the Nagaland Govt had ordered replacing of Ravi as the Governor.  The point made politically was crystal clear - the state government had lobbied for his ouster. In fact, the differences between Rio and Ravi had come to the fore when the latter flagged off the 'delicate' chapter of Nagaland power polity - the extortion. 

Here, the NSCN-IM and probably a few other underground organisations were unnerved. But what made the state government 'uneasy' about such a subject is somewhat a puzzle to some and a peculiarly 'well known' reason for many.  Subsequently, A K Mishra (a retired IPS officer) was appointed as a special peace emissary and in 2026, he too was suddenly replaced. 

The new incumbent Ajit Lal is also a former IPS officer. 

The issue of formation of a committee is actually a big snub to the state government and also the NSCN-IM. The initial demand beginning September 2024 was for a ministerial level negotiator. 

On the face value, it did not make much sense as Home Minister Amit Shah was himself was supervising the parleys during the tenure of both R N Ravi and A K Mishra. 

Secondly, in Nov 2024, Rio led a Naga ministerial delegation and held a late night meeting with Shah. The demand for a new interlocutor (miisterial/political level) was rejected. Of course, no official statement came from anywhere. That 'evening meeting' was a big setback and after the meeting - even body guards and drivers could smell the mood of their bosses. 

Apparently, outside Home Minister's house - no minister was even talking to each other and simply got into their respective vehicles.  

In this  blog piece ... some information as was available was shared:  

https://bestofindiarestofindia.blogspot.com/2024/11/govt-of-india-rejects-demand-to-replace.html   

Link (old blog - Nov 21, 2024)

"Negotiators are just messengers or envoys ... do not blame R N Ravi or Mishra" - was a refrain from the Govt in Nov 2024.

This implies the negotiators were only discharging their duties on behlaf of the Government and the concerned decision makers in Delhi.

The fact of the matter is Mishra was appointed as centre's new representative to talk to Naga rebels in 2021 after R N Ravi was shunted out as Governor of Nagaland. 

Of course, Ravi - who had PM Narendra Modi's blessings and enjoys good rapport with NSA Ajit Doval was made in charge of gubernatorial position in Tamil Nadu. Earlier this year just on the eve of elections in West Bengal; Ravi moved as Governor in the key eastern state which BJP was more than keen to capture. 

On Aug 14, 2026 - it was no rocket science when NSCN-IM vice chairman V S Atem told journalists in Dimapur that - 

appointment of a ministerial level interlocutor was their demand.

Atem was more than categorical:

"Yes, that was our demand...". 

He also made it clear that "the Nagaland state (Govt) is only facilitating. They are giving the boost ... that's all". 

Does it mean, any humiliation or disgrace for an elected government -- the answer lies in the 'womb' of self-pride and somewhat a bit in the administrative basket called protocol.

West Bengal Governor Ravi pays floral tributes at the portrait of Sri Aurobindo at Sri Aurobindo Bhavan in Kolkata, Aug 15, 2026 

ends 

Under Congress, India was grouped with Brazil, Indonesia, South Africa and Turkey :::: 12 years changed a lot - India surpassed Japan to become world's fourth-largest economy and now only behind the US, China and Germany

 "The world had dumped India's economy in the 'Fragile Five'. People's efforts have resulted in taking India to a major economy in the last 12 years," PM Narendra Modi said in his I-Day speech taking a swipe at the Congress-led UPA era. 

Last year, India surpassed Japan to become the world's fourth-largest economy. 

It is now only behind the US, China and Germany.  

The 'Fragile Five' term was coined by global investment bank Morgan Stanley in 2013 to describe the five emerging economies considered particularly vulnerable to external financial shocks. 

India was grouped along with 

Brazil, Indonesia, South Africa and Turkey.

PM Modi and the BJP have frequently invoked this controversial label to contrast India's economic situation during the UPA era with its subsequent growth since 2014.  

India was included in the 'Fragile Five' grouping at a time when its economy was saddled with a combination of 

high inflation, a widening current account deficit, a falling rupee and heavy dependence on foreign capital.  

In 2014, India moved out of the 'Fragile Five' grouping as its external balances improved and foreign exchange reserves (think of it as India's emergency dollar savings account) strengthened.

The IMF even declared that among the emerging economies, India stood out for bringing about the sharpest macroeconomic turnaround.

Post Jantar Mantar flip-flop; PM Modi diagnoses the malady well and says .. “ideological Naxalism" or “dimagi Naxalism" was still looking for opportunities to promote violence and anarchy"

“For years, people with a Maoist mindset sat occupying spaces within the corridors of power in the country. Even as advisors in government committees, this Maoist mindset influenced policies," the prime minister said.  

PM Modi said India could no longer move forward with “small dreams" and stressed that big dreams, strong resolve and greater aspirations would raise the country’s capabilities and efforts. He said the goal of a developed India must be achieved through the collective efforts of 140 crore Indians.

Importance of Numbers :

12 Years: The timeframe within which India broke out of the “Fragile Five" to become the world’s fastest-growing major economy.

40 --  The number of countries with which India has successfully concluded Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to expand global markets for MSMEs and local farmers.

22: -- The number of regional languages into which the speech was translated in real-time using the ‘Digital India Bhashini’ AI tool

200 GW: The massive newly designated target for India’s nuclear energy capacity.

Five -- 

The number of new nuclear reactors actively being set up to handle alternative clean energy demands.

Viksit Bharat 2047: ‘Small Dreams Will No Longer Suffice’

At the centre of the Prime Minister’s address was the goal of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047, when the country completes 100 years of Independence.

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the country had succeeded in weakening armed Naxalism but warned that what he described 

as “ideological Naxalism" or “dimagi Naxalism" was still looking for opportunities to promote violence and anarchy.  

“Where once Naxalite bullets were fired, where once the earth used to be blood-stained, today in those very Naxal regions… the tricolour of development, trust, and effort is flying," he said.

Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Independence Day, PM Modi said the government had fulfilled its pledge to free India from Naxal violence, adding that Maoist insurgents no longer had the strength to survive in regions that were once affected by armed conflict.  

“Naxalism had drenched the earth in blood," PM Modi said, recalling the BJP-led government’s arrival in power in 2014. 

He said the government had then pledged to free the country from Naxalism. The prime minister said areas once known for Naxalite violence were now witnessing development and a greater sense of trust.  He drew a distinction between armed Maoist insurgents and those he alleged continue to subscribe to Maoist ideology. “We succeeded in eliminating the armed Naxals in the forests and freeing the country from that crisis. But the armed Naxals are gone. However, ideological Naxalism (dimagi Naxalism), this ideological Naxalism is looking for an opportunity," he said.

PM Modi alleged that this ideological current was attempting to “dig up paths of violence and anarchy" and called for those subscribing to it to be identified and isolated. “These ideological Naxals must be identified. These ideological Naxals must be isolated," he said. 

The prime minister also linked his warning to the country’s younger generation, calling for young Indians to be kept connected with what he described as the mainstream path of nation-building and the goal of making India a developed country.

His remarks mark a widening of the government’s Naxalism narrative; from the armed insurgency that operated in parts of central and eastern India to a broader warning about what PM Modi characterised as an ideological or intellectual ecosystem that could influence institutions and public policy.