India 'mother of democracy', diversity our strength: PM Modi in I-Day speech

Addressing the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort, the Prime Minister said that India has seen many ups and down through these years but sailed through due to its diversity and democratic nature.

"What have we not suffered? We faced food crisis, we became victims of war,... terrorism has created many challenges, innocent civilians were killed, the proxy war continued, natural disasters kept coming.

"We saw many ups and downs. But amid all this India continued to move forward. India's diversity is its power," the Prime Minister said.

He said that the world did not know that India had an inherent strength and that strength is democracy.

"India is the mother of democracy. When democratic minds walk with determination, then their power brings trouble even to the big sultanates of the world. This mother of democracy, this India has proved that we have a priceless potential," he added.

Calling the occasion a historic one, the Prime Minister hailed all those freedom fighters to make this independence possible.

"We are grateful to Gandhiji, Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Ramprasad Bismil, Rani Laxmi Bai and all other freedom fighters who shook the foundations of the British Empire.

"During the movement, there was not a single year where our freedom fighters did not face brutality and cruelty. Today is the day when, as we pay them our respects, we need to remember their vision and dream for India," he said.

The Prime Minister also recalled the contribution of tribal warriors like Birsa Munda, Tirot Singh and Alluri Sitarama Raju who played pivotal role in keeping the freedom struggle alive in every corner of India.

"There is something special about India. When we attained freedom there were many sceptics who doubted our development trajectory. But, they did not know that there is something different about the people of this land. They did not know that this soil is special," the Prime Minister said.

He said that India is an aspirational society where changes are being powered by a collective spirit.

"India is an aspirational society and such a society is an asset. The people of India want positive

changes and they want it at a quick pace. They also want to contribute towards it," he said.

Giving the example of the success of the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign, the Prime Minister said, "We have seen a rise in common consciousness of the love for the nation during our Har Ghar Tiranga campaign. It has been an example of the entire nation coming together to celebrate the spirit of our country."

The Prime Minister spoke of five core areas of focus in the next 25 years, calling "praan shakti" (source of life force).

He said that for the next 25 years the country needs to focus on the five resolves to make "Viksit Bharat" (developed India) by removing every ounce of slave mentality, finding pride in our glorious heritage, unity and fulfilling our duties.

Every trace of slave mentality has to be erased by making India "aatmanirbhar", the citizens need to unite and the nation will then be unstoppable if we focus on these five areas, he said.