Realising the dreams of India’s freedom fighters

Narendra Modi, after surpassing Indira Gandhi's record to become India’s second-longest-serving prime minister (PM) in consecutive terms, will deliver his 12th address from the Red Fort on Independence Day. In the past Il years, PM Modi has enabled India's tectonic transformation, both at the grassroot level and global stage. In 2022, speaking at the 125th anniversary celebrations of freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju in Bhimavaram, he said, “New India should be an India of the dreams of freedom fighters who gave up their lives for our freedom.”

- CR Kesavan

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose would have been proud of our modern self-reliant armed forces and the spectacular success of Operation Sindoor. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar would have commended the government’s ushering in of social justice with financial inclusion.

Guided by the principle of antyodaya, governance under the present dispensation has lifted 25 crore Indians out of poverty, which would have been welcomed by Mahatma Gandhi. The abrogation of Article 370 and casting off colonial remnants with historic legislations like Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita would have been lauded by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Providing 94.3 core Indians with a social security safety net and empowering more than 14.5 crore small farmers with financial support would have won Rajendra Prasad’s approval. C Rajagopalachari would have cherished the sacred sengol being given primacy in our new Parliament building.