On the eve of India’s 79th Independence Day, President Droupadi Murmu delivered a powerful address highlighting the nation’s resilience, strategic clarity, and rising global stature. Her speech focused on national security, infrastructure development, sporting triumphs, education reforms, and India’s space programme, portraying a confident and self-reliant nation.
Operation Sindoor: A Landmark Defence Success
President Murmu condemned the “cowardly and utterly inhuman” terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. She praised the armed forces for their swift and decisive response during Operation Sindoor.
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She described the mission — which destroyed terrorist infrastructure across the border — as a “landmark event in the global fight against terrorism” and an example of “strategic clarity and technical capability.”
#WATCH | President Droupadi Murmu says, “Artificial Intelligence is the next stage of technological advancement and has already entered our lives. The government has launched the India-AI mission to strengthen the country’s AI capabilities. It is also helping to build AI models… pic.twitter.com/qzfba0fC8W
— ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2025
Emphasising unity as the “most befitting response” to those seeking division, she lauded multi-party delegations of Members of Parliament who explained India’s stance on cross-border terrorism internationally. The President also linked the operation’s success to the Atmanirbhar Bharat defence initiative, noting that indigenous manufacturing had reached a critical level of self-sufficiency.
Kashmir Rail Link: Engineering Marvel and Economic Boost
President Murmu hailed the inauguration of the new rail link to the Kashmir Valley as both an engineering marvel and a catalyst for economic growth. She said the project would “boost trade and tourism in the region and open new economic possibilities,” and credited the Railways for innovating with advanced trains and coaches.
India’s Rising Sporting Prowess
Turning to sports, President Murmu celebrated India’s achievements on the global stage. She highlighted 18-year-old D Gukesh’s victory as the youngest world chess champion and the historic all-India final at the Women’s World Cup between Divya Deshmukh (19) and Koneru Humpy (38).
#WATCH | President Droupadi Murmu says, “In the healthcare sector, we have been witnessing a revolutionary transformation with a variety of initiatives under Ayushman Bharat, the largest healthcare scheme of its kind in the world. Under this scheme, more than 55 crore people have… pic.twitter.com/kBcUkrl8SX
— ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2025
She called sports a key measure of empowerment and predicted “transformative changes” under the upcoming National Sports Policy 2025. “Our daughters are our pride,” she said, adding that women were breaking barriers across sectors, including defence and security.
Education and Entrepreneurship: Building Future Leaders
President Murmu credited the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 with “aligning learning with values and skills with tradition,” creating an environment conducive to innovation and enterprise. She noted that employment opportunities were growing rapidly and that young entrepreneurs now had access to India’s most supportive ecosystem in history.
Space Programme Inspires the Next Generation
Highlighting Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s journey to the International Space Station, the President said it had “fired a whole generation to dream bigger” and would directly support India’s upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission.
A Nation at a Turning Point
President Murmu’s address projected India as a country confident in its defence capabilities, expanding infrastructure, excelling in sports, and inspiring youth through space exploration. She framed these developments as “landmark achievements” since Independence and concluded with a call for unity, self-reliance, and collective resolve in facing global challenges.
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