Startup Originals Team
On India’s 79th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the vital role of technology self-reliance and innovation in the country’s vision to become a developed nation by 2047. His address laid out an ambitious roadmap for tech-driven growth across sectors ranging from defence and energy to digital sovereignty and healthcare.
Defence Self-Reliance and National Security:
PM Modi highlighted the success of Operation Sindoor as a powerful symbol of India’s growing defence autonomy, enabled by indigenous weapons and capabilities. He called upon innovators-especially the youth-to develop core technologies like jet engines domestically, further bolstering India’s strategic independence. Significantly, he introduced Mission Sudarshan Chakra, a state-of-the-art, multi-layered air defence shield inspired by Indian mythology, set to protect critical sites across the nation by 2035.
Technological Innovation and Digital Sovereignty:
The Prime Minister emphasized India’s remarkable progress in creating a home-grown AI ecosystem and outlined plans for domestic semiconductor chip production, targeted for launch by the end of 2025. He challenged Indian youth to develop indigenous social media platforms and operating systems to secure the nation’s digital infrastructure. PM Modi also spotlighted deep-tech, cybersecurity, and innovation as crucial levers for India’s global competitiveness.
Space and Energy Independence:
India’s achievements in space exploration featured prominently in the speech. The Prime Minister announced the upcoming launch of an Indian space station and praised the ecosystem of over 300 homegrown space startups. On the energy front, Modi celebrated the country surpassing its clean energy ambitions years ahead of schedule-meeting the 2030 target in 2025-and stressed the need to further multiply nuclear energy capacity by 2047.
Agriculture, Medicines, and Economic Self-Reliance:
Modi called for a renewed focus on producing fertilizers domestically, safeguarding both farmers and national food security. He urged greater investment in pharmaceutical research and development, reinforcing India’s status as the “pharmacy of the world,” and called for homegrown innovation in medicines, vaccines, and medical technology-with an emphasis on securing intellectual property rights.
Championing Swadeshi and National Pride:
Echoing the “Vocal for Local” initiative, PM Modi encouraged citizens to proudly promote and purchase India-made goods. He stressed that supporting Swadeshi products boosts entrepreneurship, industrial strength, and economic self-sufficiency-vital to building a resilient and prosperous nation.
Conclusion:
Prime Minister Modi’s speech firmly positioned technological and strategic autonomy at the core of India’s future. By calling the nation to pursue self-reliance, innovation, and global leadership across defence, energy, space, agriculture, healthcare, and the digital economy, he charted a clear path for India as it approaches its centenary in 2047.
