'India won’t bow to infiltrators or terror': PM Modi unveils Mission Sudarshan Chakra in I-Day address

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked India's 79th Independence Day with a rousing address from the historic Red Fort, his 12th consecutive Independence Day speech as Prime Minister. Donning a striking saffron turban, Modi spoke to the nation with a message rooted in national pride, resilience, and the vision of a self-reliant, developed India.

Addressing a large crowd he described as a "mini India," Modi hailed the sacrifices and strength of the Indian Armed Forces in tackling terrorism. “I salute our brave soldiers who punished the masters of terror beyond their imagination,” he said, adding that Pakistan has "lost its sleep" after Operation Sindoor, a reference to a recent military operation lauded for its strategic precision.

Modi unveiled Mission Sudarshan Chakra, a new weapon system aimed at thwarting any attempt by enemies to attack India. He said the mission will use the latest technological tools to secure strategic, civilian, and religious places across the country by 2035. Emphasising national security, the Prime Minister invoked the recently concluded Operation Sindoor, adding that had India not been self-reliant, it would not have been able to carry out such a complex military operation. “Being dependent on other countries is a recipe for disaster. We must be self-reliant to safeguard our national interests,” he asserted.

Modi also announced the establishment of a high-powered demographic mission to deal with the challenges posed by demographic changes due to infiltration. He said India will not allow infiltrators to grab the land of tribal communities. Highlighting internal security achievements, he said areas once known as "red corridors" of Naxalism have now become "green corridors of development", even producing world-class athletes.

Tributes and remembrance
During his speech, he paid homage to the framers of the Constitution, recalling the contributions of Dr Rajendra Prasad, Babasaheb Ambedkar, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. Modi also made a special mention of the women leaders of the Constituent Assembly, including Hansa Mehta and Dakshayani Velayudhan, highlighting their role in shaping a progressive Constitution.“Our Nari Shakti also played an important role in strengthening the Constitution of India,” he said.

The Prime Minister paid tribute to Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee, calling him the first to “sacrifice his life for the Constitution”. The government has launched year-long celebrations to mark Mookerjee’s 125th birth anniversary (from July 6, 2025, to July 6, 2026), with events including seminars, exhibitions, and youth outreach programmes.

Solidarity with disaster victims
Acknowledging recent natural disasters across India, including landslides and cloudbursts, Modi expressed condolences and solidarity with affected families. “Nature is putting us all to the test... In recent days, we have witnessed a series of devastating events. Our heartfelt condolences are with those affected.” He assured that both the Centre and state governments are working in close coordination to carry out rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts.

A look back, a vision ahead
Reflecting on the challenges India faced at the time of Independence in 1947, Modi said: “There were immense possibilities, and the challenges were equally big. But the journey of the past 78 years has been defined by resilience and progress.” He praised the efforts of India’s farmers, noting that post-Independence food security was a major challenge. “It was a challenge to ensure food for everyone, but our farmers made us self-sufficient,” he said.

Additionally, the PM called on citizens to continue working towards building a “Viksit Bharat” by 2047, the centenary of Independence.

Before his address, Modi paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat.