Key Points

With this being PM Modi's 12th address on Independence Day, he has given more consecutive addresses than former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who gave 11 consecutive addresses and 16 in total.

During his address, the Prime Minister hailed the abrogation of Article 370, saying how the mantra of 'One Nation, One Constitution" was accepted.

"When we brought the mantra of one country, one constitution to life by demolishing the wall of Article 370, when we accepted one nation, one Constitution as the mantra, then we revered Shyama Prasad Mookherjee. There are members of Panchayats from far-flung villages, representatives of Drone Didi, representatives of Lakhpati Didi, people from the world of sports, great people who have given something or the other to the nation and life are present here. In a way, I am seeing a miniature India here in front of my eyes. And today, the Red Fort is also connected with India through technology." PM Modi said.

PM Modi also mentioned that the 125th jayanti of Shyama Prasad Mookherjee, former union minister, and founder of Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the predecessor of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This celebration honours his 'lasting impact on India's political, educational, and cultural fabric.'

"Today we are celebrating the 125th jayanti of Dr Syama Prasad Mookherjee, Dr Syama Prasad Mookherjee is the first person to give his life for India's Constitution. Sacrifice for the Constitution," he added.

Praising how every Indian is carrying the tricolor with them today, PM Modi mentioned, "Over 140 crore Indians are carrying the colours of tricolor. Har Ghar Tirangana in every corner of country whether it is the deserts, Himalayan peaks, the edges of the sea, or densely populated cities. Everywhere there is one song, one slogan, the praises of our motherland are heard."

The success of Operation Sindoor will be celebrated during the I-Day celebrations this year. The view cutter at Gyanpath will have the Operation Sindoor logo, accompanied by floral arrangements themed around the operation.

Approximately 5,000 special guests, from different walks of life, have been invited to witness the celebrations at the Red Fort this year, including the Indian contingent of Special Olympics 2025, the winners of international sports events, the Gold Medalists of Khelo India Para Games, and the best-performing farmers trained & financially assisted under the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission.

To promote patriotic fervour among citizens and to celebrate the victory of Operation Sindoor, a number of band performances will be conducted pan-India for the first time on the evening of Independence Day celebrations. The performances will be conducted by the bands of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Indian Coast Guard, NCC, CRPF, ITBP, CISF, SSB, BSF, IDS, RPF and Assam Rifles at over 140 prominent locations throughout the country.

In August 2019, the Central government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, repealed Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, effectively ending the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcating the state into two Union Territories - Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

- ANI