Business Standard

India Inc on Saturday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day address, saying it looks forward to working with the government to translate his announcements into actionable programmes to boost investment, jobs, innovation and manufacturing. Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII, said, As we mark 80 years of Independence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address puts people, sustainability and India's global strengths at the centre of our development journey. His call for Atma

Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Saturday extended greetings and best wishes to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and the people of India on the occasion of the country's 80th Independence Day. Shah's message comes amid Nepal's efforts to strengthen ties with India, with the Himalayan nation seeking greater economic cooperation and connectivity with its immediate neighbour. On the occasion of India's 80th Independence Day, I extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to PM @narendramo

The proposed network is not India's first civilian volunteer force, but Modi's announcement points to a larger, modernised role for citizens in national emergency preparedness

The Prime Minister called for greater capabilities in hypersonic technology, drones and counter-drone systems, adding that India must emerge as a global supplier of advanced military equipment

The Prime Minister said India should turn its creative industries, handicrafts, yoga and Ayurveda into global capabilities, with WAVES showcasing its soft power

The Prime Minister also called for chemical-free farming and said the government had absorbed higher global fertiliser costs to keep urea and DAP affordable for farmers

The framework places manufacturing, food processing and technology at its core, alongside infrastructure, defence, the green and blue economy, and India's soft power

Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a 75-minute Independence Day speech on Saturday, the shortest in four years and his fourth shortest ever. On India's 79th Independence Day last year, Modi had delivered a 103-minute speech, breaking his own record of a 98-minute address delivered on the 78th Independence Day in 2024. His longest Independence Day speech before 2024 was for 96 minutes in 2016, while his shortest speech was in 2017, when he spoke for 56 minutes. Modi delivered his 13th consecu

The programme would mark a sharp expansion of existing AI skilling efforts, with Modi also highlighting opportunities in aviation, sports, green mobility and other emerging sectors

The Prime Minister said the initiative would combine digital public infrastructure, teachers and talent to reduce coaching costs for poor and middle-class families