India’s 74th Independence Day celebration will go down in history as a celebration colonised under the power of an invisible killer virus named COVID-19. This year marks a masked
Independence Day celebration, carefully cordoned with social distancing. The uniqueness of this year’s Independence Day lies in the unmasking of a series of solutions and strategies paving the roadmap for India to face the upcoming challenges of the future with preparedness. Prime Minister Narendra Modi stood at the Red Fort for the seventh time on 15th August and delivered the Independence Day speech. As expected, the one-and-a-half-hour speech was motivating, inclusive and touched the lives of every Indian.
Prime Minister Modi recalled the sacrifices of the freedom fighters who fell to free India. He then expressed his obligation and gratitude to the brave soldiers, who martyred themselves guarding the entire topography from Line of Control (LOC) to Line of Actual Control (LAC). The message sent out was clear; infiltration whether military or through terrorist attacks will not be tolerated. He also stressed on “Vasundhara Kutumbaka” and placed himself inclined towards global brotherhood, peace and harmony.
With the COVID-19 pandemic looming across the world, the prime minister submitted his appreciation to the corona warriors and announced the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM).
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According to him, a digital initiation into the health sector benefitting the entire Indian population is the need of the hour. He was also optimistic regarding the ongoing research of the COVID-19 vaccine and shared that there would be a solution to the pandemic soon as three vaccines are under test.
PM Modi unveiled the plans of an independent and self-reliant Bharat, united towards progress with home grown manpower and skill set calling it the creation of Atmanirbhar Bharat or Self-Reliant India. The ‘Made in India’ concept 
that PM Modi has been talking and promoting was given a new dimension when he added the “Made for the world” facet today, thus announcing a significant message—“Made in India, for the world”. The message conveyed is clear that Indians are ready to take a big leap into global manufacturing in the coming times and give tough competition to the present global leaders of manufacturing.
PM Modi went ahead and touched the “Vocal for Local” chord through which he tapped on the essence of swadeshi. He made a forecast for a swadeshi market that had to be fuelled by the lucrative support of fellow Indians for the Below Poverty Line (BPL) population enabling them to respectfully live, grow and produce in India. The “Vocal for Local” facet also looks at mobilising the country’s huge consumer base to look homeward. This message is indicative of an atmosphere, where India will produce for the world and use its own products. Re-skilling the ignored BPL masses and up-skilling them for a better tomorrow would tackle the woes of poverty and also fill the production gap.
An important message in the 74th Independence Day speech of PM Modi was towards recognising the importance of the Middle Class of India and creating opportunities with least government interference allowing to propel them with more force in various directions of innovation and improvement.
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Another interesting declaration came in the shape of ‘Project Dolphin’, where PM Modi stressed on strengthening biodiversity and reducing carbon footprints by focusing on the conservation of river and sea dolphins. He also announced ‘Project Lion’ to save the Asiatic lions.
The speech also had its focus on women, youth, agriculture, space, the National Education Policy (NEP). Although this year the Independence Day celebration was scaled down, the security arrangements were optimal. The presence of 4000 security personnel on guard and the surveillance of 300 cameras made the venue on high alert zone. The DRDO developed anti-drone system had also been deployed near the Red Fort.
